Australia Refugee Response Index (RRI) 2021 - Asylum services

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.

Asylum services

The RRI analytical framework is comprised of 6 pillars. The 13 questions in this survey are to gather expert opinion and evidence regarding services delivered to asylum seekers. All questions are asking you to assess Australia's response in 2021 by scoring (from 5 to 1) policies and practices regarding provision of basic needs and a range of services (food, shelter, water facilities, health and etc.).

Since this is a global index and is intended to be applied to a very broad range of country contexts, you may find that some questions are not perfectly tailored to the Australian context. In that sense, you can set a score that reflects the situation in Australia as best you can. If you do not think a question can be answered at all, you can select the option ‘not applicable in the Australian context'. In the text box of each question you can explain why you provide a specific score, or why this indicator cannot be applied in Australia, also please provide any evidence that supports your assessment of the indicator.

Questions and contact details

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 Jenn Watson, Policy and Research Assistant (jenn.watson@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.

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* 1. Do asylum seekers have access to food that meets requirements for nutrition and food diversity, through either direct distribution or financial assistance?

For example, refer to Sphere Standards Key Indicators and UNHCR Guidelines on Food and Nutrition Needs in Emergencies.

5 - Asylum seekers have access to excellent quality food which meets minimum requirements and is delivered with dignity.

4 - Asylum seekers have access to good quality food which meets minimum requirements and is delivered with dignity.

3 - Asylum seekers have access to adequate quality food which meets most minimum requirements.

2 - Asylum seekers have access to poor food, which meets some minimum requirements for nutrition and food diversity.

1 - There is no access to food, or the food assistance is so limited that it meets less than half of the minimum requirements.

0 - Not applicable in the Australian context.

I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.

Please provide any links to evidence that supports your assessment of this indicator (e.g. links to reports, academic journals, government publications or any other relevant document). If you wish you can also explain the score given in this question.

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* 2. Do asylum seekers have access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities that meets minimum requirements through either direct distribution or financial assistance?

For example, refer to UNHCR WASH Manual and the Sphere Standards for WASH. Minimum requirements are outlined in the Sphere Chapter 5 and UNHCR WASH Indicators and Targets and should be assessed based on the context (emergency, post-emergency, urban, rural, camp setting)

5 - Asylum seekers have access to excellent quality WASH facilities which meets minimum requirements and is delivered with dignity.

4 - Asylum seekers have access to good quality WASH facilities which meets minimum requirements and is delivered with dignity.

3 - Asylum seekers have access to adequate quality WASH facilities which meets most minimum requirements.

2 - Asylum seekers have access to poor WASH facilities, which meets some minimum requirements.

1 - There is no access to WASH facilities, or the assistance is so limited that it meets less than half of the minimum requirements.

0 - Not applicable in the Australian context.

I don't know and/or I'm not an expert on this specific topic.

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* 3. Do asylum seekers have access to accommodation that is safe, secure, weather-appropriate and meets international minimum standards or higher national standards, either through direct distribution or financial assistance?

See 1951 Convention, Article 21. Besides, shelter should include provision of suitable accommodation to preserve the family unit and to “provide a secure and healthy living environment with privacy and dignity to persons of concern.” (UNHCR Shelter Solutions, Section 2). If the country provides social housing to disadvantaged nationals, this standard of housing should be used as a measurement, otherwise international minimal standards should be used. For camp-based shelter, refer to Sphere Standards.

5 - Asylum seekers have excellent quality accommodation. 100% Coverage.

4 - Asylum seekers have good quality accommodation. ≥75% Coverage.

3 - Asylum seekers have adequate quality accommodation. ≥50% Coverage.

2 - Asylum seekers have poor quality accommodation that is safe, secure, and weather-appropriate but does not meet all international minimum standards. ≥25% Coverage.

1 - Asylum seekers do not have access to accommodation, or the accommodation provided meets less than half of the international minimum standards. ≤25% Coverage.

0 - Not applicable in the Australian context.

I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.

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* 4. Do asylum seekers have access to primary health care according to international standards or higher national standards?

Primary health care incorporates the tasks of medical diagnosis and treatment, psychological assessment and management, personal support, communication of information about illness, prevention, and health maintenance. (UNHCR, Section 3.1)

5 - Asylum seekers are entitled to the same level of free health care as residents, including specialized care.

