Safety for all

Safety for all

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Thousands of people seeking asylum currently have no right to work or study in Australia. 

The rules are arbitrary, depending on what type of visa you are on. Some people have found jobs or started businesses and then all of a sudden had their work rights stripped away, just because their visa application was moved onto a new phase. 

It’s not fair. All refugees and people seeking asylum should have the right to work, study and rebuild their lives.

Unlocking the potential of people seeking asylum is a practical solution to Australia’s skill shortage. Many people without work ...

Thousands of people seeking asylum currently have no right to work or study in Australia. 

The rules are arbitrary, depending on what type of visa you are on. Some people have found jobs or started businesses and then all of a sudden had their work rights stripped away, just because their visa application was moved onto a new phase. 

It’s not fair. All refugees and people seeking asylum should have the right to work, study and rebuild their lives.

Unlocking the potential of people seeking asylum is a practical solution to Australia’s skill shortage. Many people without work rights have exactly the skills we need to address the housing crisis and improve critical sectors like health and aged care. 

Labor’s made previous commitments to address these restrictive visa conditions but they haven’t done it. 

The Minister for Home Affairs could make this change without passing legislation, all he needs is the political will. 

Let’s show the Government that the community expects better. 

Sign the petition to protect the rights of people seeking asylum and tick the box if you’d like to get more involved in the campaign.


 

Photo: Barat Ali Batoor

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Protect the right to work and study

People seeking asylum are ready to rebuild their lives and contribute to the community, but Government policy is keeping thousands locked out of the right to work and study. 

Sign the petition to demand the Albanese Government guarantee work and study rights for people seeking asylum.

I call on the Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Tony Burke, to guarantee the right to work and study to people seeking asylum and refugees in our community. 

Currently, thousands of skilled people are not allowed to work and study while awaiting the outcome of their protection visa application.

I urge the Minister to make the necessary changes to Schedule 2 of the Migration Regulations 1994 and policy directions to allow work and study rights to be granted to all protection visa applicants. 

All people seeking asylum should be able to live with dignity, meet their needs and contribute to our communities, and not have this right revoked due to arbitrary visa conditions. 

It’s time to guarantee the right to work and study to people seeking asylum and refugees.

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