About Us

Established in 1995 with a grant from the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, the Refugee Claimants Support Centre provides critical support to refugee claimants (or,asylum seekers) in the often extended period before their applications for protection are finally determined by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. The RCSC is the only organisation of its kind in Queensland. 

The Centre's work is grounded in the principles of social justice, multiculturalism and community development. As much as possible refugee claimants drive and participate in the work of the Centre. 

The goals of the Refugee Claimants Support Centre are to:

• Alleviate the suffering of refugee claimants through responding to their needs
• To foster community

Services provided by the Centre include a drop in centre, English language classes, emotional support, information and referral, limited emergency relief, computer skills, and assistance with accommodation, food, employment and health. 

The Centre also provides opportunities for group and social activities. The Centre often organises picnics and outings for asylum seekers, volunteers and the community. 

The Centre receives no ongoing funding from either Federal or State Governments. However, it has and does receive valuable and substantial, financial and non-financial support from other sources, notably: the Sisters of Mercy, Brisbane City Council, Volunteering Australia, Presentation Sisters, Multicultural Affairs Queensland, our very much valued volunteers, individual community members, not to mention the refugee claimants themselves. 

Refugee claimants, or asylum seekers, are people who, fearing persecution in their country of origin, have managed to come to Australia and lodge an application with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (or DIAC) to be recognised as a refugee in the hope of gaining protection from the Australian Government. 

Refugee claimants in Australia are denied access to most mainstream social services which can include; employment assistance, income support, English language classes, health and education services. In addition, their ability to participate in community life is limited, as a result of long periods of uncertainty about their status and, in many cases, because they are denied permission to work - a policy designed to deter non-genuine refugee claimants. 

These policies have the effect of undermining the self-esteem of genuine refugee claimants. The imposed dependency challenges their dignity and sense of identity and considerably magnifies their suffering. Many refugee claimants already suffer the long term effects of surviving torture, famine, discrimination and persecution.