2023-24 FEDERAL BUDGET: WHAT IT MEANS FOR REFUGEES AND PEOPLE SEEKING HUMANITARIAN PROTECTION Key points: The Budget papers make no comment on the size of the 2023-24 Refugee and Humanitarian Program, with indications...
Media releases
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UN High Commissioner for Refugees visits Australia
In April 2023, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, visited Australia for a three-day tour of meetings with Australian Government representatives, NGOs and people from refugee backgrounds...
Refugee Council of Australia helps launch first Parliamentary Friends of Refugees Group
The Refugee Council of Australia, along with key organisations and communities in the refugee sector, will support the launch of the first-ever multi-party Parliamentary Friends of Refugees Group at Parliament House...
Refugee Council welcomes plan to end cruel temporary protection policy
The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) welcomes the Albanese Government’s long-awaited announcement of its plans to end the cruel and unnecessary policy of temporary protection. “Today’s announcement from Immigration...
Refugee Council welcomes lifting of restriction on refugee family reunion
The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) welcomes today’s announcement that the Albanese Government will abolish a ministerial direction which placed refugees who arrived by boat last in decisions about family reunion. ...
Human rights organisations condemn Albanese Government trying to push through a rushed Bill to force people back into detention
The Albanese Government introduced legislation that will force people recently released from immigration detention, including people seeking asylum and refugees, back into detention.
Asylum issues
RCOA clarifies media misinterpretations of submission concerning Australia’s migration system
The Refugee Council of Australia responds to media misinterpretation of its submission on Australia's migration system.
Refugee Council welcomes steps to ease the pain of separation for refugee families
The Refugee Council of Australia welcomes changes that will make it easier for refugees on temporary visas to travel and for refugee families to reunite.
Budget 2022: Funds for language classes and visa assessment dwarfed by extra spending on offshore processing
Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has welcomed the Albanese Government’s increased Budget investment in the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), faster visa processing and support for temporary entrants from Ukraine...
Thousands of people seeking asylum living in poverty
In Anti-Poverty Week (16-22 October), the Federal Government must say how they will address the needs of thousands of people seeking asylum living well below the poverty line in our community. Fewer than 2,000 people...
Removal of safety net leaves new Ukrainian arrivals at risk
The Refugee Council of Australia welcomes the news that the Australian Government will continue to give visa priority to Ukrainians fleeing the brutal attack on their country, but we are concerned that those who are...
Refugee Week 2022 launches with a clear message that it is time to heal
Refugee Week 2022 launches on Sunday 19 June, with the theme of 'Healing' - a healing that promotes harmony and togetherness in our shared common humanity.
International issues
Refugee Council calls for greater focus on getting people at risk out of Afghanistan
The Refugee Council of Australia is calling for the Australian Government to increase efforts to assist people at risk to get out of Afghanistan, as the first anniversary of the Taliban’s violent takeover of Kabul...
Our letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
This letter congratulated Anthony Albanese on his election as Prime Minister and outlined some of the most pressing refugee policies facing his government in our letter below.
Three refugee issues requiring urgent change in 2022
Ahead of the Federal Election, the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has outlined three major issues that require immediate attention and action in 2022. ROCA is calling for: Priority 1: Finding real and lasting...
Closure of Park Hotel detention welcome but more refugees need freedom
Today’s release of 23 refugees – eight from Melbourne’s Park Hotel and 15 from other detention centres – is a small but important step towards ending Australia’s cruel punishment of people who sought protection from...
Refugee Council of Australia welcomes final report on Australia’s engagement in Afghanistan
The Refugee Council of Australia welcomes the final report of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee’s inquiry on Australia’s engagement in Afghanistan. We endorse the recommendations and look...
Government listens to community pleas by adding 16,500 new places for Afghan refugees
The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has welcomed the announcement in the 2022 Federal Budget of 16,500 additional places for refugees from Afghanistan over the next four years. “By setting aside 16,500...
