Our defining moments
Please join us in looking back at our biggest achievements and defining moments.
THE ASRC IS FOUNDED
As the Tampa Crisis unfolds, the ASRC Foodbank opens in Footscray to provide essential food and supplies to people seeking asylum.
THE FIRST PROGRAMS BEGIN
The ASRC Legal Clinic opens as the ASRC also begins to offer English Language Classes, Casework support, Health Services, a Friendship Program and Daily hot lunches to members.
1000 PEOPLE HELPED
In only its third year, the ASRC is already supporting 1000 people seeking asylum in various ways, while also commencing a Counselling Program and an English Tutoring Program.
THE ASRC TRIPLED ITS SIZE
A big year for the ASRC as both the West Melbourne and Thornbury centres are opened, the Employment Program begins and plans are developed for a Community Care Program.
ACCESS TO PUBLIC HOSPITALS
Asylum Seekers without access to Medicare are given Public Hospital access and hundreds of asylum seekers are released from detention into community settings. The ASRC completes its ‘Dumped at the Gate’ Report, while opening ASRC Catering and beginning the Detention Rights Advocacy Program.
FOODBANK REDESIGNED
The ASRC Foodbank is redesigned to allow for a supermarket-style of access for members at the Footscray Centre.
5000 PEOPLE HELPED
In 2007, the ASRC moved to West Melbourne and is now supporting more than 5000 people seeking asylum. Australia’s offshore processing regime ends and ambulance services are provided free for asylum seekers experiencing medical emergencies in Victoria. The ASRC also held a sleep-out protest at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
TEMPORARY PROTECTION VISAS END
Temporary Protection Visas end and put more pressure on people seeking asylum in Australia.
THE END OF UNFAIR PRACTICES
2009 saw the end of Detention Debt and the end of the 45 day rule which denied health care and work rights to people seeking asylum. The Nauru and Manus Island Detention Centres close and the ASRC begins its Orientation and Mentoring Programs.
ASYLUM SEEKERS IN THE COMMUNITY
Public transport concessions, as well as 300 TAFE places are provided for asylum seekers, with minors and families being transferred from immigration detention to community-based detention. The ASRC holds a theatre production of ‘Journey of Asylum’.
7000 PEOPLE HELPED
ASRC CEO Kon Karapanagiotidis was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2011, at a time when the ASRC is supporting over 7000 people seeking asylum with 1000 members. The ASRC’s 25 programs are supported by 25 full time staff and 750 dedicated volunteers.
A TERRIBLE BLOW
Offshore Processing reopens as the first transfer of people to Nauru and Manus Island occurs.
FIGHT FOR SYSTEMIC POLICY CHANGE
In 2014, the ASRC moved its operations back to Footscray. As demand increases, the ASRC’s Human Rights Law Program recruits more lawyers, while the Advocacy and Campaigns team fights for systematic policy change. Legacy Caseload legislation passes, leading to the establishment of Fast Track processing, the removal of any reference to the Refugee Convention in the MIgration Act and re-introduction of temporary visas. The Australian Human Rights Commission launches an inquiry into children in detention.
OUR SPOTLIGHT ON THEIR EXPERIENCES
The Detention Rights Advocacy program is formed as the ASRC visits Christmas Island and begins to offer casework management, crisis intervention and individual advocacy for people in onshore and offshore detention. The ASRC also collaborates on a report detailing the conditions at the Christmas Island detention centre. The #LetThemStay campaign, led by the sector, is a win for community mobilisation, resulting in baby Asha and her family being moved into the community.
ASRC REPORTS ON WRONGDOINGS
The ASRC visits Manus Island Regional Processing Centre in Papua New Guinea as footage and reports of Australia’s brutal policies regarding people seeking asylum and shameful offshore processing practices makes headlines around the world.
In response to the Fast Track deadline of October 1, the ASRC rallies to lodge Temporary Protection Visa applications for over 100 people seeking asylum who had arrived in Australia by boat. In the interim, the majority of people impacted have their SRSS privileges removed.
#EVACUATENOW COALITION SUCCESS
The #KidsOffNauru Coalition was formed as over 170,000 signatures were received on an open letter to Parliament with a petition asking for a response to the medical emergency unfolding on Nauru. This results in 349 people, including children and families being safely evacuated from Nauru.
THE MEDEVAC LEGISLATION
The Medical Evacuation Response Group is formed and the Medevac Bill becomes law. Under this Bill, 270 sick refugees are approved for urgent medical transfer, managed by the ASRC’s Detention Advocacy Team. 197 refugees are transferred before the Medevac legislation is cruelly repealed. A Senate inquiry is launched into the repeal of the Medevac legislation and the fight to keep Medevac is ultimately successful.
In 2019, the ASRC received the Special Recognition Award from international not for profit, Blueprint for Free Speech, for its advocacy work exposing the Australian Government’s mistreatment of people seeking asylum held in off-shore detention.
8 YEARS WITHOUT A HOME
The #TimeForAHome Campaign was launched in a year when the ASRC helped to block the Migration Amendment Bill, which prohibited items in immigration detention facilities. At any one time, the ASRC is providing 50 immigration detainees with intensive one-on-one help and more than 600 people seeking asylum were helped through the ASRC’s Detention Rights Advocacy Program.
ASRC IS THE LARGEST INDEPENDENT HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATION FOR REFUGEES IN AUSTRALIA
2021 marks the 20th Anniversary of the ASRC, which provides support to over 7000 people seeking asylum through 40 different programs, supported by over 1000 invaluable volunteers and over 100 staff members. The 20th Anniversary on June 8 was followed by the Canberra Convergence to send a powerful message to the Australian Government that a real solution is needed for people seeking asylum in Australia.
Connect with us
Need help from the ASRC? Call 03 9326 6066 or visit us: Mon-Tue-Thur-Fri 10am -4pm. Closed on Wednesdays.