Form 842 explained: Australia's offshore humanitarian visa (subclasses 200–204)
What Form 842 is, the five humanitarian subclasses it covers, what it costs, and where to get free help from UNHCR and community legal services before paying anyone. Figures as at September 2026.
Read the full guide, with official sources →
Watch
Chapters
- 0:00 Form 842 is the application for Australia's offshore humanitarian visa
- 0:14 Five subclasses
- 0:33 Already in Australia?
- 0:47 Subclass 202 usually needs a proposer in Australia
- 1:02 What it costs
- 1:14 Covered, and not covered
- 1:25 Subclass 202 is lodged online through ImmiAccount
- 1:39 Before you pay anyone
- 1:54 No one can guarantee a visa.
- 2:08 Where to read more
Transcript
Form 842 is the application for Australia's offshore refugee and humanitarian visa. Here's what it covers, what it costs, and where to get help for free.
It's assessed against five subclasses. Refugee, subclass two hundred. In-country Special Humanitarian, two oh one. Global Special Humanitarian, two oh two. Emergency Rescue, two oh three. And Woman at Risk, two oh four.
All of them are offshore visas. You have to be outside Australia when you apply. If you're already in Australia and seeking protection, that's a different visa: the onshore Protection visa, subclass eight six six.
The Global Special Humanitarian visa, subclass two oh two, generally needs a proposer in Australia. That's an eligible person, family or organisation, who lodges Form 681 alongside the application.
What does it cost? There's generally no visa application charge for these subclasses. The one exception is the Community Support Program, which has its own separate fee structure.
The government also covers the required health examinations. Travel to Australia is not covered, so visa holders or their supporters usually pay for that themselves.
Since the first of July twenty twenty five, subclass two oh two applications are lodged online, through ImmiAccount. Refugee applications more often come through a UNHCR referral than a direct application.
The most important part. Before paying anyone, contact UNHCR or a community legal service. Free specialist help exists, from services like RACS, IARC, and your state's Legal Aid.
And protect yourself. Humanitarian applicants are a known target for fraud. Nobody can guarantee a visa. Anyone in Australia charging for immigration help must be registered, and you can check that for free.
The full guide, with the official sources, is on migratio.com.au. The link is in the description.
Short versions
- Form 842 costs less than you think (0:31)
- Sponsoring a relative on the 202 visa? (0:28)
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