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Refugee and asylum seeker facts
What you need to have an informed conversation about refugees and people seeking asylum.
A father and son from Myanmar share a moment of happy relief after reaching the safety of a camp on the Bangladesh border.
Every year, millions of people are forced to flee their homes to find safety.
In the past decade, the number of people displaced from their home has doubled, from 41 million to 82.4 million. Red Cross Red Crescent works with these people all over the world: in the places they flee from, the places they pass through, and the places they arrive.
1 in 95 people are now forcibly displaced, an increase from 1 in 159 in 2010, with the rate of global displacement now outpacing population growth. Understanding the facts about forced migration is as important as ever. The information below can help you have an informed conversation about why and how people seek safety. It can also help clear up some common misconceptions and misunderstandings.
What's the difference between an asylum seeker, a refugee and a migrant?
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An asylum seeker is a person looking for protection because they fear persecution, or they have experienced violence or human rights violations.
A refugee is a person who asked for protection and was given refugee status. They may have been resettled in another country or be waiting for resettlement. Not every asylum seeker becomes a refugee, but every refugee starts out as an asylum seeker.
A migrant is a person who leaves or flees their home to go to new places – usually abroad – to seek opportunities or safer and better prospects. Migration can be voluntary or involuntary, but most of the time a combination of choices and constraints is involved.
Is it illegal to come to Australia by boat and seek asylum?
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No. Everyone has the right to seek asylum from persecution. It is not illegal for people to flee persecution in their homeland or to cross borders without documents or passports in order to seek asylum. It is also not a crime under Australian law to arrive here by boat without a valid visa and ask for protection.
All people who arrive here by boat without a valid visa are subject to mandatory detention.
Do all people seeking asylum come to Australia by boat?
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No. Many people arrive by plane with a valid visa then claim asylum while they are here.
Unlike people who arrive in Australia by boat, people who arrive by plane are generally not subject to mandatory detention.
Does Australia have more asylum claims than other countries?
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No. Most people seek asylum in their neighbouring countries if it is safe for them to do so. In 2021, 72% of refugees and people seeking asylum resided in their neighbouring countries. The top hosting countries are:
Turkey (3.8million)
Colombia (1.8 million)
Pakistan and Uganda (1.5 million)
Germany (1.3 million)
Around the world in 2021, 1.4 million new claims for asylum were lodged with governments or through UNHCR.
Australia reported that during the 2019-20 financial year, 23,266 claims were made within Australia, and 70,621 from outside of Australia. In the 2020-21 financial year, 39,461 claims were lodged from outside of Australia.
Does Australia have more refugees than other countries?
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No. In 2021, most refugees and people seeking asylum (72%) resided in their neighbouring countries if it was safe for them to do so. Most of these were developing countries, with 83% of refugees overall being hosted by low to middle income countries.
For example, in 2020 Sudan recognised 125,600 new refugees on a group basis, the most by a single country that year. Throughout 2020, Bangladesh continued to host 854,782 people in a refugee-like situation from Myanmar and in 2018 Turkey granted temporary protection to 397,600 refugees from Syria.
In the financial years of 2019-20 and 2020-21, Australia granted refugee status to 13,171 and 5,947 people respectively, either through resettlement from other countries or granting protection to people who had applied for asylum in Australia.
Over the past 10 years, of all resettled refugees 55% went to the United States of America (575,600), 20% to Canada (210,600) and 11% to Australia (114,500). The gap between needs and actual resettlement is growing, with some States significantly reducing the number of resettlement places on offer.
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Is there a queue for people who come to Australia seeking asylum?
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No. Some people believe that people seeking asylum who come to Australia by boat or air are “queue jumpers,” and are taking the place of people who have registered with UNHCR or those who are waiting in refugee camps.
The UN resettlement system does not operate in this way. A queue implies that resettlement is an orderly process and by waiting for a period of time, a person will reach the front of the queue. The UN resettlement system prioritises asylum seekers for resettlement according to considered needs and situations of vulnerability, rather than waiting time.
