The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) is undertaking a review of Australia's response to refugees using the newly developed Refugee Response Index (RRI) methodology. The RRI is a tool designed to assess and monitor countries’ response to refugees and asylum seekers. As a global assessment and monitoring tool, the RRI constitutes a baseline of country performance information inspired by the adoption and implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees. Australia is one of a number of countries currently conducting a review using the RRI tool. 

If you would like to know more about how RCOA is gathering evidence and coordinating the RRI Australia review, contact Dr Louise Olliff, Senior Policy Advisor (louise.olliff@refugeecouncil.org.au).

For questions about this survey or if you would prefer to provide input by participating in an interview or focussed group discussion, contact Paula Cruz Manrique, Policy and Research Assistant (paula.cruzmanrique@volunteer.refugeecouncil.org.au). 

Evidence gathered from this survey will feed into the RRI Australia assessment and final report. At the end of this survey, you will be given the option to be named as an expert in the final report.
 
Pillar 1. Access to borders and asylum.

The RRI analytical framework is comprised of 6 pillars. The 10 questions in this survey are to gather expert opinion and evidence relating to some of the indicators in Pillar 1 "Access to asylum". All questions are asking you to assess Australia's response in 2021 by scoring (from 5 to 1) policies and practices regarding access to borders and asylum. 
 

Question Title

* 1. Have people seeking asylum been returned to any country including so-called ‘safe third countries’? (e.g. ‘countries of return’ may be part of bilateral or multilateral agreements between States)

Question Title

* 2. Do border management processes include protection-sensitive entry systems? 

Protection-sensitive entry systems ensure that legitimate measures to control entry are not applied arbitrarily and that they allow asylum seekers and other groups with specific protection needs to be identified and granted access to a territory where their needs can be properly assessed and addressed by a responsible authority possibly including UNHCR. (See UNHCR 10 Point Plan, Section 3)

Question Title

* 3. Can asylum seekers apply for refugee status or asylum from outside the country where they are seeking protection, such as through an embassy or obtaining short-term visas from diplomatic missions?

Question Title

* 4. Do asylum seekers have access to assistance at the border at levels commensurate with UNHCR Guidelines?

(see UNCHR Guidelines, Chapter 4 of the UNCHR 10-Points Plan, Reception standards). Minimum requirements include: physical shelter, registration and documentation, food, emergency medical assistance, and pre-screening for vulnerabilities. Complete assistance includes minimum requirements plus clothing, access to additional medical assistance, and assistance that meets national standards.

Question Title

* 5. When crossing borders are asylum seekers provided with information about the asylum process and their legal status?*

*This question refers only to the processes of pre-screening and decision making when accelerated procedures take place at the border.

Question Title

* 6. When crossing borders are asylum seekers provided with access to legal assistance?*

*This question refers only to the processes of pre-screening and decision making when accelerated procedures take place at the border.

Question Title

* 7. There are screening mechanisms to identify and offer special protection based on the specific needs of cross-cutting groups at the border.

*For example, special procedures, specially trained staff, measures to prevent sexual violence against women and girls; mechanisms to identify and offer protection to unaccompanied minors, persons with disabilities, other vulnerable groups

  5. This occurs and is effective at all points of entry. 4. This occurs and is effective at most points of entry. 3. This occurs, but it is inconsistently applied or somewhat ineffective. 2. This occurs rarely or is hardly effective. 1. No, this does not occur for this group. I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.
GENDER
AGE
DISABILITY
SEXUAL MINORITIES
ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES
TRAFFICKING VICTIMS

Question Title

* 8. These specific vulnerabilities, once identified, are addressed at the border by the responsible authorities.

  5. This occurs and is effective at all points of entry. 4. This occurs and is effective at most points of entry. 3. This occurs, but it is inconsistently applied or somewhat ineffective. 2. This occurs rarely or is hardly effective. 1. No, this does not occur for this group. I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.
GENDER
AGE
DISABILITY
SEXUAL MINORITIES
ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES
TRAFFICKING VICTIMS

Question Title

* 9. Specific protection guarantees are considered when applying measures which restrict an individual’s ability to seek asylum.

See UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Guidelines on International Protection No. 1: Gender-Related Persecution Within the Context of Article 1A(2) of the 1951 Convention and/or its 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, 7 May 2002, HCR/GIP/02/01

  5. This occurs and is effective at all points of entry. 4. This occurs and is effective at most points of entry. 3. This occurs, but it is inconsistently applied or somewhat ineffective. 2. This occurs rarely or is hardly effective. 1. No, this does not occur for this group. I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.
GENDER
AGE
DISABILITY
SEXUAL MINORITIES
ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES
TRAFFICKING VICTIMS

Question Title

* 10. There are specific provisions in order to exclude detention and/or address special needs during detention.

*For example, separate detention areas or facilities for women and men, avoiding detention of minors and/or specific provisions for unaccompanied minors.

  5. This occurs and is effective at all points of entry. 4. This occurs and is effective at most points of entry. 3. This occurs, but it is inconsistently applied or somewhat ineffective. 2. This occurs rarely or is hardly effective. 1. No, this does not occur for this group. I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.
GENDER
AGE
DISABILITY
SEXUAL MINORITIES
ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES
TRAFFICKING VICTIMS

Question Title

* 11. To be named in the RRI Australia review as an expert who has provided input, please include your name and how you would like to be affilitated (e.g. Name, Title, email, Organisation or Institution)

Thank you for participating!

T