Latest News

Budget analysis 2012-13

Read RCOA's analysis of the Federal Budget here.

Three new reports on settlement issues released

RCOA has released three new reports focusing on Job Services Australia, Income Management and Family Links. They can be accessed here.

20 years of mandatory detention

Sunday, 6 May, marked the 20th anniversary of Australia's mandatory detention policy for asylum seekers who arrive in Australia without a visa. Read our media release.

Homestay network supporting asylum seekers

Efforts to help accommodate asylum seekers while their status is being determined have been strengthened through the Homestay network. Read our media release.

End Child Detention focus on Australia

RCOA is providing strong support for the End Child Detention campaign. Through May, Australia is the first in a series of countries being highlighted by the Global Campaign to End Immigration Detention of Children. Read our media release here.

'When you leave your house you worry, will I come back?'

Santino Mou Ngong Dut fled Sudan in 1994, carrying only a few clothes and leaving behind his parents, brothers and sisters.

Read more about: Santino's story

Aims

The role of the Australian Refugee Foundation is to support the Refugee Council in achieving its aims through providing an independent source of funding.

The overall aim of the Refugee Council of Australia is to promote the adoption of flexible, humane and constructive policies towards refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons by the Australian and other Governments and their communities.

In order to achieve this aim, the Council pursues the following objectives:

To act as a unifying organisation and general representative for its members on matters relating to refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons.
To present the case for refugees as strongly as possible wherever appropriate.
To monitor, research, advocate and represent on issues relating to refugees and refugee needs.
To access and reflect community attitudes towards refugees and refugee needs.
To assist the Government to formulate policy and provide services to refugees.
To increase public awareness and media sensitivity towards refugees and refugee needs.
To ensure maximum possible flow of accurate and current information amongst and to Council members.
To maintain close links with national and international agencies working with and for refugees.
To promote the empowerment of refugee communities and individuals in Australia and internationally.
To do all such other things that shall help to achieve any or all of the foregoing aim and objectives.