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...
Media releases
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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...
Jobs Summit: Let’s build on the potential of humanitarian migration
Expanding opportunities for Australian employers to recruit skilled refugees from overseas and creating a visa pathway for bridging visa holders filling important job vacancies are among options the Refugee Council of...
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...
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.
Asylum issues
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...
Australians welcome NZ’s generosity to refugees in offshore processing
Media release 24 March 2022 The New Zealand Government’s announcement today of 450 resettlement places over three years for refugees caught up in Australia’s offshore processing regime will be welcomed by millions of...
Australia’s treatment of Afghan refugees
More than 23,000 Afghans have come to Australia – or sought to do so – to escape the Taliban, but although they are escaping the same crisis, their treatment in Australia has varied greatly, depending on their mode and...
International issues
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...
Refugee Council of Australia welcomes the Federal Government’s decision to provide temporary humanitarian visas for Ukrainians
The Refugee Council of Australia has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of temporary humanitarian visas for Ukrainian people seeking safety in Australia. “Enabling Ukrainian people to arrive in Australia and...
Refugee groups urge immediate action to reinstate humanitarian visas ahead of Federal Budget
The proposal includes 20,000 humanitarian visa places plus an additional intake of 20,000 places for refugees from Afghanistan. Community and refugee groups from across Australia have come together with the Refugee...
Support for Australian refugee communities impacted by coverage of crisis in Ukraine
As the situation in Ukraine deteriorates, the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) is concerned not only for the impact the conflict has on the enormous number of people forced to flee their homes and seek protection in...
Australians want a more open-hearted national response to refugees
The Australian Government must reverse its recent cuts to the Refugee and Humanitarian Program to meet community expectations that the nation can do more to respond to refugees displaced from escalating conflicts in...
Australia’s Afghan resettlement response a bitter disappointment
Media release 21 January 2022 The Australian Government’s refugee resettlement response to the Afghanistan crisis is so bitterly disappointing that it will leave Afghan Australians and their millions of supporters...
