The Prime Minister’s claim that the signing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration would compromise its immigration policy and border security is nonsense, the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA)...
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Manus Island: Australian and PNG leaders must act urgently to save lives
The misery of indefinite detention on Manus Island is pushing increasing numbers of refugees and people seeking asylum to suicide attempts and self-harm, a new report by the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) and...
Australian Hazara community fears massacre as Taliban attack Hazara districts in Afghanistan
The recent large scale attacks and atrocities by the Taliban against the Hazara people in Afghanistan has resulted in the killing, kidnapping, and displacement of family members and relatives of thousands of Hazara...
RCOA condemns attacks on Hazaras in Afghanistan and call for end to forced returns
The Refugee Council of Australia strongly condemns escalating terrorist attacks on Hazaras in Afghanistan and calls for the international community and Afghan Government to act swiftly to prevent further violence...
Cuts to support for people seeking asylum put pressure on states and community organisations to help those made homeless
Today will see hundreds more people seeking asylum exited from basic but vital support in the latest round of Federal government cuts These cuts could result in extra costs of up to $120 million for states and community...
Victory for children on Nauru but they cannot hold on until Christmas
The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) welcomes reports that the government has taken the advice of thousands of doctors and committed to removing all children off Nauru, by the end of year. However RCOA spokesperson...
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Latest publications
Until when: The forgotten men of Manus Island
This joint report, in partnership with Amnesty International, tells the story of the men who have been sent by Australia to Manus Island, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and what has happened to them after they were forcibly...
After the boats have stopped: Refugees stranded in Indonesia and Australia’s containment policies
This brief provides an overview of Australia’s role in stopping refugees leaving Indonesia en route to Australia, and highlights the precarious situation refugees now face in Indonesia.
RCOA Impact Report 2017-18
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...
An unnecessary penalty: Economic impacts of changes to the Status Resolution Support Services
This paper finds that the changes to Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS) will force people into situations of material poverty rather than assisting them to find employment. Removing income and case management...
Refugee Alternatives: Conference Report 2018
The Refugee Council of Australia and Melbourne Social Equity Institute's conference, Refugee Alternatives: Improving policy, practice and public support, was held 13-14 February 2018. The two-day conference, hosted at...
Supporting refugee farming initiatives in rural and regional Australia
Many refugees and former refugees come from farming backgrounds in their countries of origin and still strongly identify with their farming roots. This project works in partnership with a community-based food...
Submission on the implementation of OPCAT in Australia: Second stage of consultations
This submission includes recommendations in relation to the implementation of the Optional Protocol on the Convention against Torture. The feedback is submitted to the second stage of civil society consultation...
Submission into the implementation of the national disability insurance scheme in NSW
This submission includes recommendations to improve support and access to services for members of refugee communities with a disability during the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Australia’s man-made crisis on Nauru
Six years after the Australian government began sending people seeking asylum to Nauru, there are still around 900 people left on the island, including an estimated 109 children. All of them will have been there for...
Submission into the Migration (Validation of Port Appointment) Bill 2018
This submission strongly opposes the Bill that would retrospectivley authorise the actions of the Australian Government in taking people to Ashmore Reef so that they were treated as offshore entry persons.
Submission into the statutory review of the Tribunals Amalgamation Act
This submission expresses our concerns about the amalgamation of the tribunals in the Tribunals Amalgamation Act 2015, including our concerns about the independence of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, and the...
Submission into the next generation of employment services
This submission begins with the reason refugees are likely to need more intensive employment assistance and the assistance of specialist providers. We then address issues relating to the compliance requirements and the...
