Resettling those in need
Australia celebrated Refugee Week 2024 from 16-22 June. Refugee Week is an opportunity to reflect on Australia's long history of resettling refugees and others in humanitarian need. We also acknowledge the many contributions they make to Australia.
Since the end of the Second World War, Australia has accepted more than 950,000 refugees and humanitarian entrants. Refugees have brought diversity to our cities, suburbs and towns. This diversity has helped create the Australia that we know and enjoy today.
Refugee Week is a national event coordinated by the Refugee Council of Australia. The theme of Refugee Week 2024 was 'Finding Freedom: Family'. This explores and celebrates the power of family bonds. This theme also extends this connection to:
- extended and chosen families
- neighbours
- support systems upon arrival in Australia.
Enhancing economic participation
A focus for Refugee Week 2024 events was the partnership between:
- government
- community
- the private sector.
These partnerships improve economic participation for humanitarian entrants.
A review by Professor Peter Shergold AC,
Investing in Refugees Investing in Australia, noted opportunities to increase the economic participation of refugees. This review recommended the Government invest in labour market integration strategies. Economic participation is an enabler of successful settlement and integration for all new migrants to Australia.
The Government’s
Economic Pathways to Refugee Integration (EPRI) program shows our commitment to supporting evidence-based projects. These create jobs and pathways to employment and self-employment for refugees in local labour markets.
EPRI is a three-year program targeted at refugees who have lower skill levels and English language proficiency. It recognises their heightened risk of long-term unemployment.
It provides funding to social enterprises with demonstrated ability to support refugees and humanitarian entrants to become employed or self‑employed.
Projects funded under EPRI aim to support refugees and humanitarian entrants in priority employment regions. These regions are determined by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. They have high numbers of refugees and humanitarian entrants with lower skill and English language proficiency.
There are also several innovative programs involving private enterprise that successfully connect humanitarian entrants into employment. These include:
- the not-for-profit organisation
CareerSeekers. This supports humanitarian entrants into professional careers.
- the not-for-profit organisation Thrive Refugee Enterprise. This helps refugees and asylum seekers become financially independent by starting or growing their own small businesses.
These programs build on the strong contribution that refugees and humanitarian entrants make to Australia’s economy.
Minister Giles also established the
Settlement Advisory Council in May 2023. This Council gives advice on policies, programs and services. It aims to improve settlement and integration results for refugees and humanitarian entrants.
The Council, through its Economic Participation sub-committee, considers proactive strategies to improve the economic participation for humanitarian entrants. This fosters positive integration outcomes.
Australia’s humanitarian and settlement programs
Australia is one of the global leaders in international resettlement efforts, placing us in the top five resettlement countries in 2023. In 2023-24 we set the Humanitarian Program to 20,000 places. This was the highest intake since 2012-13, and we will welcome the same number of entrants in 2024‑25.
In the 2024-25 Budget we have invested $120.9 million on several programs to deliver better economic and social results for refugees. This comprises of:
- $86.6 million to improve the sustainability of settlement services
- $27 million to extend successful programs, including the Youth Transition Support program. This funding will also support refugee and migrant women experiencing domestic and family violence.
We have also provided $13.1 million in targeted investments to support refugee and migrant women. This includes funding for the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support program, and to support visa holders experiencing domestic and family violence.
Get involved with Refugee Week
Stay tuned for more information on how you can participate in Refugee Week 2025.
Success stories
Countless refugees have built new lives in Australia. These stories highlight the skills, passion and commitment they bring to our multicultural society. Discover their inspiring stories.
