Jesuit Refugee Service Australia - JRS

Jesuit Refugee Service Australia - JRS Based in Parramatta, we accompany, serve and advocate for refugees, people seeking asylum, and others facing forced displacement around the world.

We kicked off the first session of our Leadership and Advocacy Training last Saturday! Participants learnt from Najeeba ...
22/09/2026

We kicked off the first session of our Leadership and Advocacy Training last Saturday!

Participants learnt from Najeeba from Asia Pacific Network of Refugees - APNOR about refugee leadership, lived experience as expertise and not representation, and moving from raising awereness to building influence in advocacy. 🚀

We will be holding our leadership training every Saturday for the next 5 weeks!

➡️Would you like to join us? Learn more here: https://aus.jrs.net/en/news/free-leadership-and-advocacy-training-2026/

Thank you to the wonderful Sisters of Mercy for welcoming us at the St Michael’s Fund grant recipients’ morning tea last...
09/09/2026

Thank you to the wonderful Sisters of Mercy for welcoming us at the St Michael’s Fund grant recipients’ morning tea last week. 🙏

We are deeply grateful for your ongoing support for our Finding Safety Project, helping women on temporary visas seek protection and rebuild their lives free from violence. 💙

Australia has a proud legacy of offering safety to people forced to flee persecution and conflict. Last week, the Govern...
04/09/2026

Australia has a proud legacy of offering safety to people forced to flee persecution and conflict.

Last week, the Government was reportedly considering reducing Australia’s humanitarian program from 20,000 to 13,750 places a year. We welcome the Prime Minister’s reassurance that the intake will remain at 20,000 places.

But the recent discussion about reducing the program is a reminder that these commitments must be protected. As millions of people around the world are forced from their homes, Australia should be proud of its role in providing a pathway to safety.

Proposed changes to Australia’s migration system that could remove work rights from people seeking asylum and restrict their access to appeals are concerning.

These changes would undermine the principles of dignity, self-reliance and fairness that should be non-negotiable elements of our asylum system.

Our humanitarian program, and our protection system, reflect a commitment to people in need, and to the kind of country we want Australia to be.

Read our statement and take action here to give people seeking asylum a fair go: https://aus.jrs.net/en/news/statement-australias-humanitarian-legacy-is-worth-protecting/

🌏️ Are you looking for a way to celebrate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees? We invite you to host a Cook to Connec...
03/09/2026

🌏️ Are you looking for a way to celebrate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees?

We invite you to host a Cook to Connect meal! 🥗

On Sunday 27 September, gather your friends, family, colleagues or neighbours, share a meal, start some real conversations and raise funds to support refugees and people seeking asylum in your local community.

Cook to Connect is an opportunity to celebrate the cultures, traditions and stories that people bring with them when they make Australia their new home, and to stand alongside people seeking safety as we build a more welcoming community together. 🩵

When you register as a Host, you’ll receive a Host Pack with everything you need to get started, including a free Cook to Connect Recipe Book, featuring recipes shared by women from JRS Australia’s Finding Safety Project.

Funds raised through Cook to Connect help JRS Australia provide practical support including casework and emergency relief, employment assistance and specialist support for women experiencing violence.

Bring your community together this World Day of Migrants and Refugees (or any day of the year!)

👉 Register to host a Cook to Connect meal🌏️ Are you looking for a way to celebrate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees?

We invite you to host a Cook to Connect meal! 🥗

On Sunday 27 September, gather your friends, family, colleagues or neighbours, share a meal, start some real conversations and raise funds to support refugees and people seeking asylum in your local community.

Cook to Connect is an opportunity to celebrate the cultures, traditions and stories that people bring with them when they make Australia their new home, and to stand alongside people seeking safety as we build a more welcoming community together. 🩵

When you register as a Host, you’ll receive a Host Pack with everything you need to get started, including a free Cook to Connect Recipe Book, featuring recipes shared by women from JRS Australia’s Finding Safety Project.

Funds raised through Cook to Connect help JRS Australia provide practical support including casework and emergency relief, employment assistance and specialist support for women experiencing violence.

Bring your community together this World Day of Migrants and Refugees (or any day of the year!)

👉 Register to host a Cook to Connect meal here: https://aus.jrs.net/en/take-action/cook-to-connect/

Last week, we joined students, educators, families and clergy from across the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese for th...
03/09/2026

Last week, we joined students, educators, families and clergy from across the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese for the Education Mass and Social Justice Expo at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta.

It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with school communities and other organisations working to put faith into action across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

We shared more about our work accompanying and supporting people seeking asylum and refugees and heard from schools about their own commitment to social justice. We’re grateful to be part of a community that is so passionate about putting their faith into action! 🩵

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
Diocese of Parramatta

🌍 REFUGEE LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP & ADVOCACY TRAININGWhat does it take to turn lived experience into leadership and advoca...
02/09/2026

🌍 REFUGEE LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP & ADVOCACY TRAINING

What does it take to turn lived experience into leadership and advocacy for change?

