Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA)

Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) We are Australia's national umbrella body for refugees and people seeking protection, and the organisations and individuals who support them.
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One in five SSI staff members arrived in Australia as refugees. Today, they are case managers, youth workers, and settle...
15/06/2026

One in five SSI staff members arrived in Australia as refugees. Today, they are case managers, youth workers, and settlement professionals - using their own experience of being welcomed to welcome others. Among Australia's one million stories are SSI team members like Zaid, Maral, Tamara, Miwa and Abuoi. Their journeys from newcomer to nation-builder reflect the most powerful truth in Australia's humanitarian story: welcome doesn't end with arrival. It multiplies.
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The Refugee Council of Australia is proud to have SSI - Settlement Services International as the event partner of Refugee Week 2026.

SSI is a national not-for-profit organisation providing dedicated human and social services. Their services connect individuals, families and children from diverse backgrounds with opportunities – from settlement support, to disability programs, community engagement initiatives and training and employment pathways.

With community at the heart of everything they do, SSI's purpose is to create a world in which everyone has access to equal opportunities.

Two years short of completing his Pharmacy degree, Nawfel was forced to flee Baghdad. Seven years later, in Australia, h...
13/06/2026

Two years short of completing his Pharmacy degree, Nawfel was forced to flee Baghdad. Seven years later, in Australia, he completed a Bachelor of Biotechnology and now contributes to innovative medical treatments.

Read his story: https://stories.refugeecouncil.org.au/ambassador/nawfel/

“We meet at a time when that work has never been more important.“Globally, more than 117 million people are displaced, i...
12/06/2026

“We meet at a time when that work has never been more important.

“Globally, more than 117 million people are displaced, including over 42 million refugees. These are not just numbers, they are lives disrupted, communities fractured, and futures placed on hold. More worryingly, there has never been so few resources assigned to assist so many…

“And yet, alongside this reality, there are also powerful stories of resilience and renewal. Here in Australia, we recently marked a significant milestone, welcoming our one-millionth humanitarian visa recipient. One million individuals who have been given a chance to leave fear behind and embrace hope in Australia, and who now contribute to the fabric of our society.

“This dual reality of immense challenge and profound resilience is at the heart of our work, but it doesn’t happen spontaneously. Supporting our clients’ through their healing journey is a privilege, but it is also complex work that requires skill, expertise and courage.”
— Jorge Aroche, CEO, STARTTS
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We are proud to have STARTTS as a major partner of Refugee Week 2026.

STARTTS provides culturally relevant psychological treatment and support, and community interventions, to help thousands of people each year heal the scars of torture and refugee trauma and rebuild their lives in Australia. STARTTS also fosters a positive recovery environment through the provision of training to services, advocacy and policy work.

"Because of my own experience seeking safety, I support people from refugee backgrounds with empathy and kindness. Our s...
11/06/2026

"Because of my own experience seeking safety, I support people from refugee backgrounds with empathy and kindness. Our stories may be different, but we move forward together - fostering hope, belonging, and the belief that even in the most challenging moments, brighter possibilities lie ahead. I help people build resilience through courage, community, and a positive attitude."

Bala Nirmanusan, Community Engagement Manager, Multicultural NSW
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The Refugee Council of Australia is proud to have Multicultural NSW as a major partner of Refugee Week 2026.

Multicultural NSW leads the NSW Government’s response to settlement. They work closely with the NSW Coordinator General for Settlement, all levels of government, community leaders and members, service providers, non-government organisations and the private sector to ensure resources and services are well-coordinated and relevant.

Ravi set up Parliament on King because he believes that creating welcoming communities is about meeting others with open...
10/06/2026

Ravi set up Parliament on King because he believes that creating welcoming communities is about meeting others with openness and care. It’s the place Hani ended up securing her first job in Australia, and where the friendship between the two was born.

Read their stories: https://www.refugeeweek.org.au/stories-of-freedom

We’re proud to have the City of Sydney as a major partner for Refugee Week 2026. Their campaign this year features two o...
09/06/2026

We’re proud to have the City of Sydney as a major partner for Refugee Week 2026. Their campaign this year features two of our Refugee Ambassadors, Nawfel and Shabnam, who will be speaking at the City of Sydney’s Refugee Week events.

The City of Sydney is the local government for central Sydney and its surrounds. It has been a Refugee Welcome Zone since 2005, having declared its commitment to welcoming refugees and people seeking asylum in the local area.

We'd love to see how you're celebrating Refugee Week! Use and to tag your posts so we can share them.
07/06/2026

We'd love to see how you're celebrating Refugee Week! Use and to tag your posts so we can share them.

This Refugee Week, we're proud to celebrate and share the stories of our staff. Deena, an Assyrian former refugee from I...
07/06/2026

This Refugee Week, we're proud to celebrate and share the stories of our staff. Deena, an Assyrian former refugee from Iraq, is the Refugee Council's Director of Community Engagement. She shares her reflections on Australia welcoming a million refugees.

Though not from a refugee background himself, Ravi is deeply connected with refugee and asylum-seeking communities in Sy...
06/06/2026

Though not from a refugee background himself, Ravi is deeply connected with refugee and asylum-seeking communities in Sydney. Getting to know people like Hani, a former refugee from Somalia, has not only shaped his perspective, but changes how he lives his life.

Their friendship, built over a decade and counting, is filled with conversation and laughter. And it began because of the safe space Ravi created that Hani was welcomed into - Parliament on King.

Read their stories: https://www.refugeeweek.org.au/stories-of-freedom/

This Story of Freedom is sponsored by Thrive Refugee Enterprise, which helps refugees start their own businesses in Australia. Thrive provides business education, planning support and financial loans to help over 2,500 refugees get started in business.

We are proud to have Thrive Refugee Enterprise as a partner of Refugee Week 2026.

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Surry Hills, NSW

Telephone

+61292119333

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