4 - Asylum seekers are entitled to the same level of free primary health care as that given to non-refugee foreigners.

3 - Asylum seekers are entitled to primary health care.

2 - There is no free health care in the country, for residents or asylum seekers.

1 - There is free health care in the country for residents and non-refugee aliens but not for asylum seekers.

0 - Not applicable in the Australian context.

I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.

Please provide any links to evidence that supports your assessment of this indicator (e.g. links to reports, academic journals, government publications or any other relevant document).
If you wish you can also explain the score given in this question.

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* 5. Are barriers to accessing health care for asylum seekers addressed, including through targeted health promotion and access to free healthcare services, interpreter services and information provided in required languages?

5 - Barriers to accessing free healthcare are identified and addressed effectively.

4 - Most barriers to accessing free healthcare are identified and addressed.

3 - There are partial efforts to address barriers to accessing free health care.

2 - Minimal or inconsistent efforts are made to address barriers to accessing free health care.

1 - No effort to address barriers, or no free health care provided.

0 - Not applicable in the Australian context.

I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.

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* 6. Do asylum seekers have access to non-food items (NFIs) that meet international requirements, either through direct distribution or provision of financial assistance?

For example: clothing, bedding, hygiene items, cooking and eating utensils, and etc. Refer to Core Humanitarian Standard/Sphere guidance “Shelter and settlement standard 4: Household items”

5 - All minimum requirements for NFIs are met or exceeded and delivered with dignity.

4 - Most minimum requirements for NFIs are met and delivered with dignity.

3 - Minimum requirements for NFIs are partially met and delivered with dignity.

2 - Minimum requirements for NFIs are occasionally/ inconsistently met.

1 - Inadequate or no distribution of NFIs.

0 - Not applicable in the Australian context.

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* 7. Are there laws and/or policy and/or practice in place to protect asylum seekers from workplace discrimination?

5 - Yes

1 - No

0 - Not applicable in the Australian context.

I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.

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* 8. Are asylum seekers protected from discrimination in the workplace?

5 - Yes, asylum seekers have full access to protection from discrimination in the workplace.

4 - Asylum seekers are mostly protected from discrimination in the workplace, with occasional gaps in protections.

3 - Partial protection from discrimination in the workplace, less than that of nationals.

2 - There is minimal protection from discrimination for asylum seekers, due to practical barriers or inadequate policies.

1 - No law or policy or practice exists, or access to protection from discrimination in the workplace for asylum seekers is practically impossible.

0 - Not applicable in the Australian context.

I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.

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* 9. Are there voluntary return assistance programmes for rejected asylum seekers in place, including in cooperation with countries of origin and transit?

5 - Always.

4 - Frequently.

3 - Often.

2 - Sometimes.

1 - No.

0 - Not applicable in the Australian context.

I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.

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* 10. Are the different assistance needs of cross-cutting groups met while awaiting status determination?

For example, female interviewers for female asylum-seekers; support for unaccompanied minors; provision of psychological assistance for victims of torture, GBV and other vulnerable persons.

