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Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea hosts some 11,800 asylum seekers and refugees. Around 100 people were transferred there under PNG’s former regional processing arrangement with Australia, most from Indonesia.

UNHCR supports PNG in developing national refugee legislation and policy through technical advice and capacity-building activities, with a particular focus on promoting access to asylum procedures, implementing protection-sensitive entry systems, and maintaining the civilian character of asylum and access to naturalisation. UNHCR also works closely with PNG on its refugee emergency contingency plan and response to asylum seeker/refugee arrivals in the two border provinces. This includes collaborating with partners on activities that support local integration and self-sufficiency.

UNHCR also monitors the situation of Australia’s offshore refugees and asylum-seekers in PNG.

Additional information

For information about our work in Papua New Guinea:

Help

Are you a refugee or asylum-seeker in Papua New Guinea? Find information about your rights and available services on our HELP site.

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Regional website

Visit the UNHCR regional website (UNHCR Regional Representation in Canberra) for more information on our work in the region and the latest local news and stories.

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Legislation and guidance

For legislation, case law and UNHCR policy relating to claims for international protection, visit Refworld.

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Office contact details

Papua New Guinea is covered by the following UNHCR office:

Street and postal address

14 Kendall Lane, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

Please note that an appointment must be set to visit the office.

Email

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