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TRLS addresses an access-to-justice gap that manifests from the unique circumstances of refugees, asylum seekers & other humanitarian entrants into the Tasmanian community.

Tasmanian Refugee Legal Service

What We Do

Tasmania’s only dedicated refugee, asylum seeker &
humanitarian entrant legal service

What We Do

Tasmanian Legal Refugee Service (TRLS) is the only dedicated refugee, asylum seeker and humanitarian entrant not-for-profit legal service in Tasmania.

We provide free legal assistance and representation to help people secure protection from persecution, a pathway to permanent residency, safety from family violence and to reunite with family.

Our work includes advice and support, representation and assistance with visa applications and legislated processes, representation in tribunals and court, Ministerial interventions and more. We believe that everyone has a right to a safe place to live and safe way to get there.

mostafa-meraji-a-BIILV6GM4-unsplash

Legal help for refugees and asylum seekers fleeing war, conflict and/or persecution.

Our Impact

In the last year we have:
  • Represented over 1,500 people – a 35% increase from the previous year.
  • Obtained permanent residency for over 150 people enabling them to build their lives in Australia with certainty.
  • Reached hundreds of impacted individuals and support organisations across Tasmania through state-wide community legal education sessions.

Service areas

Family Reunification

A common thread of the asylum seeker/refugee experience is the breakdown of the family unit. Families often become separated and scattered due to conflict and/or persecution; forced to flee via different routes. When a family member reaches safety, finding and reuniting with their loved ones is often their main priority. Extended separation from family is an additional trauma that many refugees carry and reunification with family anchors refugees in new places and contributes to successful settlement, improved mental health and social cohesion.

We receive daily calls, drop ins as well as referrals from other support organisations, requesting assistance with family reunification applications, where children, spouses, brothers and sisters remain separated. We are the largest provider of family reunification legal services in Australia.

Two sisters embracing

Family reunification brings separated families together again

Onshore Protection

This work assists people in Australia on temporary visas to seek asylum or progress their applications to achieve permanent residency, thus enabling them to stay in Australia in perpetuity. These cases are varied and complex, but life changing to our clients and includes:
  • A dedicated LGBTQIA+ refugee legal service representing temporary visa holders in Tasmania who have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country because of their sexual orientation.
  • Progressing asylum claims - where legal merit exists - for temporary work or student visa holders whose home country situation or personal situation has deteriorated in such a way that they would face life-threatening violence or persecution if they were to return at the expiry of their visa.
  • Assisting humanitarian arrivals secure permanent residency to secure their future in Australia. This stream supports many Ukrainians as they seek permanent protection in Australia, as well as community members from Bangladesh, Iran, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan and elsewhere.
Man standing back to camera looking out to desert
Onshore protection for people in Australia claiming asylum.

Family Violence Migration Service (FVMS)

FVMS provides migration advice and casework assistance to victim-survivors of family violence. These clients often remain stuck in abusive relationships as leaving them would breach their visa conditions and therefore risk their ability to remain in Australia. Our lawyers make representations on behalf of these clients to secure a permanent visa under special family violence provisions that can be applied, allowing them to live independently and thrive in our community.
Young lady sitting down, hands together
Helping migrant family violence victim-survivors.

Stories of Hope

  • Family Violence Migration

Lina*

Lina experienced family violence but as a temporary visa holder, leaving that abusive relationship risked her ability to remain in Australia.
  • Family Reunification

Abdul* & Family

Separated from his family for 10 years, Abdul never gave up hope

Each story is different and each circumstance is unique. But each of these stories share a common theme of hope, perseverance and assistance resulting in great outcomes. 

View ALL STORIES