Humanitarian Mission Services
From August 2012 until February 2014, The Salvation Army, Humanitarian Mission Services provided humanitarian support services for asylum seekers in the Manus Island and Nauru Offshore Processing Centres.
The care of asylum seekers in these locations is now in the hands of security and facilities management companies.
The Salvation Army mission was 100% funded by the Australian Government. No funds donated to The Salvation Army for providing services to disadvantaged Australians were used to undertake this work.
The Salvation Army was responsible for supporting the welfare and emotional well-being of people waiting to be processed. The Salvation Army provided educational and recreational activities, as well as counselling and pastoral care.
The Salvation Army remains opposed to offshore processing.
Current work with asylum seekers
Despite not having its contract renewed to continue its mission in Manus Island and Nauru, The Salvation Army will continue working with asylum seekers in Australia.
This includes many programs and services that work with asylum seekers in the community and in detention centres.
At Auburn Corps in Sydney’s West, there are a multitude of support services, programs and activities to assist asylum seekers, refugees and new migrants.
In Melbourne, The Asylum Seeker Support Services in Brunswick provides food, clothing, furniture, vouchers and other necessities to asylum seekers living on Bridging Visas. In addition to this, our Community Detention program across Australia supports asylum seekers released into the community through case work and living assistance.
Our legal team, Salvos Legal, also provides free immigration and legal advice to asylum seekers and others in Australia
Many Corps and outreach centres are extending their services to support asylum seekers, refugees and new migrants. We remain committed to serving these people through legal support, food, clothing and furniture, language programs and case work.
Salvation Army officers have been visiting and supporting asylum seekers in mainland detention centres for many years. The Salvation Army has also conducted holiday programs for families and children in mainland detention centres and is a contracted provider of Community Detention, supporting vulnerable asylum seekers placed in the community with housing and casework services.
In addition, we assist asylum seekers through the provision of care and assistance packages in a number of centres around Australia.