Australia’s refugee intake by country of origin has shifted significantly over the past decade, reflecting global displacement trends and policy priorities.
In 2019/20, the largest groups among FASSTT clients (a key service provider for refugees) were from the Middle East, particularly Iraq (24%), Afghanistan (11%), Iran (9%), and Syria (11%), making up 63% of clients from that region.
Asian and Pacific origins accounted for 21% of clients in 2019/20, with major sources including Sri Lanka (24%), Burma (Myanmar) (30%), and Bhutan (11%).
Africa contributed 16% of clients, primarily from Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea.
More recently, UNHCR data shows that in 2023, the largest number of refugees resettled in Australia came from:
Afghanistan
Iraq
Iran
Syria
Sri Lanka
These countries have consistently been top sources due to ongoing conflict, persecution, and instability. Australia’s humanitarian program prioritizes individuals with the greatest need, including LGBTQI+ individuals, women and children at risk, and those with family links in Australia.
As of December 2023, the total Australian refugee population was 29,000, down from 36,000 in 2022, according to CEIC data.
History of and policies about people seeking asylum in Australia
Factsheet
Country Australia
Country Australia
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Asylum_in_Australia
Asylum in Australia - Wikipedia
January 20, 2026 - In 2012, the Refugee Council of ... list of countries that accept refugees. The Council found that in terms of resettlement (as opposed to "receiving") asylum seekers, Australia ranks 2nd in the world overall, 3rd per capita and 3rd as a proportion of GDP. The Council provides a wide range of statistics on its website. Australia's total refugee and humanitarian intake remained ...
Australian Red Cross
redcross.org.au › act › help-refugees › refugee-facts
Refugee and asylum seeker facts | Australian Red Cross
The United States of America received the largest number of resettled refugees (75,100), with majority originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, Afghanistan, and Myanmar).
Refugee Council
refugeecouncil.org.au › statistics
Statistics - Refugee Council of Australia
January 3, 2024 - Get the latest statistics on refugees, asylum seekers, settlement, resettlement and historical statistics for Australia and abroad.
CEIC
ceicdata.com › home › countries/regions › australia › population and urbanization statistics › australia au: refugee population: by country or territory of origin
Australia Refugee Population: by Country or Territory of Origin | Economic Indicators | CEIC
Australia Refugee Population: by Country or Territory of Origin data was reported at 29.000 Person in Dec 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 36.000 Person for Dec 2022. Australia Refugee Population: by Country or Territory of Origin data is updated yearly, averaging 25.000 Person (Median) from Dec 2002 to 2023, with 22 observations.
Australian Human Rights Commission
humanrights.gov.au › home › education › stats and facts about human rights
Statistics about refugees and people seeking asylum | Australian Human Rights Commission
They are granted refugee status and special protections. Everyone has the right to seek asylum and be protected from serious harm, no matter how they arrive in another country. These rights are protected by international law. ... Since the end of World War II, Australia has welcomed nearly 1 million refugees and others in humanitarian need.[1]
World Data
worlddata.info › homepage › oceania › australia › refugees
Refugees from Australia
November 1, 2015 - 43 people from Australia fled in 2024 and applied for asylum in other countries, according to UNHCR data. As host countries, there were only Canada and the United Kingdom. Overall, 100 percent of the asylum applications have been rejected. › Refugee countries by origin and destination Back ...
UNHCR
unhcr.org › where-we-work › countries › australia
Australia | UNHCR
As of 2024, Australia hosts tens of thousands of refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless individuals, and remains a critical partner in advancing international protection and solutions in the Asia-Pacific region. ... Find out more about the funds raised by the government and private sector in Australia to support UNHCR.
FASSTT
fasstt.org.au › home › facts & figures
Facts & Figures - FASSTT
February 28, 2022 - The intake was later reduced to 13,750 in 2019/20. However the impact of the global COVID pandemic and the closure of Australia’s international border for nearly two years has meant that very few people from refugee backgrounds have arrived in Australia since March 2020. Figure 1: Significant changes in countries of birth of FASSTT clients · The national origins of people entering Australia under the Humanitarian Program have changed significantly over the decade 2009/2010 to 2019 /2020 and this is mirrored in changes in the profile of FASSTT clients.
ReliefWeb
reliefweb.int › report › australia › analysis-unhcr-s-2018-global-refugee-statistics-how-generous-australia-s-refugee
An analysis of UNHCR’s 2018 Global Refugee Statistics: How generous is Australia’s Refugee Program compared to other countries? - Australia | ReliefWeb
The five countries hosting the largest number of refugees as at 31 December 2018, according to UNHCR, were Turkey (3.68 million), Pakistan (1.40 million), Uganda (1.17 million), Sudan (1.08 million) and Germany (1.07 million).