	5. Yes, there are specific measures/ guarantees.	4. There are specific measures/ guarantees in place that are applied most of the time.	3. Specific measures/ guarantees exist but are not consistently applied.	2. There are some specific measures/ guarantees but they are only applied occasionally.	1. No specific measures or guarantees exist.	0. Not applicable in the Australian context.	I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.
GENDER	GENDER 5. Yes, there are specific measures/ guarantees.	GENDER 4. There are specific measures/ guarantees in place that are applied most of the time.	GENDER 3. Specific measures/ guarantees exist but are not consistently applied.	GENDER 2. There are some specific measures/ guarantees but they are only applied occasionally.	GENDER 1. No specific measures or guarantees exist.	GENDER 0. Not applicable in the Australian context.	GENDER I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.
AGE	AGE 5. Yes, there are specific measures/ guarantees.	AGE 4. There are specific measures/ guarantees in place that are applied most of the time.	AGE 3. Specific measures/ guarantees exist but are not consistently applied.	AGE 2. There are some specific measures/ guarantees but they are only applied occasionally.	AGE 1. No specific measures or guarantees exist.	AGE 0. Not applicable in the Australian context.	AGE I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.
DISABILITY	DISABILITY 5. Yes, there are specific measures/ guarantees.	DISABILITY 4. There are specific measures/ guarantees in place that are applied most of the time.	DISABILITY 3. Specific measures/ guarantees exist but are not consistently applied.	DISABILITY 2. There are some specific measures/ guarantees but they are only applied occasionally.	DISABILITY 1. No specific measures or guarantees exist.	DISABILITY 0. Not applicable in the Australian context.	DISABILITY I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.
SEXUAL MINORITIES	SEXUAL MINORITIES 5. Yes, there are specific measures/ guarantees.	SEXUAL MINORITIES 4. There are specific measures/ guarantees in place that are applied most of the time.	SEXUAL MINORITIES 3. Specific measures/ guarantees exist but are not consistently applied.	SEXUAL MINORITIES 2. There are some specific measures/ guarantees but they are only applied occasionally.	SEXUAL MINORITIES 1. No specific measures or guarantees exist.	SEXUAL MINORITIES 0. Not applicable in the Australian context.	SEXUAL MINORITIES I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.
ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES	ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES 5. Yes, there are specific measures/ guarantees.	ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES 4. There are specific measures/ guarantees in place that are applied most of the time.	ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES 3. Specific measures/ guarantees exist but are not consistently applied.	ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES 2. There are some specific measures/ guarantees but they are only applied occasionally.	ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES 1. No specific measures or guarantees exist.	ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES 0. Not applicable in the Australian context.	ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.
TRAFFICKING VICTIMS	TRAFFICKING VICTIMS 5. Yes, there are specific measures/ guarantees.	TRAFFICKING VICTIMS 4. There are specific measures/ guarantees in place that are applied most of the time.	TRAFFICKING VICTIMS 3. Specific measures/ guarantees exist but are not consistently applied.	TRAFFICKING VICTIMS 2. There are some specific measures/ guarantees but they are only applied occasionally.	TRAFFICKING VICTIMS 1. No specific measures or guarantees exist.	TRAFFICKING VICTIMS 0. Not applicable in the Australian context.	TRAFFICKING VICTIMS I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.

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* 11. Are there specific measures in place to facilitate access to work for asylum seekers that are members of cross-cutting groups?

For example, addressing women’s access barriers, workplace discrimination and/or offering additional skills training; preventing child labour, promoting youth employment; offering additional skills training and incentives to employers when hiring persons with disabilities or other limitations

	5. Yes, there are specific measures/guarantees in place and they are effectively applied at all time	4. There are specific measures/ guarantees in place that are applied most of the time.	3. Specific measures/ guarantees exist but are not consistently applied.	2. There are some specific measures/ guarantees but they are only applied occasionally.	1. No specific measures or guarantees exist.	0. Not applicable in the Australian context.	I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.
GENDER	GENDER 5. Yes, there are specific measures/guarantees in place and they are effectively applied at all time	GENDER 4. There are specific measures/ guarantees in place that are applied most of the time.	GENDER 3. Specific measures/ guarantees exist but are not consistently applied.	GENDER 2. There are some specific measures/ guarantees but they are only applied occasionally.	GENDER 1. No specific measures or guarantees exist.	GENDER 0. Not applicable in the Australian context.	GENDER I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.
AGE	AGE 5. Yes, there are specific measures/guarantees in place and they are effectively applied at all time	AGE 4. There are specific measures/ guarantees in place that are applied most of the time.	AGE 3. Specific measures/ guarantees exist but are not consistently applied.	AGE 2. There are some specific measures/ guarantees but they are only applied occasionally.	AGE 1. No specific measures or guarantees exist.	AGE 0. Not applicable in the Australian context.	AGE I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.
DISABILITY	DISABILITY 5. Yes, there are specific measures/guarantees in place and they are effectively applied at all time	DISABILITY 4. There are specific measures/ guarantees in place that are applied most of the time.	DISABILITY 3. Specific measures/ guarantees exist but are not consistently applied.	DISABILITY 2. There are some specific measures/ guarantees but they are only applied occasionally.	DISABILITY 1. No specific measures or guarantees exist.	DISABILITY 0. Not applicable in the Australian context.	DISABILITY I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.
SEXUAL MINORITIES	SEXUAL MINORITIES 5. Yes, there are specific measures/guarantees in place and they are effectively applied at all time	SEXUAL MINORITIES 4. There are specific measures/ guarantees in place that are applied most of the time.	SEXUAL MINORITIES 3. Specific measures/ guarantees exist but are not consistently applied.	SEXUAL MINORITIES 2. There are some specific measures/ guarantees but they are only applied occasionally.	SEXUAL MINORITIES 1. No specific measures or guarantees exist.	SEXUAL MINORITIES 0. Not applicable in the Australian context.	SEXUAL MINORITIES I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.
ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES	ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES 5. Yes, there are specific measures/guarantees in place and they are effectively applied at all time	ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES 4. There are specific measures/ guarantees in place that are applied most of the time.	ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES 3. Specific measures/ guarantees exist but are not consistently applied.	ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES 2. There are some specific measures/ guarantees but they are only applied occasionally.	ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES 1. No specific measures or guarantees exist.	ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES 0. Not applicable in the Australian context.	ETHNIC/RELIGIOUS MINORITIES I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.
TRAFFICKING VICTIMS	TRAFFICKING VICTIMS 5. Yes, there are specific measures/guarantees in place and they are effectively applied at all time	TRAFFICKING VICTIMS 4. There are specific measures/ guarantees in place that are applied most of the time.	TRAFFICKING VICTIMS 3. Specific measures/ guarantees exist but are not consistently applied.	TRAFFICKING VICTIMS 2. There are some specific measures/ guarantees but they are only applied occasionally.	TRAFFICKING VICTIMS 1. No specific measures or guarantees exist.	TRAFFICKING VICTIMS 0. Not applicable in the Australian context.	TRAFFICKING VICTIMS I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.

