Advocacy Priorities
Working with leaders, communites and decisionmakers to build a more welcoming Australia.
Our Advocacy Priorities
A welcoming and inclusive Australia.
JRS Australia advocates for policies and practices that uphold the dignity, rights and agency of refugees and people seeking asylum.
Our priorities are informed by the people we accompany, our frontline services, research and our relationships with refugee leaders, community organisations and decision-makers. We work constructively with government and parliamentarians to share evidence, offer practical recommendations and contribute to policy solutions that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Priority 1: Protect the humanitarian program
Australia has a responsibility to offer protection to people forced to flee persecution and conflict. A strong humanitarian program, fair asylum processes and pathways to safety help people rebuild their lives and reunite with family.
We advocate for a meaningful and sustainable humanitarian program, fair access to protection and policies that uphold Australia’s international obligations.
This requires:
- Maintenance of the 20,000 places in Australia’s Humanitarian Program, prioritising those most in need of protection.
- An end to offshore processing and indefinite detention.
- Practical access to family reunion for people granted protection in Australia.
- A humanitarian response to international crises.
Priority 2: Investment in frontline services
People seeking asylum can face significant barriers to housing, financial support, employment, healthcare and other essentials. Properly funded services help people meet their immediate needs, navigate complex systems and participate in their communities.
We advocate for sustained investment in services that support people seeking asylum and refugees, including people experiencing homelessness, financial hardship, disability, gender-based violence, or other barriers to stability.
This requires:
- Sustainable, long-term funding for specialist community services, like JRS Australia’s Finding Safety Project.
- Co-designed and culturally safe programs, funded to reduce the burden on communities and community services
- Removing barriers to economic participation, so people can contribute their gifts in Australia.
Priority 3: Upholding rights and dignity for people on temporary visas
People on temporary visas can face uncertainty, restricted access to essential services and barriers to work, safety and family life. Visa status should not prevent people from accessing the basic safety nets, support and protection they need.
We advocate for policies that uphold the rights and dignity of people on temporary visas, improve access to essential services and strengthen pathways to safety and stability.
This requires:
- Work rights and access to Medicare for people on temporary visas.
- Timely decision-making and clear pathways to permanency.
- Equal access to government safety nets for women experiencing violence.
- A rights-based approach to housing, food security, education, meaningful employment and self-determination to keep families out of crises.
Learn more about our campaigns.
Be part of the change
A fairer and more welcoming Australia takes collective effort. Explore our policy positions and submissions, share our advocacy, and help build support for changes that uphold the dignity and rights of refugees and people seeking asylum.
Explore our submissions here.
