Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA) is delighted to announce that it has been contracted by the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs to deliver the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Program (CRISP) across Australia as a permanent program, from 1 July 2026.
This announcement follows the recent public release of the independent evaluation of a 4 year pilot, commissioned by the Department of Home Affairs and undertaken by the University of Queensland in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Family Studies.
“The UQ-led evaluation confirms what so many of us working in the community sponsorship movement have witnessed first-hand: that when everyday Australians are empowered to welcome and support refugee newcomers to settle in Australia, everyone benefits.” says Lisa Button, CEO of CRSA, which also co-designed and delivered the pilot.
The CRISP pilot was first announced in December 2021 and has been supported by successive governments. In February 2025 the Hon Julian Hill MP, Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, recognised the impressive results of the pilot and announced that it would become permanent in 2026.
Since its introduction, the pilot has secured integration and settlement support for more than 950 refugee newcomers from almost 200 informal groups of Australians who have stepped up in every state and territory, including many in regional areas.
The comprehensive evaluation findings from UQ highlight the viability and benefits of this model for both refugee newcomers and Community Supporter Groups (CSGs). Within just 10–12 months of their arrival:
- 92% of CRISP refugees were in long-term stable housing
- 43% had participated in the labour force
- 97% had studied English since arriving in Australia and 83% were continuing to do so
- 96% of CRISP refugees felt welcome in their local community and 87% felt part of their local community.
The evaluation also demonstrates how this model can support successful settlement in regional communities. 33% of surveyed CRISP households were located in regional areas. Of those:
- 97% reporting that they received the help they needed
- 64% reporting having worked since arriving in Australia within their first 12 months
On the supporter side of the equation, an impressive 83% of Community Supporter Group members said they would recommend CRISP to others, 82% reported a stronger sense of community through their involvement and 76% had made friends with the refugee household they supported and roughly half of groups willing to support another refugee household in the future (with many still busy providing informal support to the first household, beyond the initial 12 months).
“These findings remind us that community sponsorship is not a one-way street — it benefits all involved and has ripple effects that strengthen social cohesion in Australia by building a kinder, more informed and more connected community. I can’t tell you how many times Australian community members have told our team how meaningful and enriching they have found this experience to be.” Ms Button said.
“Whether it be community members working their networks to help newcomers find that important first job, enjoying meals together or guidance about a medical emergency after office hours, the CRISP fosters wholistic support rather than just transactional interactions.
“We extend our congratulations and gratitude to everyone who has contributed to these outcomes: the refugee households who enrich our communities; the Community Supporter Group members who have given so generously of their time, energy, and expertise; and sector organisations across the country who have worked with us to make the CRISP a success. We also thank the government for its commitment to this program and its reappointment of CRSA as its civil society partner in this important endeavour.”
“While we celebrate these significant outcomes during the pilot phase of the CRISP, we know this work can be challenging and emotionally demanding, and remain committed to the ongoing development of the CRISP. That means learning from this evaluation, continuing to listening to the voices of refugee newcomers and community supporters and responding to the ever-changing context within which it operates so that it remains sustainable, well-supported, and continues to deliver strong benefits for refugee newcomers and the Australian community.
The full evaluation is available on the Department of Home Affair’s website: Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Program
Download: Media Release A bright future for innovative refugee integration program 12 June 2026.pdf (362KB)
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