Helping refugees rebuild their lives
When children arrive in Australia as refugees or asylum seekers, they carry big hopes, and often big worries. They’ve left behind homes, friends and familiar routines, and must learn to navigate a whole new world. Every one of these children has the same rights as any other child in Australia, to safety, education, health care and a chance to belong.
Who are refugee children and asylum seekers?
A refugee is someone who has been forced to leave their country because of conflict, violence or persecution, and has been recognised under international law.
An asylum seeker is someone who has left their country and is asking another country to recognise them as a refugee.
Many children fall into one of these two groups, either arriving with family or, in some cases, separated from them.
For children who reach Australia as refugees or asylum seekers, their legal status might be different, but their rights are not. Under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), they have the same rights as every other child here: to go to school, see a doctor, be safe from harm and have a say in decisions that affect them.
The challenges refugee children face in Australia
In 2025, Australia reached an amazing milestone: issuing the one millionth permanent humanitarian visa since World War II. Before they ever reach Australia, many child refugees have lived through frightening experiences such as conflict, dangerous journeys, or long periods in refugee camps with limited access to school or health care. Some have been separated from parents or other family members. These experiences can affect their physical health, mental wellbeing and sense of security.
Arriving in a new country brings fresh challenges. Refugee children and their families may be trying to:
- Learn a new language and navigate unfamiliar systems
- Understand how schools, health services and other supports work
- Cope with ongoing uncertainty about visas or housing
- Rebuild social networks and a sense of belonging
Without the right support, child refugees can miss out on the things that help all children thrive: stable housing, regular schooling, safe spaces to play, and trusted adults they can turn to. That’s why asylum seeker support and services for refugee children in Australia are so important.
Refugee children’s rights under Article 22
Article 22 of the UNCRC focuses specifically on child refugees and asylum-seeking children. It says that governments must make sure these children receive appropriate protection and humanitarian assistance and can enjoy all the rights in the Convention, including health, education, protection and family unity.
In practice, this means countries like Australia should:
- Identify and support refugee and asylum-seeking children as early as possible
- Make sure they can go to school and see a doctor
- Help them stay with their families or be safely reunited where possible
- Work with organisations like Save the Children to provide specialised support
How Save the Children supports refugee children in Australia
Save the Children works to ensure refugee children Australia–wide can access the support they need to feel safe, included and ready to learn. Our programs are grounded in children’s rights and designed in partnership with families and communities.
One key example is our It Takes a Village program, which supports families in their first years of settlement in Australia. Through this program:
- Young children join supported playgroups where they can play, learn and prepare for school
- Parents and caregivers take part in practical sessions on navigating services, parenting in a new context and understanding Australian systems
- Families who need extra help can access one-on-one support with things like housing, health, education or settlement challenges
- Communities are brought together so families can build friendships and local networks with others who share similar experiences
Every part of the program is built around children’s rights, like the right to learn, to be safe, and to grow up feeling connected to family, culture and community. It’s a practical way of making Article 22 real for children who have already been through so much.
Everyday ways you can support refugee children and families
Supporting child refugees in Australia isn’t only the job of governments and organisations. The choices we make in our communities can help refugee and asylum-seeking children feel welcome, respected and included.
Here are some ways you can help:
- Donate to organisations that specialise in refugee and asylum seeker support, such as Save the Children, so programs like It Takes a Village can reach more families.
- Advocate for fair, humane policies by engaging with organisations like the Refugee Council of Australia or other advocacy groups.
- Volunteer your time with local organisations that support refugees and people seeking asylum, including groups that offer mentoring, English conversation or community activities.
- Support employment pathways by backing organisations that help people from refugee backgrounds find work and build financial independence.
- Create community where you are, invite a new family to a local event, connect through school or sporting activities, or simply offer a warm welcome.
- Listen to and amplify refugee voices, for example by attending talks or sharing resources created by people with lived experience.
Learn 10 ways to help refugees.
Standing together with refugee children
For children who have had to leave everything behind, safety in Australia is just the beginning. With the right support, refugee and asylum-seeking children can recover, make friends, succeed at school and look to the future with confidence.
By understanding their rights, recognising the challenges they face, and backing programs that put children at the centre, we can help make Australia a place where every child, no matter how they arrived, has the chance to thrive.