MacroTrends
macrotrends.net › global-metrics › countries › aus › australia › refugee-statistics
Australia Refugee Statistics | Historical Chart & Data
Immigration Statistics Net Migration Refugee Statistics · Australia refugee statistics for 2022 was 54,430, a 2.11% decline from 2021.
Amnesty International
amnesty.org.au › home › what’s new › debunking 10 myths about refugees in australia
Debunking 10 Myths About Refugees in Australia - Amnesty International Australia
June 27, 2024 - In simple words, this means a lot more can be done. In terms of per capita intake, Australia falls significantly behind countries like Lebanon, Jordan, and Montenegro, ranking 72nd with 2.08 refugees per 1000 population.
Immigration and Citizenship
immi.homeaffairs.gov.au › what-we-do › refugee-and-humanitarian-program › about-the-program › about-the-program
About the refugee and humanitarian program
The offshore component of the ... from three major regions: ... Africa, such as Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan....
Department of Home Affairs
homeaffairs.gov.au › research-and-statistics › statistics › visa-statistics › live › humanitarian-program
Department of Home Affairs Website
Australia's Humanitarian program including asylum trends and ministerial interventions. This page contains reports produced by us relating to the humanitarian program.
World Bank
data.worldbank.org › indicator › SM.POP.ASYS.EO
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin - Australia | Data
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of origin - Australia from The World Bank: Data
Law Council of Australia
lawcouncil.au › publicassets › a80937cc-cc3c-ef11-94a4-005056be13b5 › 4552 - S - Australias Humanitarian Program.pdf pdf
Australia's Humanitarian Program 2024–25
and host countries, enhancing refugee self-reliance, and expanding access to third country solutions through ... Other pledges made by Australia at the GRF will support access to legal services, use of alternatives to · immigration detention, and foster mental health and psychosocial well-being of refugees. ... The Humanitarian Program (the Program) has a long history of providing resettlement for refugees and · others who are displaced as a result of conflict, persecution and human rights abuses. The Program’s · intake is drawn from a range of nationalities, ethnic and religious groups, reflecting global displacement
Refugee Council
refugeecouncil.org.au › refugees-protected-in-australia-2023
Refugees Protected in Australia at 7-Year High, UNHCR Data Shows
June 24, 2024 - The granting of more than 12,000 ... 2023 to 29,892, the highest level since the height of Australia’s special intake of Syrian and Iraqi refugees in 2016....
Australian Human Rights Commission
humanrights.gov.au › home › resource hub › browse our resources
Asylum seekers and refugees | Australian Human Rights Commission
Australia also has obligations not to return people who face a real risk of violation of certain human rights under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) , the Convention Against Torture (CAT) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) , and not to send people to third countries where they would face a real risk of violation of their human rights under these instruments . These obligations also apply to people who have not been found to be refugees. In addition, while asylum seekers and refugees are in Australian territory (or otherwise engage Australia's jurisdiction), the Australian Government has obligations under various international treaties to ensure that their human rights are respected and protected.
SSI
ssi.org.au › home › refugee faqs
Refugee FAQs - SSI
May 2, 2025 - Some will be found to have valid claims for protection that entitle them to international protection and assistance. Others will be found not to be refugees, nor to be in need of any other form of international protection, and as such they are expected to return to their country of origin (RCOA).
ASC
asylumseekerscentre.org.au › news & stories › advocacy › get the facts: how many refugees make australia their home each year?
Get the facts: How many refugees make Australia their home each year? - ASC
March 6, 2024 - Refugees come to Australia seeking safety from persecution and danger in their home countries. Image: Shutterstock · Since Covid-19, there have been many global conflicts and events that have seen the number of globally displaced people rise dramatically. In 2020, there were a record 82.4 million people forcibly displaced across the world. But despite the increased need, Australia has been resettling fewer refugees. In 2019-2020, the government failed to meet its target intake of 18,750 refugees by a long shot.
Oxfam Australia
oxfam.org.au › what-we-do › humanitarian-emergencies › refugees
Refugees | Oxfam Australia
October 13, 2021 - We are working with the public to demonstrate that simple changes that could be made to remove unreasonable red tape so people who have found sanctuary in Australia can be reunited with their family members. All people have the right to be protected from human rights violations, but during times of armed conflict people’s safety and security is often threatened. 80% of the world’s refugees are women and children, and violence against women, including rape, has become commonplace in conflicts worldwide.