The National Advocacy Group on Women on Temporary Visas
Experiencing Violence (a collaboration of over fifty state and
national peak bodies, service providers and other organisations)
has recently
published a number of proposed reforms to visas for women
facing domestic violence based on their 2018
report. This report highlighted the existence of a national
crisis, requiring immediate law and policy reform. The group argues
that women and their children have the right to be safe from all
forms of violence in Australia, regardless of their visa
status.
Expanding protection
The family violence provisions of the Migration
Regulations 1994 (Cth) of the Migration Act 1958
operate to allow people on certain visa pathways (mostly Partner
visa applicants) to continue with their application for permanent
residency in Australia after the breakdown of their relationship if
they have experienced family violence by their intimate
partner.
