Australia will offer a path to permanent residency for thousands of Hong Kong citizens, while suspending its extradition agreement with the city in response to China's crackdown on personal freedoms and dissent.
The changes apply to people already in Australia, offering safe haven and a path to remaining in Australia.
Temporary work visa holders and student visa holders currently in Australia will have their visas extended, and will have the opportunity to apply for permanent residency after that period.
It is understood the visa changes will affect about 10,500 students and 1,500 people on other relevant visas, most of whom are already in Australia.
But while announcing the changes, Prime Minister Scott Morrison did not detail any plans for a humanitarian intake of Hong Kong residents.
"The most significant impact of the decisions we've made today are for those around 10,000 people who are already in Australia," he said.