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* 12. Does the State create conditions for a multi-stakeholder approach* regarding the following aspects:

*A multi-stakeholder approach focuses on the responsibility of the State to create enabling conditions for UNHCR and other UN and non-governmental (NGO) actors and stakeholders to play their respective roles in order to exercise their responsibilities.

	5 The State creates conditions and incentivizes a multi-stakeholder approach.	4 The State removes obstacles to a multi-stakeholder approach as required and to the extent possible	3 The State tolerates a multi-stakeholder approach.	2 The State imposes certain limits to a multi-stakeholder approach, be it to certain actors or actv	1 The State rejects, or makes practically impossible, a multi-stakeholder approach	0. Not applicable in the Australian context.	I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.
Assistance to asylum seekers during status determination processes, e.g. by involving local authorities in the granting of services, facilitating NGO complementary support and programmes?	Assistance to asylum seekers during status determination processes, e.g. by involving local authorities in the granting of services, facilitating NGO complementary support and programmes? 5 The State creates conditions and incentivizes a multi-stakeholder approach.	Assistance to asylum seekers during status determination processes, e.g. by involving local authorities in the granting of services, facilitating NGO complementary support and programmes? 4 The State removes obstacles to a multi-stakeholder approach as required and to the extent possible	Assistance to asylum seekers during status determination processes, e.g. by involving local authorities in the granting of services, facilitating NGO complementary support and programmes? 3 The State tolerates a multi-stakeholder approach.	Assistance to asylum seekers during status determination processes, e.g. by involving local authorities in the granting of services, facilitating NGO complementary support and programmes? 2 The State imposes certain limits to a multi-stakeholder approach, be it to certain actors or actv	Assistance to asylum seekers during status determination processes, e.g. by involving local authorities in the granting of services, facilitating NGO complementary support and programmes? 1 The State rejects, or makes practically impossible, a multi-stakeholder approach	Assistance to asylum seekers during status determination processes, e.g. by involving local authorities in the granting of services, facilitating NGO complementary support and programmes? 0. Not applicable in the Australian context.	Assistance to asylum seekers during status determination processes, e.g. by involving local authorities in the granting of services, facilitating NGO complementary support and programmes? I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.
To promote employment for asylum seekers; e.g. facilitating complementary training by NGOs and international agencies, involving the private sector in job placement assistance programmes?	To promote employment for asylum seekers; e.g. facilitating complementary training by NGOs and international agencies, involving the private sector in job placement assistance programmes? 5 The State creates conditions and incentivizes a multi-stakeholder approach.	To promote employment for asylum seekers; e.g. facilitating complementary training by NGOs and international agencies, involving the private sector in job placement assistance programmes? 4 The State removes obstacles to a multi-stakeholder approach as required and to the extent possible	To promote employment for asylum seekers; e.g. facilitating complementary training by NGOs and international agencies, involving the private sector in job placement assistance programmes? 3 The State tolerates a multi-stakeholder approach.	To promote employment for asylum seekers; e.g. facilitating complementary training by NGOs and international agencies, involving the private sector in job placement assistance programmes? 2 The State imposes certain limits to a multi-stakeholder approach, be it to certain actors or actv	To promote employment for asylum seekers; e.g. facilitating complementary training by NGOs and international agencies, involving the private sector in job placement assistance programmes? 1 The State rejects, or makes practically impossible, a multi-stakeholder approach	To promote employment for asylum seekers; e.g. facilitating complementary training by NGOs and international agencies, involving the private sector in job placement assistance programmes? 0. Not applicable in the Australian context.	To promote employment for asylum seekers; e.g. facilitating complementary training by NGOs and international agencies, involving the private sector in job placement assistance programmes? I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.
To monitor and support asylum seekers; e.g. monitoring deportations and support programmes to those deported by NGOs and international agencies?	To monitor and support asylum seekers; e.g. monitoring deportations and support programmes to those deported by NGOs and international agencies? 5 The State creates conditions and incentivizes a multi-stakeholder approach.	To monitor and support asylum seekers; e.g. monitoring deportations and support programmes to those deported by NGOs and international agencies? 4 The State removes obstacles to a multi-stakeholder approach as required and to the extent possible	To monitor and support asylum seekers; e.g. monitoring deportations and support programmes to those deported by NGOs and international agencies? 3 The State tolerates a multi-stakeholder approach.	To monitor and support asylum seekers; e.g. monitoring deportations and support programmes to those deported by NGOs and international agencies? 2 The State imposes certain limits to a multi-stakeholder approach, be it to certain actors or actv	To monitor and support asylum seekers; e.g. monitoring deportations and support programmes to those deported by NGOs and international agencies? 1 The State rejects, or makes practically impossible, a multi-stakeholder approach	To monitor and support asylum seekers; e.g. monitoring deportations and support programmes to those deported by NGOs and international agencies? 0. Not applicable in the Australian context.	To monitor and support asylum seekers; e.g. monitoring deportations and support programmes to those deported by NGOs and international agencies? I don't know and/or I am not an expert on this specific topic.

