Back to School
Every child deserves the chance to learn, make friends and feel like they belong. You can help make that possible.
Help a child seeking asylum get ready for school
Every child deserves the chance to learn, make friends and feel like they belong. You can help make that possible.
For children seeking asylum in Australia, the cost of going to school can be a real challenge. Families may be living on very limited incomes while trying to cover school uniforms, books, stationery and enrolment fees.
Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Australia supports children and families seeking asylum to overcome these barriers. Through practical assistance, casework and advocacy, we help families navigate the school system and give children more opportunities to participate in school life.
You can make that happen.
In 2026
58 Children Seeking Asylum
Granted access to fee waivers for free education in New South Wales, thanks to specialist support from JRS Australia’s caseworkers.
284 Backpacks
full of school supplies, shared with children seeking asylum in Western Sydney at the start of the school year!
$3,500 in enrolment fees
and 258 hours of casework to ensure over 30 local children seeking asylum were enrolled in school.
CSPD Schools: time to put your faith into action!
Are you a student who wants to help? A parent looking for a meaningful cause to support? A teacher who wants to get your school community involved?
There are lots of ways to take part!
- Start your own fundraiser. Set a fundraising goal, share why this cause matters to you and invite friends and family to donate.
- Get your school involved. Organise a bake sale, gold coin donation, sponsored challenge or another creative fundraising activity.
- Join forces with your community. Bring together students, parents, teachers and local groups to help more children access education.
Join your school’s fundraiser today and help children seeking asylum get ready for the new school year!
What can your donation do?
🎒 $50 helps provide one child with a school bag, pens, notebooks and other classroom essentials
👕 $100 helps provide one child with a school uniform and school shoes so they feel comfortable and included at school
📚 $150 covers school enrolment fees to ease the financial pressure on families struggling with school expenses.
💛 $500 funds casework support to assist a family with their school enrolment process.
🌱 $1,000 can set a child up for the whole school year, with enrolment support, school supplies, uniforms and everything they need to thrive in the classroom.
📢 $20,000 funds our next 6 months of ongoing specialist casework and advocacy for children seeking asylum in New South Wales.
Make your school proud!
To celebrate the creativity and generosity of students, three awards will be presented to schools taking part in this year’s Back to School campaign!
Winning schools will receive a certificate and a feature in JRS Australia’s social channels. Winners will be announced from 10 December 2026.
Don’t forget to keep in touch with Kristen at schools@jrs.org.au to keep us up to date with your fundraising plans. Donations under the award will close 7 December 2026.
Track your school’s progress!
Help make school possible for every child
All children deserve the opportunity to learn, build friendships and look forward to their future. Your support can help children seeking asylum access the essentials they need and feel more included in their school communities.
Questions? Contact Kristen Lazarus, JRS Australia’s Schools and Community Engagement Officer, at kristen.lazarus@jrs.org.au.
