Overview
Subclass 866 (Protection) is Australia’s onshore permanent protection visa — for people who arrived lawfully and engage Australia’s protection obligations under the Refugees Convention or complementary protection.
Defining features:
- Permanent residence on grant, for lawful arrivals.
- The written claims decide the case — detail, consistency and corroboration matter more than anything else.
- Different route for unauthorised arrivals: temporary protection (785/790) then the subclass 851, policy-dependent.
- Nominal charge (~AUD 50).
This area is legally sensitive and outcomes depend entirely on individual circumstances. Seek professional advice early — VisaAffairs will refer matters outside our practice scope to appropriate specialists.
Key eligibility
- In Australia, having arrived lawfully on a valid visa
- Engage Australia's protection obligations — refugee grounds or complementary protection
- Identity, security and character requirements
Process
- 01
Lodge the protection claim
A detailed statement of claims with supporting evidence — the written claims carry the case.
- 02
Interview + assessment
The Department tests credibility and the protection grounds.
- 03
Grant — permanent residence
A refusal may be reviewable at the ART. Unauthorised arrivals follow a different route (TPV/SHEV → subclass 851).
Estimated cost
| Department of Home Affairs fee (per immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) | AUD 50 |
| VisaAffairs service fee | Quoted after initial consultation |
| Third-party costs (health, AFP check, translations, etc.) | Varies by case |
How VisaAffairs helps
Clear eligibility assessment
VisaAffairs reviews your full situation against current rules — no boilerplate templates.
Document set reviewed item-by-item
Every piece of evidence is checked before lodgement — minimising the risk of request for further information.
Case officer tracking
VisaAffairs monitors ImmiAccount and responds to case officer requests on time.