Stronger supports needed for refugees with disability, new research finds

Social isolation and a lack of digital inclusion are barriers to a smoother settlement for refugees with disability, according to new SSI research.

The latest phase of SSI’s signature research Foundations for Belonging (FFB) 2025: insights on refugees with disability in Australia, released this week, recommends the Australian government provide much greater support to build social connections during their settlement period, and improve access to important digital services.

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said FFB 2025 also found that stronger policy settings around integrated support were needed across the settlement and disability sectors to ensure greater coordination when helping refugees with disability settle into their new country.

“Foundations for Belonging 2025 has identified that disability support in Australia is not truly inclusive,” Ms Roumeliotis said.

“To be accessible and effective, Australia’s disability services need to factor in the needs of refugees with disability. These people are currently being left behind due to a misalignment between refugee settlement policy and program delivery, and Australian disability policies and strategies.”

Ms Roumeliotis said FFB 2025 reported that while refugees with disability felt positive about their settlement experiences in Australia, they also faced significant challenges accessing suitable and affordable housing and finding employment due to a lack of specialised support.

The research also recommended governments review their digital services to ensure they were accessible for refugees with disability.

“The findings of FFB 2025 confirms just how important it is to take an intersectional approach when providing disability services in our country so that not one person is left behind,” Ms Roumeliotis said.

The Foundations for Belonging 2025 report is available on the SSI website.