The Department of Home Affairs has focused on Refugee Week this week as an opportunity to recognise Australia’s Humanitarian Program and the contributions humanitarian entrants make to Australia.
In a special Refugee Week theme on its website, the Department said the Week, which will run until Saturday (23 June), coincides with the United Nations World Refugee Day on Wednesday (20 June).
The Department said the Week’s theme was “Refugee Entrepreneurship and Regional Employment”.
“Refugees come to Australia with diverse cultures, skills and talents,” the Department said.
“Many demonstrate commitment to their new life in Australia by seeking out education, employment and business opportunities as well as contributing to their local communities.”
It said Australia’s Humanitarian Program provided resettlement for people who had suffered persecution or substantial discrimination amounting to gross violation of their human rights.
It said that since the end of World War II, Australia had resettled more than 880,000 refugees and people in humanitarian need.
“Australia consistently ranks as one of the top three refugee resettlement countries each year, along with the United States and Canada,” the Department said.
“The 2017–18 Humanitarian Program includes 16,250 places — an increase from 13,750 places in 2016–17 — and will include up to 1,000 places for a Community Support Program.”
It said the Humanitarian Program was set to increase further, to 18,750 places, in 2018–19.
The Department’s Refugee Week website can be accessed at this PS News link.
