Asylum Seekers
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Who is an asylum seeker?
An asylum-seeker is someone whose request for sanctuary has yet to be processed. Every year, around one million people seek asylum. For more information about asylum seekers globally see UNHCR
Refugee and Asylum seeker facts – The Australian Red Cross
Who provides support for those seeking asylum in Queensland?
- ASYLUM SEEKER MENTAL HEALTH CONNECT – A joint response by QPASTT and WWG to the complex mental health needs of people seeking asylum.
- Use the Mental Health Referral Pathways for People Seeking Asylum who are living in the Queensland Community (March 2021) to navigate services.
- Communify Queensland lead a collaboration of 7 agencies to support people seeking asylum from the legacy caseload in Queensland. More information – ASYLUM SEEKER AND REFUGEE ASSISTANCE (ASRA) PROGRAM
- Status Resolution Support Services are delivered by Multicultural Australia and SSI
- The Romero Centre – Individualised case management service
- Mater Refugee Complex Care Clinic (MRCCC) provides specialised primary health care to people from refugee backgrounds with complex health needs and a health service to asylum seekers without Medicare. Ph: (07) 3163 2880
- World Wellness Health & Medical Clinic – Primary health services for people seeking asylum with or without Medicare eligibility. Ph: (07) 33332100
- QPASTT provide counselling to asylum seekers who are currently living in the community, while their claims for protection are assessed.
- Family and Domestic Violence Financial Assistance Program – Australian Red Cross
- Asylum Seeker Resource Centre – Advocates From Refugee Backgrounds (some in Brisbane)
How can Medicare ineligible asylum seekers access public healthcare in Queensland?
In 2017 that the Queensland Government approved providing vulnerable Medicare-ineligible asylum seekers with access to public health services at no charge.
- Public healthcare access for asylum seekers – Queensland Health
- Refugee Health Network Queensland Information Sheet for Health Service Providers – Access to health services for Asylum seekers in Immigration detention facilities in Brisbane (January 2021).
- Hospital and Health Service access for people seeking asylum who are between visas
- Translated Asylum Seeker Factsheets for people seeking asylum who do not have a Medicare Card
- More information about the responsibilities of Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) in the provision of healthcare to refugees, asylum seekers and detainees, including information on Medicare eligibility and revenue.
- Health Services Directive: Fees and Charges for Health care Services (QH-HSD-045:2016)
What are the health and screening needs of asylum seekers in Australia?
See the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne Immigrant Health Service for a detailed description.
Visa support
From 14 February 2023, a small number of people will be asked to apply for a permanent visa. Most people will not be able to apply for a permanent visa until late March 2023. More information from Refugee Council of Australia.
The Refugee and immigration Legal Service (RAILS) have now updated their website to include key messages for boat arriving asylum seekers and refugees, community leaders, stakeholder and volunteers. Please see the key messages for boat arriving refugees and asylum seekers here.
Refer to RAILS in the following circumstances:
- Their current SHEV expires in the next three months
- They have a physical illness, disability or condition that interferes with their ability to work or to go about their daily life
- They have a mental illness, disability or condition that interferes with their ability to function
- They are homeless or at risk of homelessness
- They are experiencing family violence or have recently left a violent relationship
- They are aged under 18 or over 60 and are not part of a family group here in Australia
- They (or someone in their family here in Queensland) are expecting a new baby, or
- They have a child overseas who is aged between 17 and 23.
You can do this by completing their referral form here: ‘TPV/SHEV Conversion referral form’. Alternatively, clients in these circumstances can contact RAILS directly. Email: pr@rails.org.au (preferred) Phone: 07 3846 9333.
The Refugee and immigration Legal Service (RAILS) have now updated their website to include key messages for boat arriving asylum seekers and refugees, community leaders, stakeholder and volunteers. Please see the key messages for boat arriving refugees and asylum seekers here.
REPORTS about Asylum Seekers
- POLICY PAPER – HEALTHCARE AND THE HEALTH-RELATED HARMS OF AUSTRALIA’S REFUGEE EXTERNALISATION POLICIES Sara Dehm, Claire Loughnan, Samantha O’Donnell and Jordana Silverstein – July 2022
- Understanding Australia’s temporary protection system and the ‘legacy caseload’ | Kaldor Centre UNSW
- Supporting economic growth in uncertain times: Permanent pathways for Temporary Protection visa and Safe Haven Enterprise visa holders – Policy options paper, September 2021, John van Kooy
- Lives on hold: Refugees and asylum seekers in the ‘Legacy caseload’ (2019) – Australian Human Rights Commission
- Indefinite Despair: Mental Health Consequences on Nauru – Medecins Sans Frontieres (Dec, 2018)
- An unnecessary penalty: Economic impacts of changes to the Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS) – FULL REPORT (Sept, 2018)
- EMPTY HANDS: How the Australian Government is forcing people seeking asylum to destitution – Refugee Council of Australia report (June 2018)
- States of Refuge: Access to Health, Housing and Education for People Seeking Asylum and Refugees in Australia – Rights Advocacy Project
More Information about asylum seekers