A group of principals and teachers have this week launched the No Child Left Behind campaign, calling on the federal government to prevent children and families becoming homeless and destitute in the current economic...
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Refugee Week 2020 kicks off with examination of intersections of First Nations and refugee rights
As millions of people around the world speak out against the marginalisation of black and minority ethnic communities, Refugee Week launches this Sunday with an examination of the issue in relation to the refugee...
Media release: NSW joins interstate counterparts in helping asylum seekers left with no federal support
The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has welcomed today’s New South Wales Government announcement of emergency funding to support people seeking asylum who have lost jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic and been left...
Legislation an attempt to hide Government failure to act on COVID risks in immigration detention
The Federal Government’s announcement about legislation to extend search powers in immigration detention is a shameless attempt to distract attention from its failure to address the acute health risk to hundreds of...
Leading medical epidemiologist warns of major public health risk in excluding groups from COVID-19 response
A leading epidemiologist has warned of the risks to public health in excluding vulnerable groups.
Public health at risk as JobKeeper legislation leaves temporary visa holders with no support
The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has renewed calls for the extension of crucial support to include all people in Australia, dismayed that the COVID-19 stimulus package legislated by Parliament today excludes...
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Latest publications
Refugee resettlement to fall short of national and global targets, as COVID-19 pandemic halts travel
Summary of April 2020 Working Group on Resettlement Briefing on Covid-19 The COVID-19 pandemic has put paid to the Australian Government reaching its target of 17,100 offshore refugee resettlement visas in 2019-20 and...
Concerns about systemic cruelty and arbitrariness in Australia’s immigration detention system raised with two United Nations bodies ahead of their visits to Australia
Key issues noted about Australia’s immigration detention system: The increasing systemic cruelty of Australia’s immigration detention facilities The design, staffing and procedures of immigration detention follow a...
Keeping the Australian Government accountable: a guide
This guide is for refugees, people seeking asylum, and people advocating on their behalf. It provides information about different ways in which people can raise their issues with the government, and how they can find...
The use of non-judicial accountability mechanisms by the refugee sector in Australia
This report looks at the use of non-judicial accountability mechanisms, such as Parliament and the Australian Human Rights Commission, by the refugee sector in Australia.
RCOA Impact Report 2018-19
We promote humane and compassionate policies for people seeking safety in Australia and around the globe. While we cannot predict the wars, conflicts and oppressive regimes that will force people to seek asylum, we can...
Submission into the Migration Amendment (Strengthening The Character Test) Bill 2019
Our key concerns We welcome the opportunity to restate our significant concerns about this Bill. We have consistently expressed our profound concerns about the continuing expansion of executive powers under the visa...
Momentum builds as UNHCR plans first global refugee forum
Report on Australian NGO and Refugee Advocacy In Geneva – June-July 2019 The growing impact of refugee-led advocacy and plans to use December’s first Global Refugee Forum to build momentum behind the Global Compact on...
A new model for community refugee sponsorship in Australia
This position paper is published by the Community Refugee Sponsorship (‘CRSI’), an independent organisation established by the Refugee Council of Australia, Save the Children Australia, Amnesty International Australia...
A new opportunity for global leadership: Options for Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Program in 2019-20
Consultations for the 2019-2020 Humanitarian Program For more than 25 years, the Refugee Council of Australia has been gathering community views on the Refugee and Humanitarian Program. Every year, we conduct a series...
Submission into evaluation of the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) new business model (NBM)
In December 2018 the Department of Education and Training commissioned Social Compass to conduct an evaluation of the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) new business Model (NMB). RCOA welcomes the opportunity to voice...
The Federal Budget: What it means for refugees and people seeking humanitarian protection
What does the Federal Budget hold for refugees and people seeking humanitarian protection? This analysis provides a full briefing of those changes.
Barriers and exclusions: The support needs of newly arrived refugees with a disability
© UNHCR/G.Welters Executive summary Due to experiences of conflict, torture and displacement, people from refugee backgrounds are more likely to have a disability than other populations. However, until 2012, people with...
