Seeking asylum in Australia

You may be visiting this website because you are a refugee yourself, looking for help. RCOA is unfortunately unable to assist with applications for refugee status or other migration matters. We are not qualified to provide legal advice, nor do we sponsor refugees for resettlement in Australia.

This page contains information and useful links for people seeking asylum in Australia or applying for resettlement from overseas.

If you are in Australia...

Applying for a Protection Visa

People who are in Australia can apply for refugee status under Australia's onshore protection program. There is one visa available for people onshore applicants: the Protection Visa (Subclass 866), which is designed for people who are refugees as defined by the 1951 Refugee Convention. Information on applying for a Protection Visa can be found here.

Applications for refugee status are assessed by Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). DIAC's website, www.immi.gov.au, has information about settling in Australia and how to make an application for a visa. Information on applying for humanitarian visas can be found here: www.immi.gov.au/visas/humanitarian and contact details for the Department can be found here: www.immi.gov.au/contacts

Legal advice, services and support

There are a number of organisations in Australia who can assist you with your application for asylum and provide services and support while you are waiting for your application to be assessed. A list of these organisations can be found on our asylum services page.

If you outside Australia...

Seeking resettlement

People who are outside Australia can apply for resettlement under Australia's offshore resettlement program. Information on applying for offshore humanitarian visas can be found here.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) refers refugees to the Australian Government for resettlement in Australia. UNHCR has a website at www.unhcr.org and contact details for UNHCR offices throughout the world can be found at www.unhcr.org/pages/4a324fcc6.html

Applications for refugee status are assessed by Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). DIAC's website, www.immi.gov.au, has information about settling in Australia and how to make an application for a visa. Information on applying for humanitarian visas can be found here: www.immi.gov.au/visas/humanitarian and contact details for the Department can be found here: www.immi.gov.au/contacts

Sponsorship for resettlement

If you have contacts or relatives in Australia, they may be able to “propose” or “sponsor” you for resettlement under Australia's Special Humanitarian Program (SHP). Further information on the SHP can be found here.

You may wish to contact the Sanctuary Australia Foundatio, an organisation which offers sponsorship assistance and advice to people in need of resettlement. The Foundation has a website at www.sanctuaryaustraliafoundation.org.au