A coalition of refugee organisations has condemned the Australian government’s decision to slash support to people seeking asylum in the 2020-21 Budget. This decision, they say, puts over 100 000 people, including around 16 000 children, at further risk of homelessness and destitution.

This paper examines how unemployment and income loss for temporary humanitarian visa holders impacts on their health and well-being, and projects some of the subsequent fiscal implications for State and Territory governments.

This briefing focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on asylum seekers holding Bridging Visas (BVs “A”, “C” and “E”), and refugees on Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEVs) and Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs).

It has been seven years since the Australian government announced that anyone who arrived in Australia by boat to seek protection would be taken to offshore processing centres. This report provides a snapshot of where Australia is at, seven years after the July 2013 announcement.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put paid to the Australian Government reaching its target of 17,100 offshore refugee resettlement visas in 2019-20 and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) achieving its goal of supporting the resettlement of 70,000 refugees globally in 2020.