Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia has two programs through which people can enter the country permanently: the Migration Program and the Refugee and Humanitarian Program. The latter, set up in 1977, is the program through which refugees or other people in need of protection enter Australia. Since 2013, people who have claimed protection in Australia after arriving by boat have been unable to get permanent protection and have instead been given temporary protection. In 2023-24, Australia granted 20,000 refugee and humanitarian visas, and the number of refugee and humanitarian entrants welcomed to Australia since World War II is expected to pass 950,000 in the early months of 2023.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of refugee and humanitarian entrants since World War II | 950,000+ |
| Number of refugee and humanitarian visas granted in 2023-24 | 20,000 |
| Number of refugee and humanitarian visas available per year | 20,000 |
| Number of refugee claims in Australia in 2019-20 | 23,266 |
| Number of refugee claims from outside Australia in 2019-20 | 70,621 |
| Number of refugees in 2020 | 57,411 |
| Number of refugees in 2019 | 58,352 |
| Number of onshore protection visas | Capped by law |
| Number of refugees who came by boat and received permanent protection between 2013-2014 and 2023 | 0 |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian Program
The Refugee and Humanitarian Program has undergone several changes over the years. From 1947 to 1975, refugees were divided into two categories: those who received assistance from the Australian Government and those who did not. Since 1977, the Australian Government has published annual statistics on refugee and humanitarian entrants, reporting them by the financial year.
In recent years, the program has faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and changing government policies. Border closures and travel restrictions significantly impacted migration to Australia, resulting in a temporary reversal of the historical trend of more people migrating to the country than leaving it. The number of refugees and humanitarian entrants was affected, with 57,411 refugees reported in 2020, a 1.91% decline from 2019.
Another significant change came in the form of “capping” onshore protection visas, limiting the number of visas granted annually to individuals already in Australia. Additionally, those arriving without valid visas, mostly by boat, are generally subject to mandatory detention and can only apply for refugee status if the Minister allows it. This has resulted in a growing gap between global resettlement needs and the available places offered by Australia's program.
Despite these challenges, Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian Program continues to provide a pathway for individuals seeking protection. In 2023-24, Australia granted 20,000 refugee and humanitarian visas, with the majority of recipients coming from countries facing conflict, persecution, environmental degradation, and poverty. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) also collaborates with Australia on resettlement and the development of national refugee legislation, protection safeguards, and immigration procedures.
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Migration Program
Australia has two programs for people coming into the country permanently: the Migration Program and the Refugee and Humanitarian Program. The Migration Program is the primary program, which people use mainly to reunite with family or as skilled migrants. The Migration Program is set annually and is designed to achieve a range of economic and social outcomes.
Skilled migrants can apply for state nomination through the General Skilled Migration Program, which helps South Australia build a diverse and skilled workforce. To be eligible for skilled migration, individuals must have an occupation on the State Nominated Occupation List. International graduates from South Australian education providers who fill areas of skill shortages are prioritized. There are two skilled migration visa options available for state nomination: the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (Subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491). The former is a state-nominated permanent visa that allows individuals to live and work in South Australia, while the latter is a provisional visa that allows individuals to live and work in the state for up to five years and can provide a pathway to permanent residency.
The Refugee and Humanitarian Program, on the other hand, is how refugees or other people who need protection ('humanitarian entrants') come to Australia. Since 1977, the Australian government has published statistics on the number of people entering the country under both programs. The number of refugee and humanitarian entrants welcomed to Australia since World War II passed 950,000 in early 2023. In 2023-24, Australia granted 20,000 refugee and humanitarian visas, with the majority of recipients coming from countries such as Afghanistan, Eritrea, Syria, and Somalia.
It is important to note that not every asylum seeker becomes a refugee, but every refugee starts as an asylum seeker. Asylum seekers can arrive in Australia by boat or plane, and it is not illegal to arrive by boat without a valid visa and ask for protection. However, since 2013, those who have claimed protection in Australia after arriving by boat have been given temporary protection and are no longer counted as part of the refugee program. Additionally, the Australian government now caps onshore protection visas, limiting the number of visas granted annually to those already in Australia.
