Refugee Advice Casework Service (RACS)

Refugee Advice Casework Service (RACS) was originally set up in NSW in 1987 to provide a legal service to meet the specific needs of asylum seekers.

RACS is the only specialist legal community organization providing full assistance to protection visa applicants. RACS service is not for profit and offers free services to their clients, giving them the opportunity to access justice and pursue their rights. RACS aim is to continue to provide these opportunities to a disadvantaged group of people in the best and most comprehensive way.

RACS currently makes available free of charge the following services:

1. Legal advice, case management and representation for those applying for a Protection Visa.
2. Training sessions on refugee law, policy and procedure for those assisting asylum seekers.
3. Community briefing sessions for refugee communities, and those assisting asylum seekers in the community.
4. Evening advice services staffed by full-time and volunteer solicitors and migration agents.
   RACS has piloted a project called the “Refugee Family Reunion Project” to extend its specialized services to Australian-based proposers seeking to reunite with family members abroad. Most potential sponsors do not have the means of accessing legal advices to help them complete complex visa applications.

The aims of RACS’ project are as follows:

• To provide advice to humanitarian entrants and permanent protection visa holders about the offshore Refugee and Special Humanitarian Program;
• To explain the application process, include time frame and success rates;
• Using interpreters to assist propers suffering financial hardship to prepare applications;
• To liaise with diplomatic posts in relation to interviews with applicants or when additional information is required;
• To explain why an application is rejected and provide competent advices as to the merits of resubmitting;
• To produce English and translated fact sheets to provide legal information.

The funding received from the Mary Potter Trust Foundation helps assist with the costs associated with providing these specialised services to these disadvantaged Australian-based proposers.

<< back to Previous Grants listing