Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Most legal queries dealt with by Legal Aid WA from refugees and asylum seekers involve dealing with people's immigration status. Click here for more information on Legal Aid's Immigration Service or go back to the main Information about the Law index for other topics.

For further information, see Family Violence and Immigration.

Legal Aid WA's services can be provided through the use of trained and confidential interpreters. Simply, telephone Legal Aid WA Information Line on 1300 650 579 and ask for an appointment to be made for with an interpreter.

In addition to the information provided on this web site (and other services offered by Legal Aid WA) further legal and other information for refugees and asylum seekers may also be found at the following web sites:

Interpreting Services

• On-Call Translating and Interpreting - Ph: 9225 7700
• Translating and Interpreting Service - Ph: 13 14 50

Multicultural Women's Advisory Service - helps women and children from non-English speaking backgrounds. They can put you in touch with women's refuges, welfare and legal services. Ph: 9227 8122

Case for Refugees - a community legal centre providing services to refugees living in Western Australia, for example family reunion and asylum assistance (refugees only). Legal advice NOT provided over the phone, phone on 9227 7311.

Refugee Council of Australia - Non-government community organisation advocating for refugees

Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre Inc - legal assistance to migrants and refugees, ph: 9345 5755

Multicultural Services Centre of WA Inc - providing assistance to migrants and refugees in the metropolitan area, ph: 9328 2699

Fremantle Multicultural Centre - assistance to migrants and refugees, ph: 9336 8282

ASeTTS - (West Australian Association for Services to Torture and Trauma Survivors) is a non-profit, non-government organisation providing treatment and support to people who have been tortured or traumatized by violent conflicts, ph: 9227 2700

Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre - helping people with disabilities access services and offering assistance to resolve problems with government bodies.
Ph: 9388 7455 or Freecall: 1800 659 921

CARAD (Coalition for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees) - offering support and services to people with Temporary Protection Visas or Bridging Visas, ph: 9227 7322

Government Websites

Office of Multicultural Interests has an online Directory of Services for New Arrivals in Western Australia

Department of Immigration and Citizenship - Commonwealth government department that decides on a refugees immigration status. Provides information on migrating to Australia and immigration status, the web site also has Refugees & Humanitarian information.

Centrelink Language Services - Government department offering information about social security in different languages

Refugee Review Tribunal (this agency has merged with the Migrant Review Tribunal) - Government organisation which can review decisions made by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship

These services are not Legal Aid WA services. Legal Aid WA expressly disclaims any liability and responsibility for the advice and information provided by any of these services. There may be other organisations able to provide you with similar advice and information.

Legal content last updated: April 2008