A Nation's Welcome: Australia's Response To Afghan Refugees

Since the Taliban's insurgency and takeover of Afghanistan, more than 23,000 Afghans have sought refuge in Australia. The Australian government has responded to the crisis by offering an additional 16,500 humanitarian places over the next four years, bringing the total number of refugees from Afghanistan to 31,500. This is the most significant one-off increase to Australia's humanitarian program since 2015, when Tony Abbott offered 12,000 places to Syrian and Iraqi refugees. The cost of the additional allocation is expected to be $666 million over the next four years.

Australia's refugee visa process

Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian Program has been protecting refugees for decades. It is separate from the Migration Program, which includes business, skilled, and family migrants. The resettlement program, which began in 1977, is one of the longest-standing and largest in the world.

The Refugee and Humanitarian Program has two parts: 'offshore' and 'onshore'. The 'offshore' component includes refugees who are resettled from overseas, while the 'onshore' part includes refugees who apply for protection once they are already in Australia.

Applying for a Refugee Visa

Australia offers several types of humanitarian and refugee visas. The type of visa one can apply for depends on their circumstances. Here is a list of some of the visa subclasses:

• Permanent Protection Visa (subclass 866): This visa is for individuals who meet the requirements for refugee status and complementary protection. Applicants must be in Australia under a valid visa to apply. Visa holders can work, study, and travel freely.
• Temporary Protection Visa (subclass 785): This visa is for people who entered Australia illegally. It is only valid temporarily, and visa holders cannot travel outside Australia without written permission.
• Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (subclass 790): This visa is issued to illegal entrants in Australia and is only valid temporarily. Holders can apply for another visa in Australia if they meet pathway requirements.
• Refugee Visas (subclass 200, 201, 203, and 204): These visas are permanent and issued to those who need Australia's protection. Applicants must be outside Australia when applying and cannot enter until the specified date in their visa grant notice. Afterward, they can stay indefinitely and apply for citizenship.
• Global Special Humanitarian Visa (subclass 202): Applicants must be outside Australia and have an Australian sponsor, who can be an immediate family member or close relative. This visa is permanent, and visa holders may later qualify for Australian citizenship.

To apply for a humanitarian or refugee visa, one must know how to apply for a protection visa and what to do before submitting their application. Applications can be made online via the ImmiAccount. Some visas, such as the humanitarian visas (subclass 200, 201, 203, and 204), can only be applied for via paper applications sent by post.

The cost of a humanitarian or refugee visa depends on the type of visa. Protection visas (subclass 866, 785, and 790) cost AUD40, while humanitarian visas (subclass 200, 201, 203, and 204) and the Global Special Humanitarian Visa (subclass 202) are free of charge unless proposed under the Community Support Program.

Processing times vary, but protection visas may take several months to years to be finalized unless applicants belong to the fast-tracking assessment process (available only for visa subclass 785 and 790).

Afghanistan Refugees in Australia

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 led to a surge in demand for humanitarian visas from Australia. Over 100,000 Afghan nationals sought the initial 3,000 humanitarian visas allocated by the Australian government. The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that Australia had received 26,000 applications from Afghan nationals in the past seven weeks, indicating that more than 100,000 people were seeking help.

The Refugee Council of Australia and other groups have called for a special intake of 20,000 places for refugees from Afghanistan, especially for those in at-risk groups. The current annual humanitarian intake from all countries is 13,750 people, lowered from 18,750 places planned in the 2019 Budget.

The Australian government has stated that Afghans will be a priority under the 2021-22 humanitarian visa program, allocating 3,000 humanitarian places for Afghan nationals within the annual program.

Settlement Experiences

Settlement experiences for Afghan refugees in Australia differ depending on personal circumstances and community support. Some arrive with their families, while others are separated from them, which can disrupt their settlement experience. Afghan refugees may encounter challenges adjusting to Australia's individualistic culture, particularly those accustomed to socializing daily with their neighbors.

