Mr Ruddock said priority would continue to be given to the regions of the former Yugoslavia, the Middle East and Africa.
Most SACs require proposers of applicants to be close family members resident in Australia.
Mr Ruddock said that if the number of Onshore Protection Visas granted rises above 2,000, the excess will be drawn from the overseas element of the Program. Similarly, if the number is less than 2000, the excess will be transferred to the overseas element. A more detailed breakdown of these four components will be announced in the near future. Today s announcement continues the Government's commitment to deliver a separate, effective and well targeted Humanitarian Program which puts the resettlement needs of genuine refugees first.