An extra 4000 refugees will call Australia home each year and Newstart will be urgently reviewed if Labor wins the next federal election.
Bill Shorten survived a push from the Left faction at Labor's national conference to soften border protection policies, and also didn't commit to increasing dole payments.
Mr Shorten's factional allies secured a backroom victory on Newstart and refugees to ensure the opposition leader had his way five months out from the federal election.
"You can have secure borders and you can live up to our humanitarian obligations. You just require leadership," Mr Shorten told the conference in Adelaide on Monday.
"We (also) believe in the greatness of the Australian safety net."
The two announcements went some of the way to soothing tensions between Labor's factions over lifting the dole and welcoming refugees.
The Community Sponsored Refugee Program will over time be expanded from 1000 to 5000 places annually, in addition to the 27,000 yearly humanitarian intake.
The program allows state and local governments, community organisations, businesses, unions and faith-based organisations to sponsor humanitarian entrants into Australia.
A Shorten Labor government will also give half-a-billion dollars United Nations High Commission for Refugees over five years.
Mr Shorten said he would look to take up New Zealand's offer to resettle refugees from Nauru and Manus Island immediately on similar terms with the United States agreement.
The Labor leader also promised to release the findings of the Newstart review within 18 months of taking power.
Newstart hasn't risen in real terms since 1994, prompting advocacy groups and Labor's Left faction to call for a $75-a-week increase on the current rate of $275.
"That explicit platform commitment wasn't supported by our leadership due to its expense," NSW Left faction delegate Darcy Byrne told the conference.
The party also promised to abolish the controversial Community Development Program work-for-the-dole scheme meant to help indigenous people in remote Australia.
It will be replaced because Labor says it punishes indigenous job seekers compared to their city-based counterparts.
Labor also committed to establishing a voice to parliament designed by indigenous people and enshrined in the constitution.
On the final day of the conference Labor's new national executive will be decided, and Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard and Paul Keating will be given life membership of the party.
