Building a Caring Future: Why Frontline Support Matters

When you think of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, you might picture a welcoming space, a shared meal, or a message of hope. Behind the scenes, our frontline teams provide safety, dignity and stability through essential services – from Foodbank and health clinics to housing and legal support. These programs are lifelines, helping people access food, healthcare, housing and justice so they can rebuild their lives with confidence. Restoring dignity allows people to thrive, connect and contribute, creating stronger, fairer communities for all.

Tangible support through the ASRC Foodbank

At the heart of every strong community is care – and at the ASRC, that care starts with tangible support. Each week, our Foodbank provides essential groceries and fresh produce to thousands of people seeking asylum, while our Community Meals program serves free, culturally appropriate hot meals four days a week. Beyond nourishment, these meals offer dignity, connection, and a welcoming space where people are listened to and respected. Last year, we provided over 12,000 Community Meals and supported more than 4,000 people through the Foodbank, helping restore stability and open pathways toward a more secure future.

A safe place to rebuild in

Having a safe place to call home is fundamental to wellbeing. For people seeking asylum, housing is more than shelter – it’s safety, security and the foundation for rebuilding a life in a new country. Last year, our housing support provided 31,609 nights of shelter to individuals and families escaping homelessness and instability, offering not just a roof overhead but a sense of belonging and the confidence to look forward again. While the cost-of-living crisis affects everyone, people seeking asylum face it without access to the usual safety nets, making programs like this all the more vital.

Protection through legal support

Access to legal advice can be the difference between safety and being returned to danger. Immigration law, especially in relation to people seeking asylum and refugees, can be confusing to navigate. ASRC’s Human Rights Law Program provides free legal support to people seeking asylum, helping over 1,100 individuals or families in the last year. Our lawyers and volunteers guide people through complex immigration processes, fight for their right to remain in Australia.This work not only protects lives but upholds justice and human rights – ensuring that safety, fairness and dignity remain at the centre of our community.

This International Day of Care and Support, we celebrate the everyday acts of compassion that make a real difference. At the ASRC, every service — from food and shelter to legal support — goes beyond meeting immediate needs. It restores dignity, builds stability, and creates pathways for people seeking asylum to thrive, turning uncertainty into hope and opening doors to a safer, fairer future.

If you’d like to help the ASRC continue to provide frontline services, you can donate today.