The Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) is delivering strong settlement outcomes as it marks its first year of operation, with all refugee participants reporting they feel welcomed in their local communities.
CRISP is trialling an alternative approach to the settlement of refugees, by providing opportunities for community members to welcome refugees into Australia by directly supporting their settlement and integration.
Through CRISP, refugees receive settlement support directly from trained volunteers, for their first 12 months living in Australia.
More than 250 refugees from 64 households have settled across Australia as part of the Pilot, including refugees from Afghanistan, Syria, Congo, El Salvador and Guatemala.
A recent report into CRISP families - by the University of Queensland - found that all the refugees surveyed reported that refugees involved in the program were settling in, with 88% finding it easy to get help from their community, and 98% feeling that their culture is valued by others.
The experience of community members also found widespread support for the program, with 92% of community members saying that supporting a refugee household has provided them with a sense of purpose.
Participants reported on their experiences between four and eight weeks after arrival and their views form part of the University of Queensland’s evaluation of the effectiveness of CRISP in achieving settlement outcomes for refugee participants.
Further information about CRISP can be found on the Immigration and citizenship website or at Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA).
Quotes attributable to Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Andrew Giles
“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to ensuring refugees have all the support they need to rebuild their lives in Australia and fully participate in their new communities.
“CRISP is harnessing the power of local communities, with groups sharing their knowledge with refugees to help them set up a new life in Australia. Whether it’s helping families enrol their children in school, finding a local doctor or searching for a job - communities are helping our newest residents settle into their new life and thrive.”
“The Government is committed to ensuring that Australia steps up and plays its part in addressing the global humanitarian crisis, including by increasing community sponsored and other complementary places gradually to 10,000 over time and making this additional to our humanitarian intake”
Quotes attributable to Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia CEO, Lisa Button
“Since the launch of the pilot, hundreds of refugee newcomers have been resettled into local communities around Australia through the CRISP, and the everyday Australians who are stepping up to welcome and support them are doing an amazing job. Not only are they successfully helping people navigate the basics on arrival, like setting up bank accounts, registering for Medicare and helping families enrol their kids in school, sometimes for the first time - they’re also opening up their lives and homes and networks.
“They’re introducing newcomers to friends and family, helping people log the practice hours needed to get drivers licenses, helping people find local work and establish businesses, welcoming them into the local football club or Nippers or choir. The positive ripple effect of these sorts of connections is huge and ongoing, benefiting refugee newcomers, those who volunteer to welcome them and local communities alike. We encourage anyone who is interested in getting involved to contact us and find out more.”
