Latest News

Expanded excision law a new low in refugee protection

The international system of asylum would collapse if other countries followed the lead of Australia in passing legislation to expand its excision policy to the entire country. Read more here.

Right to work fundamental for asylum seeker families

Bridging visas issued to asylum seeker families who arrive by boat must include the right to work to ensure vulnerable people are not left destitute. Read more here.

Detention of children no longer a last resort

The Australian Government is walking further away from its commitment to use detention as a last resort for minors by confirming plans to send children to immigration detention facilities in Darwin and Western Australia. Read more here.

People displaced by climate change require new solutions

The crisis responses necessary and available to refugees will not be an answer to future displacement caused by climate change, the Refugee Council of Australia said today. Read more here.

Government urged to release children from Manus Island detention

RCOA has backed a call by Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers member Paris Aristotle for the Australian Government to ur gently review the policy of keeping children in immigration detention on Manus Island. Read our media release here.

Parliament urged to support Bill to resolve indefinite detention

RCOA has encouraged a Senate Committee to support a Bill before the Australian Parliament to provide alternatives to the prolonged and indefinite detention of recognised refugees with adverse ASIO security assessments. Read more here.

Opposition's denial of appeal rights more punishment for asylum seekers

The Australian Opposition's proposal to deny asylum seekers arriving by boat access to an independent review of their refugee claim is further discrimination based on their mode of arrival. Read more here.

2013-14 Intake Submission released

RCOA's submission on the 2013-14 Refugee and Humanitarian Program is now available for download here. The submission focuses on international refugee needs, the recommendations of the Expert Panel on asylum seekers and community processing of asylum seekers.

Regional refugee protection in Asia-Pacific is unfinished business

The Australian Government must step up efforts to improve the inadequate levels of protection faced by refugees and asylum seekers that drive the movement of dangerous boat journeys from Asia to Australia. Read more here.

Promoting the participation of refugees in sporting activities

This report investigates the role of sport in assisting refugee settlement.

Read more about: A Bridge to a New Culture

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Welcome

The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) is the national umbrella body for refugees and the organisations and individuals who support them. It has more than 140 organisational and 500 individual members. RCOA promotes the adoption of flexible, humane and practical policies towards refugees and asylum seekers both within Australia and internationally through conducting research, advocacy, policy analysis and community education.

Our website contains a wealth of information and resources to help you find out about the key issues affecting refugee and asylum seekers both in Australia and internationally, the work of RCOA and the practical ways you can support refugees and asylum seekers.

Below is a guide to navigating the website and finding information and resources you need.

About Us

Learn more about the aims, work and history of RCOA; the different branches of our work including the A Just Australia campaign and the Australian Refugee Foundation; our Board, staff and members; our sources of income; the principles which inform our work; and our Annual General Meeting. You can also download copies of our previous annual reports and audited financial statements.

Resources

Under the "Resources" menu, you can access a range of resources on refugee and asylum seeker issues, including:

RCOA’s annual intake submission, which contains feedback and ideas gathered through nationwide consultations on the planning of Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Program;
Research reports and papers produced by RCOA;
Submissions by RCOA to government inquiries on refugee and asylum seeker issues;
Statements and letters developed and supported by RCOA;
A range of national and international statistics, including links to statistical publications and tools;
Directories of agencies supporting and providing services to refugees and asylum seekers;
Personal stories of former refugees now living in Australia;
Lists of useful resources and publications on refugee and asylum seeker issues;
A glossary of common terms and acronyms used in the refugee sector; and
Links to other useful websites.

Fact Sheets

RCOA’s fact sheets provide information on a wide variety of issues relating to refugees and asylum seekers, ranging from international refugee law to Australia’s asylum policies to challenges faced by newly-arrived refugees when settling in Australia. You can also find responses to common myths and hoax e-mails about refugees and asylum seekers.

Our fact sheets provide a useful overview of key issues and are a good starting point for research. Many of the fact sheets also include links to further information and resources.

FAQs

Providing answers to the most common questions and requests received by RCOA, our FAQs page is a good starting point if you are searching for information about our work or issues relating to refugees and asylum seekers.

News & Events

Download our media releases and read the latest news on issues relating to refugees and asylum seekers. Under this menu, you will also find our nationwide calendar of upcoming events, a monthly digest of refugee and asylum seeker issues in the media, copies of our monthly bulletins and information on how to join our mailing list.

Get Involved

Find out how to support the work of RCOA through making a donation, becoming an individual or organisational member and joining our mailing list. You will also find details about employment and volunteering vacancies at RCOA and other organisations and information about opportunities in a variety of areas, including research, academia, education, the arts, sport, competitions and award nominations.