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Asylum seekers
Australia has two programs through which people can enter the country permanently: the Migration Program and the Refugee and Humanitarian Program. The latter, set up in 1977, is how refugees or people in need of protection enter Australia.
Since 1977, the Australian government has published statistics on the number of people entering the country under both programs. However, the data before 1977 are estimates given to the Parliamentary Library of Australia. Between 1947 and 1975, there were two types of refugees: those who were 'assisted' by the Australian government and those who were not. Most refugees have come under the ''offshore' part of the program.
In 2023-24, Australia granted 20,000 refugee and humanitarian visas. This number includes both people who were resettled from other countries and those who applied for asylum within Australia. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) supports Australia in developing national refugee legislation, increasing refugee status determination capacity, and introducing protection safeguards in immigration procedures. UNHCR also works with Australia on resettlement and building complementary pathways.
Australia's protection program offers 20,000 places per year, but the gap between needs and actual resettlement is growing. Just 8% of the estimated 2 million individuals identified by UNHCR as most in need of resettlement received it in 2023.
It is important to note that not every asylum seeker becomes a refugee, but every refugee starts as an asylum seeker. Asylum seekers are people who have applied for asylum or refugee status and are awaiting a decision or are registered as asylum seekers. It is not illegal under Australian law for people to seek asylum from persecution, even if they cross borders without documents or passports. All people who arrive by boat without a valid visa are subject to mandatory detention.
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Temporary protection
Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian Program offers 20,000 places per year, available to people via resettlement from other countries or by granting protection to those who apply for asylum within Australia. The program was set up in 1977, and since then, the Australian government has published statistics on the number of people who come under the program.
The history of TPVs in Australia has been characterised by periods of reinstatement and abolition. In 2008, the Rudd government committed to abolishing TPVs, but in 2013, the Abbott government announced their reinstatement. This decision was opposed by Labor and the Greens, who voted against it in the Senate. In 2014, the High Court ruled that issuing TPVs without the appropriate legislative powers was invalid, leading to the introduction of legislation specifically dealing with the backlog of asylum seekers.
The current status of TPVs in Australia is unclear, with some sources stating that they should be abolished and replaced with a single statutory Refugee Status Determination process, allowing all refugees to apply for permanent protection visas. It is important to note that the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers is a complex and evolving issue, and policies can change over time.
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Resettlement
Australia has two programs through which people can enter the country permanently: the Migration Program and the Refugee and Humanitarian Program. The latter, set up in 1977, is the refugee program in focus.
The Refugee and Humanitarian Program has welcomed over 950,000 refugees and humanitarian entrants since World War II, with 20,000 visas granted in 2023-24. The Australian government caps onshore protection visas, meaning only a certain number can be granted each year. This number does not reflect the need for protection, as the gap between global refugee resettlement needs and available places continues to grow. In 2023, only 8% of the 2 million individuals identified by the UNHCR as most in need of resettlement received it.
The Australian government does not grant refugee status to those who arrive in the country by boat without a valid visa. This means that they are not part of the onshore protection visa count, and they cannot apply for refugee status unless the Minister allows them to. This has been the case since 2013-2014, with those arriving by boat instead being given temporary protection.
The UNHCR's Office in Canberra promotes refugee rights in Australia and 15 other countries in the region. The UNHCR supports Australia in developing national refugee legislation, increasing refugee status determination capacity, and introducing protection safeguards in immigration procedures. The organization also works with Australia on resettlement and building complementary pathways. Australia has had offshore transfer arrangements with PNG and Nauru for those who seek asylum by boat.
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Frequently asked questions
Since World War II, Australia has accepted over 950,000 refugees and humanitarian entrants as of early 2023.
In 2023, Australia granted 20,000 refugee and humanitarian visas.
In 2020, Australia had 57,411 refugees, a 1.91% decline from 2019.
Refugees can come to Australia by boat or plane. Those arriving by boat without a valid visa are subject to mandatory detention.
Australia has a cap on onshore protection visas, meaning only a certain number can be granted each year. The size of the 'onshore' part does not reflect the need for protection.
