What Is RACS (Refugee Advice & Casework Service)?

RACS (Refugee Advice & Casework Service) is an Australian nonprofit that provides free legal support to refugees and people seeking asylum, and advocates for fairer, more humane asylum policies. It has been fighting for refugee rights for almost 40 years and serves people of all nationalities, religions and gender identities. If you are looking for legal help with a protection claim in Australia — or want to know where donations and volunteer time go — this explains what RACS does and how it fits into the asylum process.

What RACS does

RACS describes itself as providing "the one form of help that can give refugees and people seeking asylum lasting safety: legal support." Its work has two strands:

• Direct legal services — trauma-informed legal help for people applying for protection in Australia, which RACS calls a complex and often cruel process.
• Policy advocacy — campaigning for fairer and more humane asylum policies.

"Trauma-informed" matters here: clients are people who have often fled violence or persecution, so advice is delivered with an awareness of that experience. RACS states it helps people regardless of nationality, religion or gender identity.

Who it serves

RACS works with refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia, including people applying for protection visas and refugees trying to reunite with separated family members. The organisation publishes client accounts (names changed) describing help with protection applications and permanent protection visas.

Scale of the work

RACS reports the following for the last 12 months on its website:

These figures are RACS's own reporting and give a sense of demand: the number of requests far exceeds the people seen face-to-face, which is typical of legal services that triage by phone and online.

How to engage with RACS

The site organises engagement into four areas: Legal services, Contact us, Support us, and Volunteering and Pro Bono.

• If you need legal help: start with the Legal services section to see what assistance is offered and how to request it. Because demand is high (see the 14,061 requests above), expect that not every enquiry results in ongoing casework — ask what the next step is when you make contact.
• If you want to give: the Support us section covers donations. The site does not publish pricing or payment details, so check that page for current options rather than assuming any particular method.
• If you are a lawyer or want to volunteer: the Volunteering and Pro Bono section is the entry point for professional and volunteer involvement.

What RACS is not

RACS is a legal and advocacy organisation, not a settlement, housing or employment service. Its stated focus is legal support and policy change. For needs outside that scope, its contact page is the place to ask whether it can refer you elsewhere.

Why it matters

Australia's protection application process is long and difficult, and RACS frames its role as ensuring people are not left to navigate it alone. Its combination of direct representation, family reunion work and policy advocacy is what distinguishes it from organisations that only campaign or only provide general advice.