Refugee Week
Australia celebrates Refugee Week 2026 from 14-20 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 a million 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 with their theme for this year being A Million Stories. This theme reflects on the milestone of Australia having welcomed one million refugees. It celebrates the story of each one of the million refugees and their lives in Australia.
A Million Stories Starts With One
During Refugee Week 2026, the Department of Home Affairs acknowledges the milestone of granting Australia’s one millionth permanent humanitarian visa since the end of the Second World War.
Australia has a long and proud tradition of resettling migrants and refugees and vulnerable people in humanitarian need.
In July 1947, the Australian Government signed an agreement with the International Refugee Organization to settle persons under the Displaced Persons Scheme. This led to more than 170,000 Europeans arriving to Australia by 1954.
In November 1947, over 800 men and women from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania arrived in Fremantle before heading to Bonegilla Migrant Reception Camp near Wodonga. They were the first of 170,000 displaced persons resettled in Australia after the Second World War.
1951 Refugee Convention
2026 also marks the 75th anniversary of the
1951 Refugee Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol are the key legal documents that protect the rights of refugees at the international level.
Australia was involved in the drafting of the 1951 Refugee Convention. We ratified the convention in 1954 with some of the obligations implemented through the
Migration Act 1958.
Since then, Australia has welcomed refugees from all over the world.
Australia’s humanitarian and settlement programs
Australia is one of the global leaders in international resettlement efforts, with our Humanitarian Program set to 20,000 places in 2023-24. This was the highest intake since 2012-13, and we welcomed the same number of entrants in 2025‑26 and will again for 2026-27.
Australia’s
Refugee and Humanitarian Program works to:
- respond to global humanitarian need
- provide protection to refugees
- help refugees to settle and become empowered to fully participate in Australian society.
Refugee and Special Humanitarian Program visa holders have access to a range of specialised settlement services, before and after arrival in Australia. These are funded through the Department of Home Affairs.
Before their departure for Australia, Refugee and Special Humanitarian Program visa applicants and holders can access the Australian Cultural Orientation (AUSCO) program. This program gives practical advice about the journey to Australia, including information about what to expect post-arrival.
After arrival, the Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) supports humanitarian entrants to integrate into Australian life. It helps entrants to build the skills and knowledge they need to become self-reliant and active members of the community. HSP is delivered in each state and territory by service providers with extensive experience working with humanitarian entrants. The HSP is delivered across 24 settlement locations.
The Australian Government also funds Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS), Youth Transition Support (YTS), Economic Pathways to Refugee Integration (EPRI) and the National Community Hubs Program (NCHP):
- SETS is an early intervention national settlement program. It has a focus on social participation, economic wellbeing, independence, personal wellbeing and community connectedness. 103 organisations deliver SETS across Australia.
- YTS helps to build capability and resilience in humanitarian entrants to stay engaged in education and make successful transitions into employment. It is also available to other eligible young migrants aged 15-25. Six providers deliver YTS in key locations in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
- EPRI provides employment assistance to refugees who have lower skill levels and lower English language proficiency.
- The NCHP provides tailored, in community support to migrants and humanitarian entrants, with a focus on helping migrant women and their families. Community Hubs are based in primary schools. They serve as gateways to connect families with each other, with their school and with existing services. They assist participants with learning English, developing new skills, finding employment and to access Government support services.
Read more about how we help refugees to
settle in Australia.
Early community support can also make a real difference to refugees and their settlement journey. There are lots of ways you can help our newest arrivals build their lives in Australia if you want to get involved.
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.
