Band 4 (transitional People released from Short term transitional support support) detention through the Referrals to community support grant of a visa services including Medicare and 47 people Centrelink Assistance to find accommodation Band 5 (community Lawful non-citizens Casework support to address health assistance support) with complex barriers and wellbeing, vulnerabilities and to resolving their other identified barriers 809 people immigration status Band 6 (asylum People seeking Casework assistance seeker assistance asylum who are Income support paid at 89% of scheme) experiencing financial equivalent Centrelink rates hardship 22,732 people Community alternatives to detention promote better health and wellbeing outcomes than closed detention, provided that fundamental rights are respected and basic needs are met. One of the most positive developments in this regard since the publication of the Commission’s first Snapshot Report has been the reinstatement of work rights for most asylum seekers living in the community. As at 25 August 2016, 27,005 asylum seekers who arrived in Australia by boat were living in the community on Bridging Visas with work rights. The Commission warmly welcomes the reinstatement of work rights. There remain concerns about the services currently delivered through the SRSS program (particularly under Band 6) and whether they are sufficient to ensure an adequate standard of living. Studies by the Australian Red Cross and UNHCR have found that asylum seekers living in the community face destitution, social isolation and challenges in securing adequate housing and employment. Limited access to English language tuition and other key services (such as employment support services) also hamper their ability to establish themselves in the community. conditions are of particular concern in light of the prolonged delays in the processing of asylum claims since 2012. As at the beginning of 2017, of the 30,814 asylum seekers currently in Australia who previously arrived by boat and are undergoing refugee status determination, just 6,610 have received a final decision. Around 40 per cent (12,583 people) have not yet lodged a visa application. Both the Australian Red Cross and UNHCR identified uncertainty relating to the processing of claims as a key factor contributing to poor mental health outcomes. Researchers at the University of Melbourne have described a clinical syndrome specifically related to the prolonged process of seeking asylum, termed ‘protracted asylum seeker syndrome’. Additionally, at least seven people seeking asylum have committed suicide while living in the community since the beginning of 2014.
Band 4 (transitional support) 47 people People released from detention through the grant of a visa Short term transitional support Referrals to community support services including Medicare and Centrelink Assistance to find accommodation Band 5 (community assistance support) 809 people Lawful non-citizens with complex barriers to resolving their immigration status Casework support to address health and wellbeing, vulnerabilities and other identified barriers Band 6 (asylum seeker assistance scheme) 22,732 people People seeking asylum who are experiencing financial hardship Casework assistance Income support paid at 89% of equivalent Centrelink rates Community alternatives to detention promote better health and wellbeing outcomes than closed detention, provided that fundamental rights are respected and basic needs are met. One of the most positive developments in this regard since the publication of the Commission’s first Snapshot Report has been the reinstatement of work rights for most asylum seekers living in the community. As at 25 August 2016, 27,005 asylum seekers who arrived in Australia by boat were living in the community on Bridging Visas with work rights. The Commission warmly welcomes the reinstatement of work rights. There remain concerns about the services currently delivered through the SRSS program (particularly under Band 6) and whether they are sufficient to ensure an adequate standard of living. Studies by the Australian Red Cross and UNHCR have found that asylum seekers living in the community face destitution, social isolation and challenges in securing adequate housing and employment. Limited access to English language tuition and other key services (such as employment support services) also hamper their ability to establish themselves in the community. conditions are of particular concern in light of the prolonged delays in the processing of asylum claims since 2012. As at the beginning of 2017, of the 30,814 asylum seekers currently in Australia who previously arrived by boat and are undergoing refugee status determination, just 6,610 have received a final decision. Around 40 per cent (12,583 people) have not yet lodged a visa application. Both the Australian Red Cross and UNHCR identified uncertainty relating to the processing of claims as a key factor contributing to poor mental health outcomes. Researchers at the University of Melbourne have described a clinical syndrome specifically related to the prolonged process of seeking asylum, termed ‘protracted asylum seeker syndrome’. Additionally, at least seven people seeking asylum have committed suicide while living in the community since the beginning of 2014.
AHRC_Snapshot%20Report_2nd%20edition_2017_Final.docx