• 12 Bonython Street, Windsor Q 4030
• Telephone: (07) 33579013
• Facsimile: (07) 33579019
• Email: refugees@ecn.net.au
• Website: www.refugees.org.au
• Bus from Adelaide Street, take 370, 375 or 379 along Lutwyche Road to bus-stop 15 - Northbound train from Central to Windsor
• Open: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays

The Brisbane Refugee Claimants Support Centre supports asylum seekers.

Asylum Seekers are people who:

• Following legal entry to this country, seek Australia's protection because they have genuine fears for their safety in their countries of origin
• Are claiming refugee status or protection, under international treaty entitlements
• Mostly come from war-torn countries or are victims of political or ethnic persecution
• Come from a range of professions including journalists, doctors, nurses, psychologists, farmers, photographers, teachers and agricultural scientists
• Most asylum seekers want to go home when it is safe to do so 

During the year 2003 we supported over 100 refugee claimants in and around Brisbane, which includes children and spouses. Asylum Seekers, come from many countries including Ethiopia, Colombia, China, Russia, Sri Lanka, Congo, Nigeria, Uganda and Iran. After their applications for protection, asylum seekers have to wait for long periods (sometime years) for a decision.

In the meantime, over half of our clients have NO RIGHT TO WORK, NO INCOME SUPPORT, and NO ACCESS TO MEDICARE.

They and their families become totally dependent on sympathetic community members and charities for housing, food, clothing, household goods, help with medical and pharmaceutical bills, dental health care, education for themselves and their children, transport, and basic emotional support.

Many asylum seekers are dealing with psychological trauma from the violence against them and their families in their home countries and the continued trauma of seeking asylum. Their sense of dignity plummets with this forced dependence on hand-outs. Not only does this impinge further on their mental health and well-being, but it brings on illness.

Most of our client asylum seekers participate in many of the activities of the centre including English classes, employment support, weekend camps, International Dinners, and general meetings. They support each other with generosity, kindness and humour. The Centre's Choir composed of clients and volunteers, has sung at many events in Brisbane and interstate, and moved the hearts of many.

Despite the traumas, despite the indignities, the spirits of asylum seekers light the hearts of those they meet.