Afghan asylum seekers face particularly difficult settlement challenges due to their mode of arrival. Those who arrive by boat are kept in forced detention while their refugee status claims are assessed, which can negatively impact their mental health. Upon release, they often receive insufficient cash and income support, relying on voluntary agencies and charities for assistance.

Afghan refugees may experience ongoing difficulties due to post-migration stressors such as unemployment, limited English proficiency, discrimination, anxiety for the safety of family members still in Afghanistan, and news reports of continuing violence in their home country.

Despite these challenges, the Afghan Australian community has demonstrated resilience. As of 2021, roughly 28% of people born in Afghanistan were attending educational institutions, and 49% of those aged 15 and over were employed. Support for the Afghan community continues to grow, and cultural societies are increasing in size.

Life in Afghanistan under the Taliban

Life in Afghanistan has been difficult for many under the Taliban. The Taliban's strict interpretation and enforcement of Islamic law and tribal traditions have perpetuated the suffering of many ordinary Afghans. The Taliban have been known to impose a set of rules and restrictions that limit personal freedoms and human rights, particularly for women and girls.

Under the Taliban, women and girls have been banned from most paid employment and education. Women have been forbidden from participating in sports and are required to wear the all-enveloping burqa and be accompanied by a male chaperone when outside the house. They are also prohibited from travelling without a male relative and have been silenced by the Taliban, with female journalists facing particular restrictions.

The Taliban have also imposed strict rules on men, with men having to adhere to a dress code that includes keeping their beards and no shaving. Men are also not allowed to play sports, with football matches, boxing, and kite flying all banned. Music, movies, and art have also been banned, with cassettes and movie-screening materials being destroyed.

Public executions and amputations are also common under the Taliban, with punishments for offenders often gruesome and public. For example, under the Taliban, those convicted of stealing could have their hands amputated. The Taliban have also been known to beat people for minor transgressions, such as forgetting to wear a burqa when going out.

The Taliban's harsh brand of Islamic justice has created an atmosphere of fear, with many Afghans living in constant terror of the consequences of breaking their rules. The Taliban's rule has also led to economic stagnation, with limited opportunities for education and employment, and basic survival becoming a challenge for many.

The situation in Afghanistan under the Taliban has caused many Afghans to flee the country and seek refuge elsewhere, including in Australia.

Life in Australia for Afghan refugees

Australia has a long history of accepting Afghan refugees, dating back to the mid-19th century when the first Afghans arrived as cameleers. Today, the country is once again facing calls to welcome those fleeing Afghanistan, particularly after the Taliban's return to power in 2021. While Australia has committed to resettling 3,000 Afghan refugees, this number falls short of the 20,000 places advocated by refugee organizations and community members.

Settlement Experiences

Afghan refugees in Australia have encountered various challenges and stressors during their settlement journey. These include learning a new language, finding employment, navigating cultural differences, and coping with the trauma of their past experiences. Many have also struggled with feelings of isolation and separation from their families, especially those on temporary protection visas who are unable to sponsor their loved ones to join them. Despite these difficulties, Afghan refugees have demonstrated resilience and a strong determination to build a better future for themselves and their children.

Education and Employment

Education has played a crucial role in the settlement process, with many refugees expressing a desire to improve their English language skills and gain qualifications. However, employment has been a significant challenge, often due to difficulties in recognizing overseas qualifications and the need to gain local work experience. This has resulted in high unemployment rates among Afghan refugees, with only 26% reporting paid work in one study.

Social Connections and Community Support

Afghan refugees have experienced both positive and negative social connections in Australia. While some have successfully formed friendships and integrated into their communities, others have faced discrimination and struggled to expand their social networks beyond the Afghan community. Community support has been vital, with voluntary agencies, charities, and established Afghan Australians providing assistance to newcomers.

Mental Health and Well-being

The ongoing conflict and political instability in Afghanistan have taken a toll on the mental health and well-being of Afghan refugees in Australia. Many individuals with family members still in Afghanistan live with constant worry and anxiety for their safety. News reports of violence and tragic events in their homeland can trigger depressive states and negatively impact their mental health.

