New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet is "more than willing" to help Ukrainians fleeing Russia's invasion resettle in his state.
Mr Perrottet has written a letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, which he posted to social media on Sunday, that said NSW is "ready to assist the Commonwealth in whatever way necessary" should the invasion "result in significant displacement of Ukrainian people from their homeland".
"My government is more than willing to facilitate the resettlement of Ukrainians seeking to make Australia their new home," Mr Perrottet wrote.
"We have a strong Ukrainian community here in Sydney and I am confident any new arrivals will be welcomed with open arms."
Mr Perrottet said any arrivals from Ukraine should be added on top of the current Commonwealth refugee intake, rather than be included within the existing cap.
"I would not want them to displace other vulnerable people already being considered under these programs," he wrote.
More than 150,000 Ukrainian refugees have now crossed into neighbouring countries, many of them to Poland, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said.
"Displacement in Ukraine is also growing but the military situation makes it difficult to estimate numbers and provide aid," he tweeted on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters after visiting a Ukrainian church service in Sydney on Sunday, Mr Morrison said visa applications from Ukrainians were being processed as a priority.
“We will also be providing in the months to come and in the years to come support through our humanitarian program, but not just the humanitarian program,” he said.
Visas will be issued through "all aspects" of the immigration program, Mr Morrison said, including the student and family streams.
"The humanitarian program will not be the only program through which we are providing support."
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham earlier in the day said the government was "having discussions" with UN agencies about the humanitarian response to the crisis.
"As people seek to make refugee claims then, of course, we will work as part of that international response to assist and no doubt to resettle individuals," he told Sky News.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs said "consideration of humanitarian support options will be undertaken in conjunction with key partners to provide targeted support".
Prime Minister Scott Morrison attends mass in support of Ukraine during a vigil in Sydney Source: AAP / Brendon Thorne/AAP
The Australian government was criticised last year for offering to take in a after the Taliban rose back to power in August.
A Senate inquiry in November heard the government .
Last month, , the government said it would provide at least 15,000 places for Afghans in its humanitarian intake .
Advocacy groups labelled that announcement "misleading", saying it was a commitment within existing quotas and not additional places.
