Overview

Over the last few years there have been a steadily increasing number of new arrivals from Africa settling in Victoria. They come through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) Humanitarian Program [2]. There are 2 main categories of visas for these entrants: the Refugee Visa and the Special Humanitarian Program (SHP) visa. Both categories are recognised by United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). The main difference between the categories is that SHP entrants can obtain visas more rapidly if they can secure sponsorship from a family member who has settled in Australia. This process requires the sponsor to secure the funds needed for travel; all other settlement requirements are provided by DIAC.

The issue of family reunification has become the most urgent need for new arrivals. It is extremely hard for them to move forward knowing they have left loved ones behind in the appalling, unsafe conditions of the refugee camps. At the same time, if they have been sponsored, they arrive in Australia in debt, because they are responsible to their sponsor for paying back the loan. On top of this they are pressured by those they have left behind to send money back to Africa, and then find the funds to secure a SHP visa on their behalf. This situation very quickly becomes a personal and financial burden on new arrivals, and impacts heavily on the settlement process. In many cases it takes up to 18 months to 2 years before the financial demands and responsibilities of living in Australia hit home. It is only then that they begin to understand they cannot continue to meet the needs of their family left behind in Africa - a painful realisation.

Last year (2005/2006) DIAC’s figures showed that almost 50% of the Humanitarian Entrants who arrived in Victoria, including both those on refugee visas and SPH visas, were from Sudan. The figures are taken from DIMA’s 2006 report.

Top 10 countries of birth, humanitarian entrants (all categories), VIC 2001-2006
Country of birth	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	TOTAL
Sudan	344	955	1548	2011	1256	6115
Iran	512	741	449	424	460	2586
Afghanistan	561	297	365	169	393	1785
Fmr Yugoslavia	488	345	127	58	9	1027
Ethiopia	130	201	243	182	120	876
Egypt	40	97	133	160	120	550
Iran	111	114	141	112	54	532
Burma	39	16	22	128	287	492
Kenya	11	49	66	151	66	343
Somalia	106	75	84	34	17	316

Top 10 languages spoken by humanitarian entrants, VIC 2001-2006
Main language	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	TOTAL
Arabic	795	1445	1469	1546	1198	6453
Dari	284	118	255	155	327	1139
African languages (Nfd)	55	44	187	460	278	1024
Dinka	7	68	213	363	213	864
Serbian	228	255	122	53	6	664
Bosnian	451	127	29	4	3	614
Assyrian	41	168	130	86	122	547
Amharic	61	91	133	157	79	521
Burmese/Myanmar	39	8	14	111	312	484
Persian	159	151	78	35	60	483

Figures: DIMA Victoria 2006

In 2006-2007 it is expected that over 50%, or 7550, of those entering Australia as Humanitarian Entrants will be from the African region. With the largest percentage of new arrivals coming from Africa, it is expected that the country of origin of the majority of those entrants will be The Sudan, followed by Ethiopia, then West Africa. In 2007-2008 the target number of Humanitarian Entrants has been increased to 13,000 of which 7,000 will be Special Humanitarian and Protection Visas.

Of the humanitarian arrivals settling in Victoria, the largest numbers have settled in the local government areas of Greater Dandenong (Dandenong/Moorabin), Brimbank (St Albans), Hume and Maribyrnong (Footscray) (see table below). Lutheran congregations have been providing assistance in some of these areas.

Top 10 Local Government Areas for humanitarian arrivals, VIC 2001-2006
LGA	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	TOTAL
Greater Dandenong	933	839	909	1033	887	4601
Brimbank	301	321	518	754	386	2280
Hume	256	465	316	333	309	1679
Maribyrnong	112	179	220	281	155	947
Casey	172	193	172	193	154	884
Darebin	113	136	179	182	100	710
Whittlesea	100	119	90	127	90	526
Moonee Valley	93	116	89	101	71	470
Moreland	112	136	80	68	66	462
Yarra	59	37