Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA)

Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) We are Australia's national umbrella body for refugees and people seeking protection, and the organisations and individuals who support them.

It was a relief last Thursday to welcome the news that the Albanese Government would maintain the Refugee and Humanitari...
31/08/2026

It was a relief last Thursday to welcome the news that the Albanese Government would maintain the Refugee and Humanitarian Program at 20,000 places per year, following reports from earlier in the day that the program would be cut by nearly a third.

We'll continue our advocacy to protect the humanitarian program, and push the Albanese Government to its goal of 27,000 places in the years to come.

According to ABC News, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has "guaranteed" the Refugee and Humanitarian Program will not be...
27/08/2026

According to ABC News, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has "guaranteed" the Refugee and Humanitarian Program will not be cut, despite reports earlier today that the program would be cut by 6,250 places.

While this is extremely welcome news, we should not and will not cease our advocacy for the protection of the humanitarian program. We will continue our calls for:
- the Refugee and Humanitarian Program to be maintained, strongly opposing any efforts to reduce it
- the expansion of protection pathways in addition to the 20,000 places currently offered by the program
- Australia to continue to play a constructive international role in refugee protection

We will also continue our work to fight for fairness in Australia’s migration and refugee protection system.

Together, we can push for a humanitarian program and protection system that upholds fairness and compassion.

❗BREAKING: There's media speculation that the Albanese Government will cut the humanitarian program by almost a third.If...
27/08/2026

❗BREAKING: There's media speculation that the Albanese Government will cut the humanitarian program by almost a third.

If it goes ahead, the Government would not only betray values held dear by its Party's own members and supporters, but its Party platform, which has held the goal of increasing the humanitarian program to 27,000 places for over a decade.

Read our statement to the media: https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/proposed-refugee-program-cut-betray-labor-party-values/

Migration is too important to be left to reactive policymaking or political bidding wars. It's time for an evidence-base...
19/08/2026

Migration is too important to be left to reactive policymaking or political bidding wars. It's time for an evidence-based national conversation about a migration system for the future.

We've joined business and civil society organisations to call on the Australian Government to convene a National Migration Summit this year.

Read our joint statement: https://www.ssi.org.au/national-migration-summit/

The Federal Government has proposed major changes to Australia’s migration system that could have serious consequences f...
18/08/2026

The Federal Government has proposed major changes to Australia’s migration system that could have serious consequences for refugees, people seeking asylum and migrant families.

Write to your Federal MP today and urge them to protect fairness, rights and family unity in Australia’s migration and refugee protection system. https://action.refugeecouncil.org.au/protect-fairness-migration-email-your-mp

We've joined calls for the Federal Government to stand firm against pressure to appear tougher on migration.Together wit...
05/08/2026

We've joined calls for the Federal Government to stand firm against pressure to appear tougher on migration.

Together with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), RACS - Refugee Advice and Casework Service and Human Rights Law Centre, we've raised our serious concerns regarding the expected sweeping changes to Australia's migration system. These changes will reportedly include further restrictions on the work rights of people seeking asylum and their ability to appeal protection decisions.

These changes could force people seeking asylum into poverty and increase dependence on charities already stretched to their limits.

The flow-on effects and even further unintended consequences of these proposed changes would be a blight on this Government and on Australia.

Community organisations are already doing everything they can to support people seeking asylum experiencing or facing ...
05/08/2026



Community organisations are already doing everything they can to support people seeking asylum experiencing or facing homelessness.

They're providing food, clothing, blankets and referrals to healthcare, but they can't provide long-term accommodation or the financial support people need to get back on their feet.

This Homelessness Week, we're calling for federal and state governments to take practical steps that would extend homelessness support, regardless of visa status.

Everyone in Australia should have a safe place to call home, regardless of visa status. This Homelessness Week, we're ad...
04/08/2026

Everyone in Australia should have a safe place to call home, regardless of visa status. This Homelessness Week, we're advocating for action to make sure people seeking asylum aren't left behind.

75 years to the day the Refugee Convention was signed, its promise of protection is as relevant as it ever was.
28/07/2026

75 years to the day the Refugee Convention was signed, its promise of protection is as relevant as it ever was.

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Surry Hills, NSW

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+61292119333

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