Consultations Highlight Challenges and Opportunities for Refugee Communities and Service Providers in Western Australia

Perth, Australia – What does successful settlement look like for refugees rebuilding their lives in Australia? What challenges remain after arrival, and how can communities and organizations work together to create lasting opportunities?

These were among the questions explored during a recent UNHCR visit to Perth, where refugee community leaders, people with lived experience, frontline service providers and advocacy organizations came together to discuss the realities of settlement in Western Australia.

Hosted by the Multicultural Services Centre of Western Australia (MSCWA) and jointly undertaken in partnership with the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA), the consultations were a valuable opportunity to hear directly from those supporting refugees every day, and from refugees themselves.

"These discussions were first and foremost an opportunity to listen," said Soo-Jin Rhee, UNHCR Representative for Australia, New Zealand, PNG and the Pacific.

"The insights shared by service providers, community leaders and people with lived experience are invaluable in helping us understand how policy settings translate into real-world outcomes for refugees and humanitarian entrants," said Rhee.

For more than four decades, MSCWA has supported culturally and linguistically diverse communities across Western Australia through a broad range of services, including settlement support, employment assistance, housing, family and community services, aged care, disability support and community advocacy.

During discussions with settlement, health and community service providers, participants highlighted the critical role local organizations play in helping refugees rebuild their lives after arrival. Conversations focused on access to affordable housing, healthcare, education, employment opportunities, language services, and social connections that help people feel part of their new communities.

Consultations with refugee community leaders and people with lived experience reinforced that protection does not end once a refugee reaches safety. Many spoke about the continuing emotional toll of conflict, particularly for those with family members and loved ones still living in situations of insecurity overseas. Community leaders also raised concerns about the growing impact of social media-driven bullying and incidents of racial discrimination and violence.

A recurring theme throughout the consultations was the essential role of grassroots organizations. Community leaders noted that while these organizations often hold the trust of refugee communities and are best placed to respond to local needs, they frequently operate with limited resources and funding. Despite the significant pressures this creates, community leaders remain committed to strengthening support networks and advancing successful integration outcomes.

"Successful settlement is one of the most important aspects of achieving durable solutions for refugees," Rhee said. "Access to essential services and meaningful opportunities enables refugees not only to rebuild their lives with dignity and security, but also to contribute fully to the communities that welcome them."

The Perth consultations form part of UNHCR’s ongoing engagement with refugee communities and stakeholders across Australia. By listening directly to those delivering services and those with lived experience of displacement, UNHCR seeks to ensure its advocacy and policy engagement remain grounded in local realities and responsive to the needs of refugees and humanitarian entrants.