Though Thu-Trang was born after the end of the Vietnam War, the war’s harsh impacts stayed with her family, leaving them with no choice but to flee. Read her story: www.refugeeweek.org.au/thu-trangs-s... This Story of Freedom is sponsored by MercyCare. #RefugeeWeekAU #RefugeeWeek2026 #RefugeeWeek

Don't even need to leave your sofa to be part of #RefugeeWeekAU! Watch a movie or documentary about refugees' experiences, and see if you can get a few friends to join you. Find our list of films and more here: www.refugeecouncil.org.au/resource-lib... #RefugeeWeek2026 #RefugeeWeek

Right now, we need leadership that aims to unite, not divide.

Shankar was just a child when he and his family escaped the Sri Lankan civil war, seeking safety and stability. Read his story: www.refugeeweek.org.au/shankars-sto... This Story of Freedom is sponsored by Melaleuca Australia. #RefugeeWeekAU #RefugeeWeek2026 #RefugeeWeek

Investment in skills recognition and SRSS tempered by massive cost blowout for offshore processing and failure to expand the humanitarian program. Read our analysis of the Federal Budget 2026-27: www.refugeecouncil.org.au/2026-27-fede... #budget2026

Mirsada was 5 years old when her city in Bosnia and Herzegovina fell under siege, and 8 when genocide forced her family to flee. Read her story: www.refugeeweek.org.au/mirsadas-sto... This Story of Freedom is sponsored by CORE Community Services. #RefugeeWeekAU #RefugeeWeek2026 #RefugeeWeek

Spread the word about #RefugeeWeek2026, and the million refugees we're celebrating this year. Start a conversation around the dinner table, bring a friend along to an upcoming event, or simply share a post on social media. #RefugeeWeekAU #RefugeeWeek

When Hani arrived in Australia in 2013, she stepped into a new world, after escaping war and injustice in Somalia. Read her story: www.refugeeweek.org.au/hanis-story/ This Story of Freedom is sponsored by the Australian Migrant Resource Centre (AMRC). #RefugeeWeekAU #RefugeeWeek2026 #RefugeeWeek

Born in the year the Vietnam War ended, Maria’s chance at a new beginning was hard won, but she and her family finally found safety - in Australia. Read Maria’s story: lnkd.in/gEjPr-u9 This Story of Freedom is sponsored by the Australian Red Cross. #RefugeeWeekAU #RefugeeWeek2026 #RefugeeWeek

A great way to start celebrating #RefugeeWeek2026 is to read refugee stories: www.refugeeweek.org.au/stories-of-f... This year, we mark Australia welcoming a million refugees. That's a million stories that have helped shape the country we all call home today. #RefugeeWeekAU #RefugeeWeek

Yesterday, our Advocacy Coordinator Dr Graham Thom told a Senate inquiry that offshore processing and reception arrangements on Nauru must end, warning the policies have caused profound and ongoing harm while failing to deliver any durable solutions. www.refugeecouncil.org.au/refugee-coun...

This #RefugeeWeekAU, we celebrate the million people who've resettled in Australia. Each of their stories is unique; each is powerful. And they shape the Australia we all call home today. No matter where we were born, let's keep building on our legacy. Together. #RefugeeWeek #RefugeeWeek2026

Tomorrow, we kick off Refugee Week 2026! We're delighted to share our official poster, featuring Thu-Trang, a former refugee from Vietnam, and her children. Download or pick up a poster today: www.refugeeweek.org.au/poster/ #RefugeeWeekAU #RefugeeWeek

We're pushing for urgent government reforms to address the glaring gaps in support for Australia's non-residents experiencing homelessness, including people seeking asylum. No one should be left behind in times of crisis. Read more: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

It has been three years since conflict erupted in Sudan. According to UNHCR, 11.6 million people are currently forcibly displaced, and we're calling on the Australian Government to urgently increase its response to the conflict. Read more: www.refugeecouncil.org.au/sudan-the-ab...

