Media Release, Monday 17 August 2026
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
https://asrc.org.au/2026/08/17/sound-the-alarm/
Over 160 community, charity, multicultural and migrant organisations have written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warning that reported plans to remove work rights from people seeking asylum would force thousands of people into destitution and place enormous new pressure on already overstretched charities and community organisations.
Media reports have alleged that the Albanese Government is considering removing work rights from people seeking asylum after the initial stage of their application, even while they are lawfully exercising their rights to independent review. This could see tens of thousands of people who are currently working, paying rent, buying food and supporting their families suddenly lose their only source of income and be left with no way to meet their most basic needs.
People seeking asylum are generally unable to access Centrelink, while only a very small proportion (around 3%) can access limited government-funded income support. For many people, the right to work is therefore the difference between being able to support themselves and being unable to pay for food, rent and other essentials.