Refugee Week (June 15 – 21) is a time to recognise the contributions and resilience of refugees, and to reflect on Australia’s long history of welcoming people fleeing war and persecution.
Later this year, Australia will grant its one millionth refugee visa since 1947. This is a powerful reminder of how many lives have been rebuilt here, and how deeply refugees have shaped the country we are today. Across Australia, people who arrived as refugees, or whose parents or grandparents came through the program, are now part of every community.
Refugee Week is a time to ask what more we can do. Around the world, more people than ever before are being forced to leave their homes in search of safety. Australia has the ability and the community support to offer more people safety. We’re calling for an increase to the Refugee and Humanitarian Program to 27,000 places, so that more families have the chance to rebuild their lives in safety.
Australia has supported refugee resettlement for 78 years through its Refugee and Humanitarian Program. In recent years, this support has grown to include additional pathways like skilled work visas, community sponsorship, and education programs.
Refugee Council of Australia Deputy CEO Adama Kamara says reaching one million refugee and humanitarian visas is a major moment of national significance.
“It shows what’s possible when we lead with compassion and principle. Refugee Week is a reminder of the real people behind these numbers, people who are rebuilding their lives, contributing to their communities, and helping shape modern Australia. Now is the time to build on that legacy and make sure we’re ready to welcome the next million.”
As we approach the milestone of one million refugee visas, we are reminded that welcoming people in search of safety is not new; it’s who we are. Refugees are our neighbors, colleagues, classmates, and friends. This Refugee Week let’s honor that legacy by committing to do more. We have the capacity. We have community support. What’s needed now is the political will to make it happen.