Changes to migration laws passed by Senate

The Senate has approved a controversial overhaul of Australia's migration laws, including the reintroduction of temporary protection visas.

WHAT IS A TEMPORARY PROTECTION VISA?

* TPVs are granted to people who arrive in Australia without permission, whether by air or sea

* The visa is reassessed every three years against the situation in an applicant's homeland

* Those found to still be owed protection will be granted another TPV or a safe-haven visa

* First introduced by the Howard government in 1999, they were scrapped by Labor in 2008 and replaced with permanent protection visas

* Opposed by refugee advocates because they leaves people in "limbo"

WHAT DID THE CROSSBENCH ACHIEVE?

* Australia will increase its refugee humanitarian intake by 7500 places over four years

* People on TPVs can leave the country in special circumstances, such as to visit a sick relative.

* The 25,000 asylum seekers now on bridging visas will be allowed work rights, denied to them by the previous Labor government.

* Australia's interpretation of the UN Refugee Convention will be more aligned with its aims and principles

* The fast-tracking process to clear a backlog of asylum claims will be limited to the 30,000 cases left over from Labor government.

WHAT OTHER MAJOR CHANGES WERE IN THE BILL?

* Boosted powers to turn back asylum seeker boats and stave off potential High Court challenges

* Children of unauthorised maritime arrivals born in Australia will also be classed as UMAs

* Immigration minister granted the power to limit the number of protection visas granted

* Fast track refugee assessment and remove appeal access to the Refugee Review Tribunal