Language Education for People Seeking Asylum Aspiring to Higher Education in Australia: Practitioner Perspectives from the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC)

Education is key to successful settlement; it can be transformative to those impacted by forced migration to Australia, as it facilitates opportunities to rebuild lives, develop a sense of purpose and identity, and feel hopeful about the future. Many people seeking asylum aspire to higher education, or to continue working in their specialist field; however, adult learners seeking asylum in Australia face significant barriers to accessing and participating in higher education opportunities, which are intensified by their temporary visa status and their English language proficiency. People seeking asylum have complex educational needs that require targeted and individualised forms of support, while recognising the unique skills, experience, knowledge and attributes that they bring. Unfortunately, these needs are rarely met by either the state or higher education institutions. This paper draws on our practitioner experience of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) Education Program to examine the multifaceted challenges in accessing higher education experienced by people seeking asylum.