Hosting an Asylum Seeker in Australia: A Nationwide Exploratory Study

Abstract

Objective

In recent years, there has been a rise in the number of people seeking asylum in Australia, resulting in over‐crowded detention centres in various parts of the country. Appropriate management and assistance of asylum seekers has been an issue of major sociopolitical concern. In mid‐2012, the Australian ruling government introduced a “first of its kind” community placement initiative, which involved relocating low‐risk asylum seekers from detention centres to homes of those Australian families who volunteered for this programme. The present study investigated host families' motivations for volunteering into this scheme and their resulting experiences.

Method

A total of 24 men and women from all over Australia were interviewed in person or over the telephone.

Results

Consistent with theoretical frameworks of altruism, acculturation, and intergroup contact, thematic analysis indicated that participants' interest in diversity/humanitarian issues were major factors that motivated them to host asylum seekers. Language and cultural barriers were reported as challenges, but generally, participants found the experience positive and rewarding.

Conclusion

The initiative was regarded as an excellent avenue of learning about new cultures. The hosts played a strong role in promoting the English language proficiency and intercultural settlement of the asylum seekers. The scheme was considered as one way of diffusing fear/biases against asylum seekers prevalent among the Australian community at large. Participants also provided suggestions to improve the scheme.

Key words:

• acculturation
• altruism
• asylum seeker
• Australia
• community placement
• intergroup contact

Acknowledgements

We thank the Australian Homestay Network for making this study possible and acknowledge the research assistance provided by Ms. Lorena Hernandez (in data collection and transcription). Funding for this study was provided by the Centre for Communication and Social Change at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.

Additional information

Funding

Centre for Communication and Social Change at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia