Our mission: to achieve justice and dignity for and with refugees through dedicated legal services and advocacy.

Our Work

RACS is a strong, independent public voice for the rights of refugees and people seeking asylum. We provide free legal advice to people of all nationalities, religions, and sexual and gender identities. 

We understand that people seeking asylum in Australia are amongst the most vulnerable in Australia's legal system. RACS exists to ensure they are afforded the same opportunity for fair and equal access to justice.  

“RACS helps people who are going through the asylum process to make their claims as convincingly as truth and justice permit.”
— The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG, RACS Patron

Our Legal Services

At RACS, we provide free legal advice, assistance and representation for financially disadvantaged and vulnerable people seeking asylum in Australia, including:

  • Women who have experienced or fear domestic, family or gender-based violence

  • Members of the LGBTQIA+ community

  • Stateless people

  • Children who are seeking protection without their parents

  • People wishing to reunite with family

RACS is a non-profit community legal centre. This is why we rely on donations, grants and pro bono support to continue our vital work.

An animated image of a female solicitor holding legal papers. There is flashing text around the image "learn more about our legal services here".

Our Advocacy

RACS advocates for systemic law and policy reform so that refugees are treated with justice, dignity and respect. 

We listen to the experiences of our clients and the challenges they face, so we are better informed to fight on their behalf – from the halls of Parliament to the streets of communities across New South Wales.

The work we do to enact policy and law reform includes:

  • Representing the needs of the refugee community in meetings with Government, regulators, politicians and/or other organisations

  • Preparing submissions and responses to Government, and organisational inquiries and reviews

A circle image of a female solicitor, mid sentence, at a parliamentary meeting. There are words flashing around the image "learn more about our advocacy here".

Our History

RACS is one of Australia’s oldest community legal centres specialising in providing legal support to refugees, people seeking asylum, the stateless and displaced.

A blue and white graphic of a world map. The countries coloured in are countries of clients who RACS represents.

RACS has given advice to people from 118 countries

In 1987, RACS quietly opened its doors with few staff but very big ambitions to provide access to crucial legal support for people seeking asylum in Australia. 

For more than 35 years, thousands of courageous people from all corners of the world have walked through our doors. They have been welcomed and supported by hundreds of committed staff, passionate legal students and thousands of volunteers.  

Many of the refugees we have supported now live safe and secure lives in Australia, as valued members of our communities.