What started as an innovative pilot, will now be a permanent feature of Australia’s humanitarian migration program.

Launched in mid 2022, the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) gives groups of locals the opportunity to welcome refugees into their community, supporting them from day one of their Australian journey.

How does it work?

1. A group of five or more adult volunteers join forces to provide 12 months of practical, hands-on support to a refugee household from their date of arrival in Australia. Groups can be based anywhere in Australia, provided they can demonstrate capacity to provide appropriate support to a refugee household within their community.

2. Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA) approve, train and support CSGs and connect them with a refugee household referred into the CRISP.

3. Refugee participants identified as in urgent need of resettlement by the UNHCR are referred into the CRISP program by the Australian government. They come from a wide variety of countries, with most waiting a significant amount of time to resettle in a new, safe country.

Who can apply? Anybody! If you’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you have the know-how about navigating life in Australia to help new arrivals. You don’t need any special skills – just the capacity and desire to help them navigate the first year in their new home. We estimate the entire group will need to provide around 10-15 hours support per week between them, with more help needed in the first few weeks and assistance tapering off across the year.

For further details visit refugeesponsorship.org.au