Asylum Seeker Welcome Centre

www.aswc.org.au

Australia’s Migration Program

Skilled67.5%

Fam ily32.3%

M igration progam170,000

Refugees Offshore6000

O ther (onshore and SHP)7750

Hum anitarian Program13,750

Refugees and Asylum Seekers

A refugee is someone who is… ‘outside their country of origin… is unable or unwilling to return… due to a well-founded fear of persecution on the basis of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group’

This is a legal definition, defined as part of the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees

The Humanitarian Program

Offshore component – found to be refugees outside Australia; then helped to settle here

– Refugee program - UNHCR

– Special humanitarian program – family

Onshore component – apply for protection after arriving in Australia; must ‘prove’ they are refugees before here – i.e. Asylum Seekers

– Irregular arrivals (detention)

– Community-based asylum seekers

Asylum seekers – the facts

It is legal to seek asylum in Australia, irrespective of mode of arrival

Nearly all asylum seekers who arrive by boat are found to be genuine refugees.

Asylum seekers make up less than 5% of Australia’s annual immigration.

Those arriving by boat make up less than 2% of Australia’s annual immigration.

Real stories – Mau

Christian minister in village in Burma Persecution based on religious practices Fled to Thailand / Bangkok Temporary visa – visit friend Applied for protection upon arrival

Real stories - Chaman

Of Hazara ethnic minority, Afghanistan Taliban – recruiting, killing boys / young men Lost family members People smugglers to Indonesia, Australia –

Nauru for three years Protection. Settled in Brisbane.

The Asylum Seeker Welcome Centre

The Asylum Seeker Welcome Centre aims to create a safe and welcoming place for asylum seekers and provide a range of support services relevant to their needs.

The Centre operates on a community development model, with a strong emphasis on social support and programs designed to foster community connection.

The ASWC’s clients

Asylum seekers living on the community

Former asylum seekers (continued support after permanent residency attained)

Approx. 40 clients at any one time

The Refugee Status Determination Process

Multi-stage process: complex, lengthy, unpredictable. Can be re-traumatising.

Visas, entitlements and access to support services change at different stages

New language, culture

Asylum seekers are often separated from family

Socially isolating

Client Support

Computer and phone access

Welcome, social support and community

Variety of programs designed to foster community

Support with housing, employment, education, emergency relief, etc.

Programs and Projects

Dinner program

Saturday Lunch

English classes

Computer classes

Photography and Art programs

Conversation sessions

Social and recreational activities

Funding and Support

Auspiced by Broadmeadows Uniting Care

Support from Brunswick Uniting Church

Good Shepherd and Mary McKillop sisters

Moreland City Council

Victorian Multicultural Commission

Other funding sources

– Grants

– Fundraising

– Private donations