Policy Recommendations

To better support Afghan refugees in Australia, several policy changes have been proposed. These include increasing the number of humanitarian visas allocated to Afghans, providing permanent protection to those on temporary visas, and facilitating family reunions. Additionally, addressing employment barriers, promoting social inclusion, and offering culturally sensitive mental health services are crucial steps toward helping Afghan refugees rebuild their lives in their new country.

The Australian government's response to the crisis

The Australian government's response to the Afghanistan crisis has been criticised by refugee advocates and human rights groups as inadequate and disappointing. While the government has allocated a certain number of humanitarian places for Afghan refugees, it has been criticised for not doing enough to address the scale of the crisis.

In the wake of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in August 2021, the Australian government announced an allocation of 3,000 humanitarian places for Afghan nationals within its annual refugee resettlement program. This was later clarified as a "floor" rather than a "ceiling", indicating a potential willingness to increase this number. The government also emphasised that Afghan nationals would be a priority under the 2021-22 humanitarian visa program.

However, refugee advocates have called for a more substantial response, particularly in light of Australia's previous commitments to refugee crises. For example, in 2015, the Australian government committed to an additional 12,000 visas for refugees from Syria and Iraq on top of its annual humanitarian program. In comparison, the response to the Afghanistan crisis has been viewed as falling short.

The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has criticised the government's response as "hopelessly inadequate", arguing that it will leave Afghan Australians and their supporters feeling betrayed. RCOA has called for a more substantial commitment from the government, including additional humanitarian places and family reunion places.

The Australian Human Rights Commission has also expressed serious concerns about the human rights situation in Afghanistan and the impact on the Afghan diaspora in Australia. They have urged the government to consider expanding its refugee resettlement program with a specific Afghan intake, prioritising family members of Afghans in Australia and vulnerable groups at risk of persecution.

The government's response has also been criticised for its handling of Afghan asylum seekers already in Australia, particularly those on temporary protection visas (TPVs) and safe haven enterprise visas (SHEVs). There are approximately 4,000 Afghan visa holders in this situation, facing challenges in reuniting with their families and uncertainty about their long-term status.

The settlement experiences of Afghan refugees in Australia vary depending on personal circumstances and community support. Some arrive with their families, while others are separated from their loved ones, which can disrupt their settlement process. Afghan refugees also face challenges in adapting to a new culture, language barriers, and the trauma of leaving their homeland.

While the Australian government has emphasised its commitment to ensuring visa options for Afghan nationals through its Humanitarian and Migration Programs, there are ongoing calls for a more comprehensive and compassionate response to address the scale of the Afghanistan crisis.

The Australian public's response to the crisis

The Australian public's response to the Afghanistan crisis has been mixed, with some calling for a more generous intake of refugees and others expressing concerns about national security and border protection.

On the one hand, there has been an outpouring of support from Australians for Afghan refugees. Refugee and multicultural services have been inundated with calls from Australians offering employment, housing, and donations to help Afghans settle in the country. This reflects a broader sentiment among the Australian public, with hundreds of thousands of people supporting calls for the government to increase its intake of Afghan refugees.

In addition, over 300 organisations, businesses, and community groups have signed a joint letter urging the government to take urgent action on the crisis. The letter includes seven practical steps, such as evacuating people at grave risk in Afghanistan, urging neighbouring countries to keep their borders open, and offering additional refugee resettlement places.

However, there are also concerns among the Australian public about the potential security risks associated with accepting a large number of Afghan refugees. Some worry that among those fleeing Afghanistan are individuals who may have ties to terrorist organisations or who may have committed war crimes. There is also a concern that the influx of refugees could overwhelm social services and impact the country's economy.

Overall, while there is a significant level of support for Afghan refugees among the Australian public, there are also concerns about national security and the potential social and economic impacts of accepting a large number of refugees. The Australian government has yet to announce a significant increase in its refugee intake, despite calls for a more generous response to the crisis.

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