Recognising Australia as home to the world’s oldest continuous living culture is central to the nation achieving its potential as a successful and open multicultural society. Much is being said this week about whether...
News
Our latest news – what’s happening in the refugee sector.
UN member states challenge Australia’s refugee and asylum policies
Forty-seven UN member states raised concerns about and recommended changes to the Australian Government’s refugee, asylum and immigration detention policies when Australia’s human rights record came up for its third...
Media release: Release of medevac refugees
Media release: Statement by Paul Power CEO of the Refugee Council of Australia The Refugee Council of Australia welcomes the decision by the Federal Government to release dozens of refugees who were previously...
The digital era of the Face to Face Schools and Community Program
Since 2014, the Refugee Council of Australia has been bringing refugee speakers to schools in the greater Sydney and Melbourne regions to share their personal stories as part of our Face to Face schools and community...
New data reveals children of people seeking asylum left hungry as impact of COVID- 19 crisis deepens
As Australia celebrates low case numbers of COVID-19 and early signs of economic recovery, the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has today released new figures revealing the extent of a deepening crisis amongst people...
Homelessness and Hunger Among People Seeking Asylum During COVID-19
In August 2020, the Refugee Council of Australia surveyed charities, asylum support agencies and volunteer groups to understand better the situation that they and their clients are facing as a result of the COVID-19...
Face to Face Community and Schools Program receives a ZEST Award Nomination
The Community Engagement team are delighted about the ZEST nomination of the Face to Face Schools and Community Program for the 2020 Outstanding Project Promoting Social Cohesion and Community Harmony Award. We would...
#YearOfWelcome: October Action
My name is Deena and I’m writing to you from the Refugee Council of Australia. We’re now into month 10 of the Year of Welcome. Thank you for coming along on the journey with us this far, despite the challenges that...
Media release: Government’s decision to slash support for people seeking asylum will deepen worsening crisis, say refugee organisations
A coalition of refugee organisations has condemned the federal government’s decision to slash support to people seeking asylum in the 2020-21 Budget. This decision, they say, puts over 100 000 people, including around...
Media release: Cut to Australian resettlement robs refugees of hope at a time of global crisis
The Federal Government has used its 2020-21 Budget to cut Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Program by 5000 places a year and halve its financial assistance program to people seeking asylum while increasing funding...