Australia
Australia
Australia remains a key actor in the region’s protection landscape, balancing border management with ongoing legal reforms, resettlement efforts, and regional cooperation on refugee protection.
Are you a refugee, asylum-seeker or stateless person looking for help? Visit the HELP site to find support and services from UNHCR.
Key statistics
124,288
people were displaced or stateless (or returning from forced displacement) within the country at the end of 2024
91,340
people were identified as asylum-seekers in the country at the end of 2024, mostly from Syria and Afghanistan
$4.8 million
are needed in 2025 to ensure operations covered by the Australia multi-country office* are sustained
*UNHCR’s operations in Australia are managed by the Australia multi-country office, which also oversees operations in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and 16 Pacific islands, with needs budgeted jointly.
Australia continues to play a prominent role in regional protection efforts while navigating a complex asylum landscape shaped by legal reforms and ongoing political debate. The country made important progress, including the launch of the Pacific Engagement Visa to enhance regional mobility, leadership in global resettlement discussions, and the release of a new Multicultural Framework Review aimed at strengthening social cohesion. UNHCR continues to advocate for fair and humane asylum policies, while supporting Australia’s efforts to expand resettlement and complementary pathways.
The UNHCR Office in Canberra engages with government, civil society, and regional partners across 16 Pacific countries and territories, promoting access to protection, refugee status determination, and legal safeguards. UNHCR also monitors the situation of people affected by offshore processing arrangements in Nauru and formerly in Papua New Guinea, while calling for durable solutions and greater regional responsibility-sharing. As of 2024, Australia hosts tens of thousands of refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless individuals, and remains a critical partner in advancing international protection and solutions in the Asia-Pacific region.
Australia as a donor
Find out more about the funds raised by the government and private sector in Australia to support UNHCR.
Latest updates
Population and financial overview
Australia
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Populations
Population types
Population types
Population by country
Population by country
Population by origin
Population by origin
Financial
Budget and expenditure trend
Budget and expenditure trend
Budget by pillar
Budget by pillar
Budget by objective
Budget by objective
Expenditure by Outcome Area
Expenditure by Outcome Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
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Strategy - Country
Strategy
Office contact details
Street and postal address
14 Kendall Lane, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
Please note that an appointment must be set to visit the office.
- Protection Inquiries: [email protected]
- Media and Public Information Inquiries: [email protected]
Phone
- Protection inquiries (3 pm to 5 pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday): +61 262 819 100
- Media and Public Information Inquiries: + 61 424 545 569
- Donation Inquiries in Australia (Australia for UNHCR): 1300 361 288
- Donation Inquiries in New Zealand (Aotearoa New Zealand for UNHCR): +64 941 47 883
Timezone
+10 GMT
Working hours
- Monday: 8:45 - 17:00
- Tuesday: 8:45 - 17:00
- Wednesday: 8:45 - 17:00
- Thursday: 8:45 - 17:00
- Friday: 8:45 - 17:00
