Calls to expedite access to humanitarian visas promised to Ukrainians by federal government

Victoria Elgey was worried about the length of time the humanitarian visa process was taking. (ABC South East: Keira Proust)

Victoria Elgey is busy at work in her cafe on the main street of Cooma in the NSW Snowy Mountains but her mind is never far from home.

While war rages overseas, she is among many Ukrainian-Australians who have struggled to maintain a normal life while trying to help their friends and loved ones abroad.

"It's horrifying what's happening there.

"There is no safety."

When Ms Elgey is not busy working at the cafe, she spends her time trying to help those in Ukraine.

"We are helping my friend who is coming to Australia with her four children from Ukraine," she said.

"They have visitors visas, which is good, and I'm really looking forward to seeing them."

Ms Elgey runs a popular cafe in Cooma, which is adorned with the Ukrainian flag. (ABC South East: Keira Proust)

Visas on the horizon

But Ms Elgey is concerned that, despite federal government promises, policies allowing them to stay longer than the three months permitted in a visitor visa are not yet in place.

The federal government in mid-March announced it would provide temporary humanitarian visas for Ukrainians.

The temporary humanitarian visas would allow Ukrainians who have already arrived in Australia to stay for up to three years with the ability to work, study and access services like Medicare.

Cooma locals have placed sunflowers on the Ukrainian flagpole to show their support. (ABC South East: Keira Proust)

Refugee Council of Australia chief executive officer Paul Power said the policy to implement these visas was not actually in place at the time the announcement was made.

"All of the final details are being sorted out and approved at the moment, so it should happen very soon," he said.

The RCA's Paul Power said policies were not in place when the visa announcement was made. (ABC News: Tim Swanston)

Ms Elgey said the policies needed to be implemented quickly to help those in dire need of support.

"When they do have the humanitarian visa, we might be able to ask for more support from local people," she said.

"We need to have the clearance from the [Department of] Immigration so that these people can [also] stay here for longer than three months."

Ms Elgey said the temporary visas will help many Ukrainians adjust to life in Australia. (ABC South East: Keira Proust)

The Department of Home Affairs said it is still working on transitioning Ukrainians in Australia onto temporary humanitarian visas.

"The Department will provide further advice to support the transition of eligible and interested Ukrainians onto a Temporary Humanitarian Concern visa in due course," a spokesperson said.

"Further, the government will work closely with the Ukrainian community to ensure permanent visa options are made available to this cohort at an appropriate time."