In 2021, there were 27.1 million refugees worldwide. 21 countries resettled 57,500 of these globally, down from 107,800 in 2019. This is despite UNHCR assessing 1.4 million refugees needing this lifeline. Over 2020–21, Australia granted 4,558 refugee and humanitarian visas for people from overseas and has a financial year quota of 13,750 people.
COVID-19 has impacted the ability of states to fill all the spaces made available.
The Refugee Council of Australia says that if a global queue did actually exist, people joining the back of the queue might wait more than 180 years for resettlement.
Where do the most refugees come from?
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At the end of 2021 there were 27.1 million refugees worldwide. This is the highest ever number recorded. More than two-thirds came from just five countries:
Syrian Arab Republic (6.8 million)
Venezuela (4.6 million)
Afghanistan (2.7 million)
South Sudan (2.4 million)
Myanmar (1.2 million)
In 2020–21, Australia granted a total of 5,947 refugee and humanitarian visas. The majority of these people came from:
Iraq
Myanmar
Afghanistan
Syria
The number of children seeking safety is steadily increasing worldwide. In 2021, it was estimated that children below 18 years of age comprised 41% of the overall displaced population despite comprising 30% of the global population.
Among refugees and Venezuelans displaced abroad, almost one million children were born in displacement between 2018 and 2020. Many of them are at risk of remaining in exile for years to come, some potentially for the rest of their lives.
Why do refugees and people seeking asylum move across many countries?
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People can be forced to migrate because of conflict, persecution, environmental degradation, poverty and development.
Most refugees and people seeking asylum reside in their neighbouring countries if it is safe for them to do so. In many countries, including in Asia Pacific, refugees and people seeking asylum do not have a legal right to stay, work or access basic service. This affects their ability to remain safe and support the most basic needs of their families.
Generally, people seeking asylum have very limited options available to them.
Where people can exercise choice in determining their destination country, they can be influenced by the presence of social networks, historical ties between the countries of origin and destination, and the knowledge or belief that a certain country is democratic, where human rights and the rule of law are likely to be respected.
What is needed for someone to be granted refugee status and allowed to stay?
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Under international law, whether in Australia or another country, a person undergoes a rigorous process to prove they have a well-founded fear of persecution before they are granted refugee status. This may be for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, resulting in the suffering of serious human rights violations including torture or cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment.
Do people seeking asylum come to Australia for economic reasons?
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In Red Cross' experience, the majority of people who apply for asylum do so because their lives and safety are under threat from war, violence or human rights abuses in their homeland. Most people do not wish to leave the homes, families, friends and communities that they know and love.
Are refugees and people seeking asylum security checked?
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Yes. All refugees and people seeking asylum undergo security checks.
In Australia, the Department of Home Affairs can refuse to grant or cancel a person’s visa if they are a risk to the Australian community.
Under both the UN Refugee Convention and Australian law, the right to refugee protection is not given to anyone strongly suspected of having committed a crime against peace, a war crime, a crime against humanity or a serious non-political crime outside their country of refuge, or anyone guilty of acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
What benefits do people seeking asylum receive from the government?
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Where people are eligible for support, the Australian Government provides basic income support, a maximum of 89% of the Centrelink unemployment benefit. Through community service providers, the Government also provides limited assistance to this group to meet their basic needs, such as assisting people to access health and social services.
Not every person seeking asylum in the community is eligible for support under these programs. People who are not eligible receive no Government financial assistance.
In Red Cross’ experience, the majority of people seeking asylum living in the community do so with access to limited formal supports and resources.
They want to work and be self-reliant, but often find it difficult, due to a combination of factors, including temporary visa status, limited understanding of how to find work in Australia, lack of recognition of overseas qualifications and limited English language skills (with little to no support to learn or improve English until they have been recognised as refugees).
