The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has welcomed today’s announcement that fully vaccinated refugee and humanitarian visa holders will be able to enter Australia from 1 December 2021. RCOA chief executive officer...
Media centre
The Refugee Council of Australia often speaks to the media. We can provide background and comment on issues of the day. We have a number of staff who are experts on almost all areas of refugee policy.
We also regularly issue media releases.
Our latest media releases
Refugee Council celebrates 40 years
As the Refugee Council of Australia celebrates its 40th anniversary, CEO Paul Power says the organisation “sadly” is as essential as ever before for refugees to “get a fair go”. Mr Power said this was because political...
Former refugee elected to lead RCOA
Former refugee elected to lead RCOA Refugee-led advocacy has been significantly boosted with the election of a former refugee from Bosnia-Herzegovina as head of Australia’s peak body on refugee policy. Jasmina...
Who you can talk to
Our experts
Paul Power, Chief Executive Officer
Topics: Breaking news, major international stories, refugee communities, the national picture, the refugee sector, and more.
Kelly Nicholls, Director of Communications
Topics: Our major campaigns, breaking news, offshore processing.
Our policy experts
Rebecca Eckard, Director of Policy
Topics: People seeking asylum in Australia, Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS), Australia's refugee and asylum policies.
Sahar Okhovat, Senior Policy Officer
Topics: Offshore processing, detention in Australia, rural and regional settlement
Asher Hirsch, Senior Policy Officer
Topics: Education, citizenship, community sponsorship
Shukufa Tahiri, Policy Officer
Topics: Employment, refugee communities, self-representation, young people
Hot topics
Statistics
What we have learnt from the latest responses to Senate Questions on Notice
The responses to Senate Questions on Notice after the 2020-21 Additional Estimates round were published on 7 May 2021. We analysed the questions put to the Department of Home Affairs and are working to incorporate the...
Background information
Documentation Problems for Asylum Seekers and Refugees from Afghanistan
Expert opinion from Ali Reza Yunespour, Melbourne University Establishing the identity of a person seeking asylum or a refugee is a crucial element of Australia’s temporary and permanent residency visa and citizenship...
Reports
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...
