Organisation : Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia
Location : ACT Regional, Adelaide, Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, NSW Regional, NT Regional, Perth, QLD Regional, SA Regional, Sydney, TAS Regional, VIC Regional, WA Regional (Operates nationally)
Time required : Flexible
Duration of project : 12 months
Sector : Community Development, Community Support Services, Humanitarian
Application closing date : 30 Apr, 2024
About the role
Groups of everyday Australians can now support refugee arrivals under the ‘CRISP’ program – the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot.
What’s involved?
- An independent and self-directed group of 5+ adult volunteers (you!) are trained by Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA) to support newly arrived refugees for their first 12 months in the country.
- Refugee participants in urgent need of resettlement are referred into the program by the UNHCR and matched with a volunteer group.
- Refugee participants arrive as permanent residents with full Centrelink and Medicare entitlements.
- The group will offer a warm welcome and a soft landing. They will raise funds towards their efforts to support the initial needs of the refugee household, and help them get to know their new neighbourhood.
- The group will support the refugee household to enrol in government services, enrol in school, and pursue their aspirations based on their own needs and capabilities.
Who can apply?
Anybody! You don’t need any special skills – just the desire to be an ally to a newcomer. If you’ve lived in Australia, you’ve got the know-how and experience to empower newly-arrived refugees to navigate life here.
The program operates all over Australia – it’s just as appropriate for rural people who’d like to welcome new arrivals as it is for their city cousins.
Do I need to already have a group of five people?
No – but it’s a good time to start having some conversations with friends. We’ve got some tips on finding a group as well as a Facebook page where you can find like-minded individuals and form a group.
What is the time commitment?
We estimate the entire group will need to provide around 10-15 hours support per week between them, with more help needed in the first few weeks and assistance tapering off across the year.
This is a flexible schedule that will be determined by your group, with consideration of the needs of the refugee participants
About the organisation
Initially launched as a joint initiative of a group of leading Australian charities and nonprofits, Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA) is now an independent charity organisation with a vision to play a leading role in encouraging, developing and supporting the implementation of a community-led refugee support program in Australia.
In 2022, CRSA partnered with the Department of Home Affairs to design and deliver Australia's new community sponsorship program, the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP). The pilot aims to demonstrate how the generosity, goodwill and social capital of everyday Australians can be harnessed to expand and improve refugee settlement.
How to apply
Applications not allowed for this volunteering opportunity.
Please quote in application: Welcome refugees into your community via Pro Bono Australia.
