Allan Government backs people seeking asylum in Victorian Budget

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) welcomes vital funding announced in the 2025–26 Victorian State Budget, which continues the Victorian State Government’s commitment to the safety, dignity and wellbeing of people seeking asylum.

For the past decade, the ASRC has been working with the Labor State Government on shared priorities of protection of social cohesion, investing in and supporting multicultural communities, especially those most marginalised, and tackling inequality and exclusion.

Victoria is a proudly diverse and multicultural state and this funding reflects the Allan Government’s commitment to supporting and empowering people seeking asylum to rebuild their lives in our community.

The Budget includes renewed and increased investment in the ASRC’s frontline services — including support for housing, access to basic needs, mental health care, and vocational education.

Specifically, the 2025–26 Budget includes:

• Continued funding through the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Asylum Seeker Initiative, ensuring support for people at risk of homelessness and in urgent need.
• Ongoing community mental health support for people seeking asylum over the next two years.
• Funding to continue access for eligible people seeking asylum to subsidised training through the Asylum Seeker Vocational Education and Training (ASVET) program.

ASRC CEO Kon Karapanagiotidis said the renewed support was a vital lifeline for thousands of people seeking asylum in Victoria:

“This commitment from the Allan Government helps ensure people seeking asylum can access the basics so many of us take for granted — a safe place to sleep, mental health care and opportunities for education and work,” Mr Karapanagiotidis said.

“We thank Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister Ingrid Stitt and Minister Gayle Tierney for standing with people seeking asylum and backing the ASRC’s work.

“This partnership with the Victorian Government, alongside the strength of our community supporters, ensures that people seeking asylum can live with dignity and hope.”

State government funding makes up around 10% of the organisation’s overall income and is directed specifically to its social services. The remainder comes from the wider community and philanthropic supporters.

The ASRC does not accept federal government funding in order to remain fiercely independent and advocate without compromise.

ENDS