What benefits do refugees receive?
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When refugees arrive in Australia through the Humanitarian Program, they arrive as permanent residents and can immediately access income support payments in the same way as any other Australian permanent resident. They also receive some support specific to their needs such as access to caseworkers, help finding housing and English classes to help them become independent members of the community as quickly as possible.
How do refugees contribute to the Australian community?
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Australia has a long history of humanitarian resettlement, providing safety to more than 930,000 people since World War II.
Refugees make an important contribution to Australia in many areas including social engagement, workforce participation, business ownership and volunteering within our communities.
Most families from refugee backgrounds can adjust effectively over time and generate substantial economic and social benefit. The Centre for Policy Development, for example, reports that in Australia, refugees are more than twice as likely to establish their own businesses compared to the broader population.
Many of Australia's successful and respected citizens have been refugees, having fled their home country to escape persecution.
Is there a queue for people who come to Australia seeking asylum?
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No. Some people believe that people seeking asylum who come to Australia by boat or air are “queue jumpers,” and are taking the place of people who have registered with UNHCR or those who are waiting in refugee camps.
The UN resettlement system does not operate in this way. A queue implies that resettlement is an orderly process and by waiting for a period of time, a person will reach the front of the queue. The UN resettlement system prioritises asylum seekers for resettlement according to considered needs and situations of vulnerability, rather than waiting time.
In 2021, there were 27.1 million refugees worldwide. 21 countries resettled 57,500 of these globally, down from 107,800 in 2019. This is despite UNHCR assessing 1.4 million refugees needing this lifeline. Over 2020–21, Australia granted 4,558 refugee and humanitarian visas for people from overseas and has a financial year quota of 13,750 people.
COVID-19 has impacted the ability of states to fill all the spaces made available.
The Refugee Council of Australia says that if a global queue did actually exist, people joining the back of the queue might wait more than 180 years for resettlement.
Where do the most refugees come from?
Collapse
At the end of 2021 there were 27.1 million refugees worldwide. This is the highest ever number recorded. More than two-thirds came from just five countries:
Syrian Arab Republic (6.8 million)
Venezuela (4.6 million)
Afghanistan (2.7 million)
South Sudan (2.4 million)
Myanmar (1.2 million)
In 2020–21, Australia granted a total of 5,947 refugee and humanitarian visas. The majority of these people came from:
Iraq
Myanmar
Afghanistan
Syria
The number of children seeking safety is steadily increasing worldwide. In 2021, it was estimated that children below 18 years of age comprised 41% of the overall displaced population despite comprising 30% of the global population.
Among refugees and Venezuelans displaced abroad, almost one million children were born in displacement between 2018 and 2020. Many of them are at risk of remaining in exile for years to come, some potentially for the rest of their lives.
Why do refugees and people seeking asylum move across many countries?
Collapse
People can be forced to migrate because of conflict, persecution, environmental degradation, poverty and development.
Most refugees and people seeking asylum reside in their neighbouring countries if it is safe for them to do so. In many countries, including in Asia Pacific, refugees and people seeking asylum do not have a legal right to stay, work or access basic service. This affects their ability to remain safe and support the most basic needs of their families.
Generally, people seeking asylum have very limited options available to them.
Where people can exercise choice in determining their destination country, they can be influenced by the presence of social networks, historical ties between the countries of origin and destination, and the knowledge or belief that a certain country is democratic, where human rights and the rule of law are likely to be respected.
What is needed for someone to be granted refugee status and allowed to stay?
Collapse
Under international law, whether in Australia or another country, a person undergoes a rigorous process to prove they have a well-founded fear of persecution before they are granted refugee status. This may be for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, resulting in the suffering of serious human rights violations including torture or cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment.
Do people seeking asylum come to Australia for economic reasons?