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* 13. 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 affiliated (e.g. name, title, email, organisation/institution). By providing your contact details, we will let you know when the RRI Australia review is complete.

Thank you for participating!

If you would like to respond to any of the surveys relating to different areas of the RRI, click on the links below:

RRI - Access to borders survey

RRI - Legal services survey

Australia Refugee Response Index (RRI) 2021 - Asylum services

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* 1. Do asylum seekers have access to food that meets requirements for nutrition and food diversity, through either direct distribution or financial assistance?For example, refer to Sphere Standards Key Indicators and UNHCR Guidelines on Food and Nutrition Needs in Emergencies.

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* 5. Are barriers to accessing health care for asylum seekers addressed, including through targeted health promotion and access to free healthcare services, interpreter services and information provided in required languages?

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* 7. Are there laws and/or policy and/or practice in place to protect asylum seekers from workplace discrimination?

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* 8. Are asylum seekers protected from discrimination in the workplace?

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* 9. Are there voluntary return assistance programmes for rejected asylum seekers in place, including in cooperation with countries of origin and transit?

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* 10. Are the different assistance needs of cross-cutting groups met while awaiting status determination?For example, female interviewers for female asylum-seekers; support for unaccompanied minors; provision of psychological assistance for victims of torture, GBV and other vulnerable persons.

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* 13. 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 affiliated (e.g. name, title, email, organisation/institution). By providing your contact details, we will let you know when the RRI Australia review is complete.

* 1. Do asylum seekers have access to food that meets requirements for nutrition and food diversity, through either direct distribution or financial assistance?

For example, refer to Sphere Standards Key Indicators and UNHCR Guidelines on Food and Nutrition Needs in Emergencies.

* 10. Are the different assistance needs of cross-cutting groups met while awaiting status determination?

For example, female interviewers for female asylum-seekers; support for unaccompanied minors; provision of psychological assistance for victims of torture, GBV and other vulnerable persons.