Beginning Saturday 19 September, this free 6-week training program is designed for people with lived experience of forced displacement who want to build their confidence, strengthen their leadership skills, and create meaningful change in their communities and beyond.

We’re proud to introduce three inspiring trainers who will be hosting sessions over the 6 weeks:

📢 Najeeba Wazefadost - internationally recognised refugee leader, strategist and social entrepreneur, and Founder & Executive Director of the Asia Pacific Network of Refugees (APNOR).

📢 Abang Anade Othow - educator, speaker, writer and founder of Buckets of Hope, sharing insights on wellbeing, resilience, storytelling and leadership.

📢 Zaki Haidari - award-winning refugee rights advocate, strategic campaigner and human rights voice, with more than a decade of experience advancing refugee protection and policy reform.

If you or someone you know is ready to take the next step in their leadership journey, we’d love to meet you!

Learn more here: https://aus.jrs.net/en/news/free-leadership-and-advocacy-training-2026

25 years ago, the Tampa Affair changed Australia.In August 2001, the MV Tampa rescued 433 people seeking asylum from a d...
28/08/2026

25 years ago, the Tampa Affair changed Australia.

In August 2001, the MV Tampa rescued 433 people seeking asylum from a distressed fishing boat in the Indian Ocean. Most were fleeing persecution in Afghanistan.

What followed was a political standoff that would fundamentally reshape Australia’s refugee and asylum policy, including offshore processing and the policy that people arriving by boat would not be settled in Australia.

The ABC’s new documentary, “Tampa: The Turning Point” looks back at this pivotal moment in Australia’s history.

Twenty-five years on, we remember the Tampa Affair not only as a turning point in Australian policy, but as a reminder of the human consequences of the choices we make.

People seeking asylum continue to experience prolonged uncertainty, detention and separation from their communities. Australia continues to detain people offshore, while billions of dollars have been spent maintaining a system that has caused immense harm.

And as we continue to see proposals to restrict the rights of people seeking safety, and debate about Australia’s humanitarian commitments, it is more important than ever to stand up for a fairer and more humane refugee system.

“No matter how high the mountain, there is a path over it.” Ahmad* is a father, husband, doctor and public health advoca...
27/08/2026

“No matter how high the mountain, there is a path over it.”

Ahmad* is a father, husband, doctor and public health advocate.

When he came to Australia with his family, they had to leave so much behind. Since then, Ahmad has been on a journey to rebuild his life and career, putting his public‑health expertise to work supporting local communities.

From supporting child vaccination, to helping refugee families find their way through the healthcare system, the right to work has not only changed Ahmad's life, but helped him change the lives of others.

This National Skills Week, the theme is "Life Changing".

Read Ahmad's story to learn more about the importance of recognising the skills, expertise and gifts that migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum bring to Australia. Join the call to Activate Australia’s Skills today.

https://aus.jrs.net/en/story/ahmads-story-national-skills-week-2026/

With the recent speculations about changes in migration policy, it is more crucial than ever that we have leaders with l...
21/08/2026

With the recent speculations about changes in migration policy, it is more crucial than ever that we have leaders with lived experience advocating directly to those in power.✊

Join us this September for our free 6 week training program on advocacy and leadership for people with lived experience of forced displacement.

Come together with other leaders to learn about advocacy, community organising, Australia’s political system, meeting with MPs, and how to look after yourself as an advocate.

We’ll also be joined by three incredible guest trainers with lived experience:

📣 Najeeba Wazefadost – refugee leader and Founder of the Asia Pacific Network of Refugees - APNOR
📣Abang Anade Othow – Founder of Buckets of Hope and Deputy Chair at Asylum Seekers Centre
📣 Zaki Haidari – refugee rights advocate and Strategic Campaigner at Amnesty International Australia

You don’t need previous leadership or advocacy experience. Just bring your ideas and your interest in making a difference.

📅 Saturdays, 19 September – 24 October
🕚 11am–2pm
📍 JRS Australia, Parramatta
🍽️ Free to attend, with lunch included

Spaces are limited.

👉 RSVP by texting 0491 772 632, emailing [email protected] or completing our Expression of Interest form.

Find out more here: https://aus.jrs.net/en/news/free-leadership-and-advocacy-training-2026/

What an incredible effort from our City2Surf team! 🏃‍♂️ On Sunday, seven amazing runners took on the City2Surf to raise ...
14/08/2026

What an incredible effort from our City2Surf team! 🏃‍♂️

On Sunday, seven amazing runners took on the City2Surf to raise vital funds in support of the work of JRS Australia. Together, they raised nearly $5,000, an extraordinary achievement that will help us continue supporting people seeking safety and building more welcoming communities.

A huge thank you to everyone who ran, fundraised, donated, cheered from the sidelines and supported the team along the way. 🩵

Address

10 Victoria Road
Sydney, NSW
2042

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+61293563888

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