The Legal Services Commission offers a free legal advisory service to immigrants and refugees through its Adelaide office.
Our migration legal advisory service includes the provision of information and advice (but not representation) regarding:
All assistance provided to people by the migration legal advisory service is subject to a merits test, as funding is limited and new matters can only be accepted within the capacity of the migration lawyers. If our service is unable to assist, our staff will attempt to make a referral to another appropriate provider.
Please note: this service does not extend to advice for all visa types, for example we generally do not assist applicants for student or skilled visas.
For an appointment, please telephone (08) 8111 5539. Interpreters can be arranged for those who need them, and should be requested at the time of booking an appointment.
On Monday 13 February 2023 the Commonwealth government announced a pathway for permanent residency for holders of Temporary Protection (TPV) and Safe Haven Enterprise (SHEV) visas.
Those people who currently hold either a TPV or SHEV will be transitioned to an application for a Resolution of Status visa (subclass 851) automatically.
People who have held a TPV or SHEV but who currently do not hold a visa will be able to apply for a Resolution of Status visa once the Minister lifts the bar. This will be in late March 2023.
A letter will be sent to advise when an application can be made.
This will apply only to those current or former TPV and SHEV holders who have not had a visa cancelled or refused.
If you hold a Temporary Protection Visa or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa that is shortly due to expire you will need to make a further application for a TPV or SHEV. This application, once lodged, will be converted to a Resolution of Status visa.
The majority of Resolution of Status visa applications are expected to be completed within 12 months.
You are entitled to free legal advice and assistance and people living in South Australia can contact the Legal Services Commission SA by telephone on (08) 8111 5750 (9:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday to Friday) or email to ROS@lsc.sa.gov.au.
Interpreting services can also be arranged if needed.
More information is available on the Department of Home Affairs' Resolution of Status page and the Applying for a subsequent TPV or SHEV page.
As a result of recent changes to Australia’s migration law, if you hold a subclass 449 Humanitarian Stay (Temporary) visa, you are eligible to apply for a permanent humanitarian visa. You will be contacted by the Department of Home Affairs about this and they will invite you to apply. You cannot apply until you are invited by the Department. In the meantime, you should:
Gather any information and documents relevant to your visa application now so that you are ready to lodge the application when you are invited to apply. See the Application Form on the Department's website for more information.
The Legal Services Commission is able to provide free assistance to subclass 449 visa holders to apply for a permanent humanitarian visa. For an appointment, please telephone (08) 8111 5539. Interpreting services can also be arranged if needed.
Last updated: 23 February 2023