COVID-19

This explainer sets out the key issues for asylum seeking in Australia that have emerged in the first months of the coronavirus crisis. The long-term implications of COVID-19 for asylum policy in Australia are yet to play out.

Immigration detention

The Department of Health identifies people in detention facilities as among ‘the people most at risk’ of serious infection of COVID-19. Currently, 569 asylum seekers are in immigration detention centres in Australia, with a further 577 people in alternative accommodation, including hotels. Thus far, there have been no reports of COVID-19 infections among detainees, though one immigration detention staff member has tested positive for the virus.

The Australian Human Rights Commissioner, more than 1100 doctors and the Refugee Council of Australia have called for the movement of people from detention into the community. Before the crisis, 846 people were living in community detention.

In PNG and Nauru concerns were raised about COVID-19 risks to the 430 asylum seekers and refugees located there. Resettlement flights to the USA were suspended indefinitely, and Canadian sponsorship applications continue to be assessed but flights are suspended.

Asylum seekers living in the community

Asylum seekers on temporary visas are not eligible for wage subsidies implemented as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. People on Bridging visas are ineligible for the Jobkeeper or Jobseeker program. The Refugee Council of Australia estimates that close to 90,000 people on bridging visas have no safety net during this time. Moreover, some asylum seekers living in the community do not have access to Medicare, which may pose health risks if they become unwell.

The ACT, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria have announced packages of support to enable asylum seekers and others on temporary visas to access essential goods and services if they are experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19.

Asylum procedures

Protection procedures are continuing. Lodgement of asylum applications and other documents is available electronically or by post. Interviews for asylum procedures at both the Department of Immigration and the Administrative Appeal Tribunal are continuing by phone.

Resettlement

UNHCR has temporarily suspended its resettlement operations in light of the coronavirus crisis. Australia resettles 18,750 refugees each year, though Australia’s humanitarian program resettles a mix of UNHCR-referred and other refugees each year.

Resettlement of refugees in Papua New Guinea and Nauru to the United States under a 2016 bilateral agreement has also been suspended. Under the agreement, 702 refugees have been transferred to the United States, while 439 people remain in Papua New Guinea and Nauru.

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Last updated 5 May 2020