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About Us
The Refugee and Immigration Legal Service (RAILS)
is the only legal agency in Queensland specialising in refugee and
migration law. RAILS is an independent not-for-profit organization
working with volunteers to provide free legal advice, assistance
and community education to disadvantaged people. It advocates in
cases of most need before the Department of Immigration, review
tribunals and, on occasions, to judicial review. The Service has
a demand that far exceeds its resources and takes on only those
highest priority cases with most merit.
RAILS began in 1980 as a volunteer advice service at the then Brisbane
Migrant Resource Centre. It did not receive government funding until
1984 (a grant of $8000), when its first staff member was employed
part-time. The Service operates under a community management committee
and is staffed by a director, caserworkers, legal staff and financial and administration
workers with support from a large team of dedicated volunteers.
The Service has assisted waves of refugees and their families since
1980 from countries suffering from the major political humanitarian
crises and works closely with other support organizations to provide
a network of support for the most vulnerable clients. RAILS has
provided advice and assistance to a wide range of people, including
onshore and offshore refugees and asylum seekers, migrants, sponsors
of migrants, migrant women suffering from domestic violence, Australian
citizens seeking to sponsor relatives in need, spouses and employees.
RAILS is funded mainly through Commonwealth and State Legal Aid
funding and since 1996 funds have also been received from the Department
of Immigration and Citizenship through
the Immigration Advisory Services Scheme (IAAAS) for disadvantaged
people. Many volunteers contribute
to making RAILS one of Queenslands most effective and worthwhile
community organisations.
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