The Coalition’s Immigration Policy fails its own 'values test'. Read more: www.refugeecouncil.org.au/coalitions-i...

Immigration Minister Tony Burke has acted on new laws enabling him to prevent people who've already been fully screened and granted visas from entering Australia in circumstances where there has been some conflict or unrest in their country of origin: www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

The High Court has found that electronic ankle monitoring of people who have served their sentences is unconstitutional. Read our response. www.refugeecouncil.org.au/high-court-r...

We're urging the Australian Government to push for renewed international action on the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, as the country’s military junta convenes a new parliament following an election process almost universally dismissed as fraudulent. www.refugeecouncil.org.au/australia-mu...

"Really appalling." Our Co-CEO Paul Power spoke with SBS News about the Government's Migration Amendment Bill, which gives the Immigration Minister power to prevent people already granted visas from entering Australia if conditions change in their country of origin. www.sbs.com.au/news/article...

Yesterday MPs and Senators from across the political spectrum celebrated Australia’s welcome of a million refugees. As global displacement grows and resettlement places decline, Australia has a unique opportunity to build on its legacy. @davidshoebridge.bsky.social @allegraspender.bsky.social

After granting protection to 5 Iranian footballers in front of the TV cameras this morning, the Government legislate to block the pathway for countless others seeking protection from the Middle East this afternoon . Shameful. asylumseekerscentre.org.au/duplicity-de...

The Australian Government's newest Migration Amendment Bill sits in sharp contrast to the welcome and safety rightly provided to some of the Iranian women’s soccer team mere hours before. www.refugeecouncil.org.au/government-w...

On the day 5 members of the Iranian women's soccer team were given humanitarian visas to protect them from possible persecution in Iran, the Albanese Gov introduced legislation which would have prevented them from entering Australia in the first place. www.refugeecouncil.org.au/government-w...

We welcome the Australian Government's decision to grant humanitarian visas to five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team currently in Australia. www.refugeecouncil.org.au/protection-v...

We've written to Ministers Burke and Wong to enquire about the Government’s plans to support refugees granted Australian Humanitarian XB sub-class visas unable to depart Iran and countries in the region as a result of the recent escalation of conflict. www.refugeecouncil.org.au/letter-suppo...

The Witness to War National Multilingual Telephone Hotline provides phone support to anyone impacted by overseas conflict. Support is available in Arabic, Hebrew, Dari, Ukrainian and English 10am-7pm, Monday to Friday. Please call 1800 845 198 for free support. startts.org.au/services/wit...

We're pleased to announce the appointments of Adama Kamara and Paul Power as Co-CEOs. Adama was appointed our Deputy CEO in January 2021, while Paul has been CEO since May 2006. www.refugeecouncil.org.au/co-ceos-adam...

We're proud to launch Australia’s Untold Stories, a series of oral histories of 12 former refugees who have rebuilt their lives in Australia. Those featured are a few of the million refugees who have settled here since the end of World War II. bit.ly/AustraliasUn...

Amid December reports of Canberra's Afghanistan Embassy closure, we wrote to Senator Penny Wong, calling on the Federal Government to ensure the Embassy remained open. We are deeply disappointed and concerned that the closure is going ahead. www.sbs.com.au/news/article...

The Combating Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill has passed. We support its overall objective, but have concerns about harmful consequences now facing refugees+diaspora communities. We urge scrutiny to prevent deportation, detention & permanent exclusion from Australia based on speculation.

Since its creation on 14 Dec 1950, UNHCR has protected millions of refugees and others forced to flee. We @kaldorcentre.bsky.social urge global solidarity in enabling @unhcr.org to continue its vital work. Read our full statement with @refugeecouncilau.bsky.social: www.unsw.edu.au/news/2025/12...

🌍 UNHCR marks 75 years on Sunday. With more people displaced than ever – and UNHCR facing deep funding cuts – global solidarity and support are urgently needed. W/@refugeecouncilau.bsky.social we’re calling for renewed commitment to refugee protection and @unhcr.org: www.unsw.edu.au/news/2025/12...