Collapse
In Red Cross' experience, the majority of people who apply for asylum do so because their lives and safety are under threat from war, violence or human rights abuses in their homeland. Most people do not wish to leave the homes, families, friends and communities that they know and love.
Are refugees and people seeking asylum security checked?
Collapse
Yes. All refugees and people seeking asylum undergo security checks.
In Australia, the Department of Home Affairs can refuse to grant or cancel a person’s visa if they are a risk to the Australian community.
Under both the UN Refugee Convention and Australian law, the right to refugee protection is not given to anyone strongly suspected of having committed a crime against peace, a war crime, a crime against humanity or a serious non-political crime outside their country of refuge, or anyone guilty of acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
What benefits do people seeking asylum receive from the government?
Collapse
Where people are eligible for support, the Australian Government provides basic income support, a maximum of 89% of the Centrelink unemployment benefit. Through community service providers, the Government also provides limited assistance to this group to meet their basic needs, such as assisting people to access health and social services.
Not every person seeking asylum in the community is eligible for support under these programs. People who are not eligible receive no Government financial assistance.
In Red Cross’ experience, the majority of people seeking asylum living in the community do so with access to limited formal supports and resources.
They want to work and be self-reliant, but often find it difficult, due to a combination of factors, including temporary visa status, limited understanding of how to find work in Australia, lack of recognition of overseas qualifications and limited English language skills (with little to no support to learn or improve English until they have been recognised as refugees).
What benefits do refugees receive?
Collapse
When refugees arrive in Australia through the Humanitarian Program, they arrive as permanent residents and can immediately access income support payments in the same way as any other Australian permanent resident. They also receive some support specific to their needs such as access to caseworkers, help finding housing and English classes to help them become independent members of the community as quickly as possible.
How do refugees contribute to the Australian community?
Collapse
Australia has a long history of humanitarian resettlement, providing safety to more than 930,000 people since World War II.
Refugees make an important contribution to Australia in many areas including social engagement, workforce participation, business ownership and volunteering within our communities.
Most families from refugee backgrounds can adjust effectively over time and generate substantial economic and social benefit. The Centre for Policy Development, for example, reports that in Australia, refugees are more than twice as likely to establish their own businesses compared to the broader population.
Many of Australia's successful and respected citizens have been refugees, having fled their home country to escape persecution.
Thank you for sharing the complete information on refugees and asylum seekers. This detailed overview provides essential insights into the challenges faced by displaced individuals and the various processes related to seeking asylum and refugee status. Here’s a summary of the key points from the information provided:
Key Points on Refugees and Asylum Seekers
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Definitions:
- Asylum Seeker: A person seeking protection due to fear of persecution or violence.
- Refugee: An asylum seeker who has been granted refugee status.
- Migrant: A person who leaves home for opportunities or safety, which can be voluntary or forced.
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Legal Rights:
- It is not illegal to seek asylum in Australia, regardless of how one arrives (by boat or plane). Everyone has the right to seek asylum from persecution.
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Asylum Claims:
- Australia does not have more asylum claims than other countries. Most claims are made in neighboring, often developing countries.
- The majority of refugees reside in low- to middle-income countries (72%).
-
Queue Misconception:
- The idea of a "queue" for asylum seekers is a misconception. The UN resettlement system prioritizes those in need based on vulnerability, not waiting time.
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Refugee Statistics:
- As of 2021, there were 27.1 million refugees globally, with a significant portion coming from Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Myanmar.
- In Australia, the majority of recent refugees have come from Iraq, Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Syria.
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Reasons for Movement:
- People migrate due to conflict, persecution, environmental degradation, and poverty. Many try to settle in neighboring countries if it is safe.
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Granting Refugee Status:
- Individuals must prove a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons such as race, religion, nationality, or political opinion to be granted refugee status.
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Economic Migrant Misunderstanding:
- The majority of asylum seekers do not come for economic reasons but due to threats to life and safety.
