Ten ways to support people seeking asylum and refugees in Australia

Ten ways to support people seeking asylum and refugees in Australia

This Refugee Week, let’s reflect on what it means to uphold freedom, embrace diversity, and strengthen our community by standing with those who seek safety. 

As the global narrative around refugees and people seeking asylum becomes increasingly hostile, it’s more important than ever to take a stand as a community and send a clear message of compassion.  

We are all part of the solution.

By actively supporting those seeking asylum in Australia, we fight for human rights and the kind of community we want to live in.

Here are ten meaningful ways you can help:

Read and share stories, facts, and resources to challenge misconceptions about people seeking asylum. By raising awareness, you can educate your networks and help shift public opinion. 

The Refugee Council of Australia has a resource page on facts and figures on refugees in Australia as well as educational resources for teachers suitable for the classroom.

Offering your time and expertise is a tangible way to support people seeking asylum. Volunteer for language tutoring, job mentoring, or lunch services to help newcomers adjust to life in Sydney. 

Learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Asylum Seekers Centre here.

The Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) program connects everyday Australians to support refugees from the moment they arrive. By forming a group of five or more, volunteers help with essentials like housing, language, and community orientation for up to a year—creating a supportive start to a new life in Australia.

Groups are trained before being matched with a family identified by the UNHCR as urgently needing resettlement.

Learn more about the CRISP program here.

Donate your old mobile phone, tablet or laptop to someone seeking asylum in Sydney. This helps them to study, find work, and stay in touch with loved ones.

Learn more about donating devices here.

Refugee-owned businesses often face significant barriers, including limited access to marketing and networks. By choosing to support them, you gain access to unique products while fostering community and economic resilience in Australia. 

Visit platforms like Welcome Merchant which connects consumers with refugee-owned enterprises.

If you’re a business owner, consider having a more inclusive recruitment process to make it more accessible to people seeking asylum with an array of talents and capabilities. Providing work helps build confidence and financial independence. It also drives company performance!

Learn more about employing people seeking asylum here.

Displaced LGBTQIA+ community members face unique challenges, including discrimination within both refugee and queer communities, social isolation, and difficulty accessing culturally sensitive support.

Support organisations like the Queer Sisterhood Project and Many Coloured Sky’s QRASP which provide vital safe spaces, peer support, and advocacy tailored to their needs. 

Donate to non-profit organisations like the Asylum Seekers Centre. Your contribution provides healthcare, employment support, casework, and other vital services to people seeking asylum in Sydney who are left out of a broken system.

Learn more about donating to the Asylum Seekers Centre this EOFY here.

If you live in a different area and would like to donate locally, consider Welcoming Australia in Melbourne, Romero Centre in Brisbane, Tasmanian Refugee Legal Service, Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees (CARAD) in Perth or Rural Australians for Refugees. 

Another powerful way to support people seeking asylum is to join the iconic City2Surf and choose to run in support of the Asylum Seekers Centre. 

It’s a chance to raise awareness and vital funds for people seeking safety in Australia. Every step you take provides practical support to those in need.

Learn more about joining City2Surf here.

Lasting change comes through collective pressure on our leaders. Australia’s asylum policies have long been criticised for being harsh and inhumane. Advocacy is crucial in pushing for a fairer approach that respects the rights of people seeking asylum.

You can start by writing to your local Member of Parliament, urging them to support humane and evidence-based policies. Signing petitions, attending rallies, and sharing refugee-led advocacy on social media are all powerful ways to add your voice.

A future together

This Refugee Week, let’s commit to building a community where freedom, diversity, and safety are upheld for all.

Together, let’s stand with people seeking asylum and ensure they are welcomed with dignity and hope.