In breaking news, the Government is expected to introduce "devastating" migration changes.
Reports suggest Tony Burke is planning to announce:
- Work restrictions and appeal limitations for humanitarian visa applicants
- Curbing the ability of refugees to reunite with family already in Australia
- Sweeping migration cuts
RACS's Sarah Dale had this to say:
"These reports becoming reality would have catastrophic effects on the community RACS support. Deliberately denying people agency in their own lives, stripping the right to work and leaving them with no option but to rely on charity is deliberate indignity.Our migration program must be robust, but it also must be fair and compassionate. Focusing on people seeking asylum and those separated from their families, having their rights curtailed, is bad policy and senselessly cruel."
It has been 75 years since the signing of the Refugee Convention: a cornerstone of refugee protection and a legal document that remains as relevant as ever. RACS was founded on the fact that it’s legal to seek asylum. It was the Refugee Convention that set this fact in stone - and set out the obligations states like Australia have to protect refugees.
The first LGBTQI+ refugee has arrived in Australia through the Bridge to Safety program. This was a momentous milestone for the nation-first program, which was designed by our friends at the Forcibly Displaced People Network (FDPN) to help queer refugees from Asia and Southwest Asia find safety. RACS is proud to be FDPN's legal partner in this vital work.
If you’d like to help more queer refugees reach safety in Australia, you can donate to Bridge to Safety here.
There are thousands of stateless people in Australia, living in legal limbo. Experts, including our partners at the Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness, are calling for the introduction of a national framework. The Peter McMullin Centre's study into statelessness in Australia – the first of its kind – has just been launched.
What We've Been Up To
LAUNCHING | Statelessness report
We celebrated the launch of the Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness's landmark report on statelessness in Australia. Rohingya artist, poet and activist Asma Ullah and RACS lawyer and head of our Stateless Children program Ahmad Sawan spoke, alongside report authors Michelle Foster, Katie Robertson and Amelia Walters.
CELEBRATING | Queer Habibi one year Ambassador anniversary
Social media star Queer Habibi celebrates 1 year as a RACS Ambassador for the LGBTQI+ Safety program!
SHARING | Family reunion opportunities for refugee students
RACS lawyer Ahmad was in Melbourne to speak with newly arrived refugee students! He provided important information on how they could bring their families to join them in safety, as they start their university degrees through the Skill Path Australia program.
SHARING | A day in the life of a RACS helpline volunteer
In this blog post, intern Noah writes about his time spent on the RACS "front-end" and how it gave him a crucial insight into the importance of the services RACS provides refugees and people seeking asylum.
REVIEWING | RACS | last chance, survey closing soon
Your opinion matters to us. Please help us understand what you care about and how you prefer to be involved with RACS.
- Take the RACS Supporter Survey.
AUBURN | RACS | TALKING | Information session for Sudanese community
RACS is running an information session on humanitarian visas and family sponsorship for the Sudanese Community on Saturday 8 August at Auburn Centre for the Community. If you know someone who would find this session helpful, let them know! Registration here.
SURRY HILLS | RACS | TALKING | Who gets to belong? Culture, rights and a fairer Australia | Monday 21 September 2026 | arrive 5.30pm for 6.30pm-8pm AEST
Join writer and broadcaster Benjamin Law, Rohingya human rights advocate Noor Azizah, Plate It Forward founder Shaun Christie-David and Walkley award-winner Sarah Malik as they explore what belonging means in Australia today, how our understanding of identity and community is shaped, and what we really mean when we talk about Australian values.
- Where: Belvoir St Theatre, Surry Hills NSW
- Cost: General Admission $35.00 + booking fee $1.38
- Bookings: Reserve your tickets online via Humanitix
BLUE MOUNTAINS | RACS | TREKKING | For Refugees | Saturday 19-Sunday 20 September 2026
We're partnering with Emu Trekkers once again for a two-day hike along the Six Foot Track in the Blue Mountains. Accommodation and meals, including wine tasting and lunch at a local vineyard, are included!
What is included?
- A spectacular out and back hike along the Six Foot Track
- Accommodation and welcome drink at the Six Foot Track Eco Lodge
- All meals (2 x lunch, 1 x breakfast, 1 x dinner; vegetarian options available)
- Wine tasting and lunch at a local vineyard on Day 2
- Experienced volunteer guides
- Proceeds go to RACS
- Where: Trek starts at Megalong Valley Tea Rooms
- Cost: $599 per person
- Bookings: Reserve your spot online via Emu Trekkers
MORE:
Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS)
Address: Eora Country, 30 Botany Street, Randwick, NSW, 2031
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners, Custodians and Elders of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, past, present and future, on whose traditional land we work.