Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement today that it will increase the annual Refugee and Humanitarian Program to 20,000 places in 2023-24. “The expansion of...
Media releases
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Refugee Council of Australia renews calls for a royal commission into offshore detention contracts
Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) CEO Paul Power said the newly announced Australian Government investigation into allegations that millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money were spent on suspect offshore detention...
Children and the elderly among those facing a harsh winter after seeking asylum
Members of Parliament will hear of the dire situation facing people seeking refugee protection at a Parliamentary Friends of Refugee Group Homelessness Week event on August 9th. The event, organised by the Refugee...
Pain continues in PNG 10 years on
Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has called on the Australian Government to recommit to finding solutions for 80 refugees still suffering in Papua New Guinea 10 years after the two governments signed their offshore...
Government must act on pledge for more refugee places as global displacement reaches all-time high
Today’s release of a new global report on forced displacement highlights the need for the Albanese Government to act on Labor’s pledge to increase Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Program, the Refugee Council of...
Refugee Council of Australia kicks off Refugee Week celebrations
To celebrate Refugee Week, which runs from 18-24 June 2023, the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has coordinated a range of activities giving voice to refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia who continue to...
Asylum issues
Budget provides no answers on Government’s plans for refugee program
Last night’s 2023-24 Federal Budget has left Australians with no answers about the Albanese Government’s plans to act on its commitment to expand the Refugee and Humanitarian Program or to reverse devastating cuts to...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