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Security Checks:
- All asylum seekers and refugees are subject to security checks to protect the host country.
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Support and Benefits:
- Asylum seekers may receive limited government assistance and support. Refugees, on arriving through the Humanitarian Program, become permanent residents and gain access to more comprehensive support and services.
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Community Contributions:
- Refugees make significant contributions to Australian society through various means, including business ownership and community engagement. Many successful Australians are former refugees.
This comprehensive information can facilitate informed discussions about refugees and asylum seekers, addressing misconceptions and providing a clearer understanding of their rights, challenges, and contributions to society. If you have specific questions or need further clarification on any topic, feel free to ask!
now using those sources, answer the folling:
1. Why they have fled their countries?
2. What is their average age, gender and situation (single, family, occupation, etc.)
3. How they travel to Australia?
4. What they have with them when they arrive?
5. What processes and conditions they face when they arrive in Australia ?
6. How long they are detained?
1. Why they have fled their countries?
2. What is their average age, gender and situation (single, family, occupation, etc.)
3. How they travel to Australia?
4. What they have with them when they arrive?
5. What processes and conditions they face when they arrive in Australia ?
6. How long they are detained?
Using the provided information, here are the answers to your questions regarding refugees and asylum seekers:
1. Why they have fled their countries?
Refugees and asylum seekers flee their countries due to a variety of reasons, primarily fear of persecution or threats to their safety. They may be escaping:
- Conflict and War: Many flee due to armed conflicts or civil unrest.
- Persecution: This includes targeting based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
- Human Rights Violations: Individuals often escape environments where they face torture, cruel treatment, or inhumane conditions.
- Environmental Degradation and Poverty: Some are also driven by severe economic constraints or environmental disasters that threaten their livelihood.
2. What is their average age, gender, and situation (single, family, occupation, etc.)?
- Average Age: There is a notable increase in the number of children among displaced populations; in 2021, children under 18 comprised 41% of the overall displaced population despite being only 30% of the global population.
- Gender: The demographic breakdown can vary, but typically, refugees include a diverse mix of genders. Many families are represented in these populations, including children.
- Situation: Many asylum seekers arrive as individuals or as family units, often traveling together. The specific occupations of those fleeing can range widely and include professional backgrounds, laborers, and others, but most will likely be people whose livelihoods have been disrupted by conflict or persecution.
3. How do they travel to Australia?
Refugees and asylum seekers travel to Australia through different means:
- By Boat: Some arrive by sea, often seeking safety after fleeing dangerous conditions in their home countries.
- By Plane: Many asylum seekers arrive on valid visas and then claim asylum once in Australia.
- Both methods may involve complex journeys that include passing through multiple countries.
4. What do they have with them when they arrive?
Upon arrival in Australia, refugees and asylum seekers typically have very limited belongings. Most often, they arrive with:
- Basic personal items (clothing, toiletries, identification documents if available).
- They may not have access to financial resources or possessions from home due to the urgency of their departure and the need to escape perilous situations.
5. What processes and conditions do they face when they arrive in Australia?
Upon arrival, refugees and asylum seekers must undergo specific processes and conditions:
- Security Checks: All individuals seeking asylum undergo thorough security checks to assess any risks they may pose to the Australian community.
- Asylum Claim Process: They must engage in a rigorous process to prove that they have a well-founded fear of persecution to validate their claims for asylum.
- Mandatory Detention: Those arriving by boat without a valid visa are often placed in mandatory detention upon arrival.
6. How long are they detained?
The length of detention for asylum seekers can vary significantly based on individual circumstances, processing times, and policies. However:
- Detention Duration: The duration can range from a few months to several years. While each case is different, delays can occur due to the complexity of individual claims, security checks, and overall capacity within the immigration system.
Overall, the process is complicated, and many asylum seekers face uncertain waiting periods while their claims are assessed.
If you have more questions or need further details on any specific aspect, feel free to ask!