What is UNHCR’s role in Australia?
In Australia, the main role of UNHCR is to supervise the Australian Government’s implementation of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.
Read more about the 1951 Convention on UNHCR’s website.
In Australia, UNHCR can help with:
In Australia, UNHCR does NOT have the authority to:
- Receive and review asylum applications
- Issue refugee documents
- Influence the outcome of your application
What is the Australian Government’s role in protecting refugees and asylum-seekers?
The Australian Government has signed the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol.
Australia has also made a commitment to follow international standards for protecting refugees and asylum-seekers.
The Australian Government has created national laws and procedures for refugees and asylum-seekers. This means that people applying for asylum in Australia have to follow these national laws and procedures.
In Australia, the Government is responsible for:
- Processing international protection claims
- Recognising someone as a refugee
- Facilitating refugee their integration.
Where is UNHCR located in Australia?
UNHCR’s Representation is in Canberra, the capital city of Australia.
The Representation in Canberra is a regional office, and is responsible for the promotion and protection of refugee rights in these countries:
- Australia
- Cook Islands
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Marshall Islands
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Niue
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
Contact details
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.unhcr.org/au/
Address: 14 Kendall Lane, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
Our office does not generally meet individuals in-person – we encourage people to contact us by email.
Emergency Contact
If you are in an emergency situation in our region, you can contact our emergency protection line at: + 61 408 619 052
Please note this number is for emergency protection concerns only. For all non-emergency inquiries, kindly email our office on: [email protected]