Australians have mixed, often contradictory, views on asylum seekers, with significant support for humane treatment and helping refugees, balanced by concerns about border security, with recent polls showing a majority favour compassion (work rights, fair process) but a large minority support turning back boats, driven by housing and cost-of-living issues rather than outright opposition to multiculturalism. While some see asylum seekers as victims, others hold negative views influenced by political narratives, though overall concern about asylum seeker treatment ranks low as a top national priority compared to economic issues.
Under the Refugee Convention, Australia has legal obligations that prohibit: Returning an asylum seeker to a place of persecution (non-refoulement) Penalties based on a refugee's mode of arrival. Expulsion of a refugee who is lawfully in Australia except on the grounds of national security or public order.
As of the end of 2024, Iran was the largest refugee-hosting country in the world. According to data available by the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR, there were nearly 3.5 million refugees in Iran. Turkey was second with more than 2.9 million.
Almost half of Australians (49 per cent) believe immigration levels are too high — up from 33 per cent last year. The report found these attitudes are driven by economic and housing concerns, rather than opposition to diversity, with 85 per cent of people agreeing that multiculturalism has been good for Australia.
Over the 10 years to December 2022, Australia recognised or resettled 180,073 refugees, 0.75% of the global total of 23.99 million refugees recognised or resettled in that period. On this measure, Australia was ranked 30th overall, 41st on a per capita basis and 77th relative to national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The findings show that a majority of voters believe that Australia has a responsibility to accept refugees and people seeking asylum, and that refugees who have arrived in Australia should be treated fairly, with over 50% supporting work and study rights for those awaiting the outcome of their refugee determination ...
Our isolation means that it is much easier to control who comes into our country. This makes it much harder for refugees to seek asylum in Australia, but also means that refugees coming by boat can be seen as a threat by ordinary Australians. This sense of threat and fear has been stoked by politicians on both sides.
The top 10 issues Australians say are the most concerning
Nationality of asylum seekers and refugees
In the year to September 2025, the most common nationalities of people claiming asylum were Pakistani (11%), Eritrean (8%), Iranian (7%), Afghan (7%), and Bangladeshi (6%).
Besides those who fall in the 'legacy caseload', when a claim is rejected, a person may appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), and, failing that, they may seek judicial review. Once the appeals process has been exhausted, the person is required to leave Australia.
As a refugee or humanitarian entrant, income support payments you may be able to get include: JobSeeker Payment. Parenting Payment. disability and carer payments.
In 2025, Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian Program remains at 20,000 places. This includes referrals from the United Nations Refugee Agency, community sponsorship, and family reunion through people proposed as part of our Special Humanitarian Program, as well as people granted protection here in Australia.
Recent research found much of northern Australia could experience unliveable conditions if global temperatures increased by about 3C, which could become a reality within 40 years, Dr Howey told the conference. Such extreme conditions were found in 0.8 per cent of the planet, mostly in the Sahara Desert.
When discussing the Australian population by race, the majority of the population is considered to be white. A white person is defined as a person who has European ancestry. In Australia, about 90.2 percent of the nation's population is white.
If an asylum officer denies your affirmative asylum application, your case is typically referred to the immigration court, where you can present your claim again before a judge. If a judge later denies your case, you may file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
As a party to the Refugees Convention , Australia has agreed to ensure that people who meet the United Nations definition of refugee are not sent back to a country where their life or freedom would be threatened. This is known as the principle of non-refoulement .
Please provide the names of the refugees, the date they moved in and evidence that they have permission to stay in the UK under the scheme. Council Tax Regulations require us to issue bills in the name of the residents and therefore the refugee will be liable to pay the 50% Council Tax bill.