When his mobile phone started to ring, Rajasegaran Manikam's heart skipped a beat.

Key point: Immigration Minister David Coleman overturned a department ruling that would have seen the family deported to Singapore

Immigration Minister David Coleman overturned a department ruling that would have seen the family deported to Singapore The ruling means Mr Manikam's 18-year-old daughter, Vanisre, can continue her Year 12 studies without fear of deportation

The ruling means Mr Manikam's 18-year-old daughter, Vanisre, can continue her Year 12 studies without fear of deportation Wannon MP Dan Tehan had petitioned his federal Liberal counterpart to ensure the family could stay in Australia

For the past three weeks, the father-of-two had been living in limbo, awaiting a call that would determine whether he and his family would become illegal immigrants in the place he had called home for the past seven years.

The call was from his immigration lawyer. She had good news.

"I can't believe it, honestly, it's taking so long to sink in and doesn't feel real," Mr Manikam said.

Immigration Minister David Coleman had overturned a department ruling that would have seen Mr Manikam and his family deported to Singapore.

Mr Manikam, unbeknownst to him, was born with a degenerative kidney disease that meant he would eventually need medical care that the Immigration Department deemed "significant".

It was on these grounds that his family was told they were going to have to leave Warrnambool within 21 days.

The happy news came with less than a week to go until their deportation deadline.

Mr Manikam said being granted permanent residency was dream come true for his family.

Vanisre Rajasegaran, pictured with her brother, can now continue her Year 12 studies without the fear of deportation. ( ABC South West Victoria: Daniel Miles )

"We have the stability now we've been looking for for years," he said.

"We now know where is our future, where is our pathways. We don't have to have all these hurdles in front of us anymore.

"Thank you isn't enough — if not through support we've had we couldn't do it.

"This is beautiful, it's what Australia is — a beautiful land full of beautiful people."

'So much happiness' for VCE student

The ruling means Mr Manikam's 18-year-old daughter, Vanisre, can continue her year 12 studies without the fear of deportation.

The VCE student said she was looking forward to being able to concentrate on her studies again.

"I'm so happy beyond words. Mum and Dad were screaming on the phone," she said.

"I was excited, I was in tears, I couldn't even express how I felt. It was so much happiness … there were tears of joy too.

"I just feel like at the moment — anything is possible. I thought this past few months were hard to get through and that nothing was in my control but now I do believe anything is possible."

Raj Manikam and his family say they now have the stability they've been looking for for years. ( Supplied )

Vanisre launched an online petition calling on Mr Coleman to help her family.

In 10 days, the petition gathered more than 90,000 signatures.

"I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart, it wouldn't have been possible without the community," she said.

Mr Manikam's pride for his daughter is overwhelming.

"Proud is a very small word for what she's done and how far she's come," he said.

"She's been the main reason we're here in our future. I'm just so blessed to have a daughter like that — so blessed."

Ministerial intervention

Federal Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan, petitioned his federal Liberal colleague to ensure the family could stay in Australia.

He labelled the decision a victory for community.

Federal Member Dan Tehan petitioned his federal Liberal counterpart to keep the family in Australia. ( ABC News: Andrew Kennedy )

"This is wonderful news for the family, community, and shows the south-west community has an incredibly big heart," he said.

"What I did was represent the community, makes some representations to the minister to show how the community wanted the family to continue to be able to contribute to south-west Victoria.

"My job was made incredibly easy by the wonderful work and incredible outpouring of support the community had for this family."

The Manikam family will celebrate the decision at an event in Warrnambool on Sunday.