From the frontlines: A growing healthcare crisis

From the frontlines: A growing healthcare crisis

“Often we have to paper over the cracks of untreated conditions and a lack of access to the system.” – Emily Cumming, Health Manager at the Asylum Seekers Centre.

This is the reality Emily sees every day.

From our on-site health clinic, Emily has a clear view of what happens when healthcare is treated as a privilege instead of a human right.

She shares, “We have supported people denied medical access solely because of their visa status including people with stage four cancer, or presenting in critical condition at emergency departments.”

“When healthcare is tied to visa status, people fall through the cracks, fast.”

Real people, access denied

Emily and our health clinic team, who also work in other hospitals, report that the severity of cases presenting at the Asylum Seekers Centre is worse than in most other health settings.

“People seeking protection are trapped in a punitive system where work rights and Medicare can be revoked arbitrarily – sometimes for minor visa issues, sometimes because of bureaucratic delays beyond their control.”

Around one in three people we support have no access to Medicare. Without it, people delay care.

“Conditions escalate”, Emily explains. “What starts as something manageable becomes much more serious and harder to treat.”

Saba* went without antenatal care until 34 weeks because she couldn’t afford it. By the time she was seen, preventable complications had put her at risk of stillbirth. What should have been routine became a medical emergency.

Tim* came to the Centre living in his car, struggling to breathe, unable to lie flat. After years without access to healthcare, he thought this was normal. In reality, he was facing life-threatening heart failure.

Buboy*, in his 30s, is living with advanced chronic kidney disease. A transplant could save his life, but he’s excluded from accessing it because of his visa status.

Preventable crises and broader impacts

“From a clinical perspective, a lot of this harm is entirely avoidable with early access to care,” Emily explains.

Emergency departments become the last resort.

“When people are locked out of healthcare, they don’t disappear — they get sicker. And eventually, they need more urgent, more expensive care.

“This actually increases pressure on hospitals and emergency departments.” 

A simple truth

Healthcare is a human right. But right now, access depends on visa status.

“If we believe healthcare is a human right, then access to care shouldn’t depend on your visa status,” Emily says.

“From what we see every day, these health crises are preventable — and we can do better.”

No one should have to wait until they are fighting for their life to see a doctor.

The system has to change.

“We are calling for continuous Medicare access and the right to work for all people seeking asylum in our community. 

“When people can look after their health, they stay well, they contribute, and the whole system works better.”

*Names changed for privacy

Learn more about our Healthcare campaign HERE.