Review of Australia’s Community Support ProgramIn July 2020, the Coordinator-General commenced a review into Australia’s Community Support Program (CSP).
The review was informed by a series of roundtable meetings convened by the Coordinator-General, the Refugee and Migrant Services Advisory Council (RaMSAC), and targeted stakeholders. An evaluation of the program’s performance, reports and submissions to Government, discussions with CSP entrants and their supporters, and engagement with international counterparts also informed the review.
On 3 May 2021, the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs was handed the Findings of the Review of the Community Support Program.
Changes to the Community Support Program
Findings of the Review of the Community Support Program showed that the existing CSP provides a valuable alternative pathway to family reunion for humanitarian entrants. It also showed that high upfront costs were a barrier to greater engagement in the program.
Stemming from the CSP Review, changes to the program commenced on 19 August 2022. The changes included reducing the Visa Application Charge (VAC) for primary applicants, and removing the VAC for secondary applicants. This means that family size will not impact the total VAC.
Additional amendments to the Assurance of Support (AoS) scheme commenced on 19 August 2022. These changes complement the AoS changes implemented by the Department of Social Services on 1 July 2022.
The CSP Visa Application Charges for applications made on or after 1 July 2023 are:
| | VAC1 | VAC2 | Total |
|---|
Primary applicant | $535 | $7,270 | $7,805 |
Secondary applicant | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot
Following the review of the CSP a new community supported settlement pathway for refugees is being trialled. The Australian Government is investing $8.6 million to support up to 1,500 participants in the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP). Participants will be drawn from within the Humanitarian Program, over four years from 2022.
CRISP provides the opportunity for more Australians to support refugees to settle in Australia. CRISP provides a dedicated settlement pathway for un-linked refugees – those without existing family connections in Australia.
Refugees arriving through CRISP have access to the same income support and Medicare as other refugees arriving in Australia. However, CRISP participants are helped to settle by a group of trained community volunteers, rather than government-funded settlement service providers. Community supporter groups provide a range of practical and in-kind settlement and integration support. This includes help with finding housing, work and learning English.
The Government is partnering with Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA). CRSA is administering the program.
