Stefan and Halyna Nykyforuk, aged 45 and 41 respectively, were only one day from returning to Ukraine when they were informed that all men of conscription age (18-60) would be banned from leaving and would be required to defend the country from a Russian invasion.

The couple were working in Poland and was thrown a lifeline from Mr Nykyforuk's uncle Ray Slywka.

"I said I could send them some air tickets and they could come and stay with me rather than go straight home to Ukraine," Mr Slwyka said.

"I have a spare ensuite bedroom and a car they can use."

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The couple is extremely worried about their two sons, aged 22 and 18, who were at home when the invasion began and are still there.

Their 22-year-old son, Stefan Jr, is a police officer and has been equipped with a machine gun and is fighting on the frontline as Ukraine struggles for its future.

Stefan Jr should be getting married but his wedding plans have been thrown into chaos and have been indefinitely postponed.

"They are very anxious about their children," Mr Slwyka said.

Mr and Ms Nykyforuk do not speak English but were able to meet others who have fled Ukraine at the Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in North Melbourne.

A special Easter mass was held for Ukrainians in Australia.

The couple are being assisted by the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria to have their tourist visas converted to something more stable and long-term.

Social welfare officer for the association, Theresa Jaworski, said her office had received close to 2000 enquiries for visa support since the war began.

"We have received about 500 phone calls and the rest have been through Facebook, Messenger and email," she said.

"Some people are calling directly from Ukraine and others are Australian citizens who want to help their family or friends get a visa."

Ms Jaworski has helped the Nykyforuks apply for a six-month humanitarian visa but more permanent visa options could become available in the future.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has flagged a new subclass of temporary humanitarian visas, valid for three years, would be made available soon to Ukrainian temporary visa-holders.

It will allow people to work and access Medicare and school-aged children to continue their education.

"The focus to date has been on facilitating travel for those seeking to leave Ukraine or neighbouring countries urgently due to the crisis," Mr Hawke said.

"Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Morrison government has been progressing visa applications from Ukrainian nationals as a priority, particularly those with Australian connections, across temporary and permanent visa categories.

"Around 5000 mostly temporary visas have been granted to Ukrainians since 23 February 2022."

Mr Slywka was born in the Ukraine and was a toddler when his parents migrated to Australia in 1949.

"My parents were displaced persons and they had no money," he said.

"The Australian government accepted them and paid their passage to Australia on the condition they would work on a farm at Myrtleford for two years to pay it back.

"So we did and Australia has been an excellent country. I'm retired now but I've done lots of things. I used to own a milk bar."

Mr and Ms Nykyforuk are currently working as fruit pickers at Harcourt to make ends meet. Mr Slywka said he hoped his nephew and his family would be able to settle in Australia.

"People have been very welcoming of them," he said.