We're deeply concerned by reports that the Canberra-based Embassy of Afghanistan may soon close, in the wake of a demand sent by the Taliban that the Ambassador be removed. We've called on the Federal Government to ensure that this does not happen. www.refugeecouncil.org.au/refugee-coun...

The Refugee Council of Australia is part of a national coalition of organisations calling for urgent reform of Australia’s immigration and detention system: www.refugeecouncil.org.au/un-visit-cal...

A year ago, the Aus Human Rights Commission released the first national roadmap to eliminate racism in Australia. We've joined with over 50 civil society organisations to call for the Government to fully fund and implement the National Anti-Racism Framework. www.refugeecouncil.org.au/joint-statem...

First there was one deportation of people seeking asylum to Nauru. Then another. Now 60 Minutes has detailed serious allegations surrounding the management of offshore detention and reception centres in Nauru. We urgently call for a Parliamentary Inquiry into these allegations.

Push Australia to step up for refugees: bit.ly/donatetoRCOA Millions of refugees around the world are living in uncertainty, holding tightly to their hope for a fresh start. Australia must lead in turning their hope into opportunity. Donate now: bit.ly/donatetoRCOA

#AntiPovertyWeek: We've joined with our colleagues at @ascsyd.bsky.social in urging immediate action by the government to ensure people have the right to work and to end the systemic exclusion of people seeking asylum from basic services. www.refugeecouncil.org.au/a-safety-net...

We oppose the Government's Nauru arrangement and Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Bill 2025, that would allow for circumventing rules of natural justice and procedural fairness when deporting people to Nauru and other 3rd countries. www.refugeecouncil.org.au/letter-nauru...

On 25 August 2017, the Myanmar military launched brutal attacks against the Rohingya community in Rakhine State. Today we remember the horrific violence that forced more than 700,000 people to flee their homes in Myanmar. johnmenadue.com/post/2025/08... @johnmenadue.com

Today, eight years since more than 700,000 Rohingya people fled to Bangladesh, the launch of a taro leaf symbol highlights the community’s refusal to be forgotten. www.refugeecouncil.org.au/taro-leaf-sy...

We welcome public comments from former Liberal Immigration Minister Alex Hawke that it's time to resolve the status of around 7500 people who sought asylum in Australia more than 12 years ago but remain without permanent visas. www.refugeecouncil.org.au/rcoa-welcome...

"The Department of Home Affairs wrongfully detained an Australian citizen because of an administration error, the commonwealth ombudsman has revealed, while another person with a valid visa was incorrectly held for 18 months in immigration detention." www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

This #HomelessnessWeek, we reiterate our urgent call to the Australian Government to ensure that people seeking asylum are not left behind in national efforts to prevent and reduce homelessness. www.refugeecouncil.org.au/urgent-actio...

We've written to Ministers Tony Burke and Anne Aly and Senator Penny Wong regarding the impact of the ongoing crisis in Sudan, and urged the Australian Government to increase its response through humanitarian aid, diplomacy and resettlement. Read our letter: www.refugeecouncil.org.au/letter-ongoi...

Craig Foster joined us at last week's Consultations on Resettlement and Complementary Pathways in Geneva, following a visit to Cox's Bazar, one of the world's largest refugee camps. Sharing his experiences with key reps at #CRCP2025, he highlighted how sport can break barriers for new arrivals.

2025 NSW Humanitarian Awards Winners Announced! Celebrate the inspiring individuals and organisations changing refugee lives in NSW. Read their stories: www.startts.org.au/news-events/... @refugeecouncilau.bsky.social

Refugee leaders, governments, UNHCR, NGOs, academics and private sector representatives from across the globe have gathered in Geneva to discuss how to better protect refugees through resettlement and other safe pathways. www.refugeecouncil.org.au/welcoming-pl... #crcp2025

It's not too late to make your tax-time donation. Make it your next act of kindness: action.refugeecouncil.org.au/the_kindness...