Calling for reform of Australia’s migration health laws to end discrimination against people with disabilities and health conditions
“Australians value fairness and compassion. Our immigration policies should reflect this rather than treating people with a disability as a lesser valued class.”
Graeme Innes AM, Former Australian Disability Discrimination Commissioner
“The heart of the process is proving to the government that you're worth more to the country than the cost of your treatment. So you're reduced to coming up with lots of different arguments for why your contribution to society is worth more than whatever this number is. How can I possibly quantify how much being able to live and work close to my husband's family is worth?”
— Health waiver Applicant
About Us
In March 2020, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) and Down Syndrome Australia launched the Welcoming Disability campaign. The campaign responds to ongoing discrimination faced by people with disabilities or health issues applying to come to Australia as temporary or permanent residents. Since then, Welcoming Disability has led the important national conversation on the way prospective migrants and visitors to Australia who have health or disability-related issues are treated.
The Migration Health Requirement (MHR) is based on outmoded, stigmatising and arbitrary assumptions that people with disabilities or health conditions, and their families, are only a cost burden to Australian society, rather than a net asset to our communities, schools and workplaces. Welcoming Disability believes it’s time to end discrimination against people with disabilities and health conditions in Australia’s migration practices.
Our Priorities
Reforming the Migration Health Requirement in line with the recommendations of the 2023 Disability Royal Commission Report.
Reforming the MHR to comply with Australia’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as it applies to migration.
Reviewing the Disability Discrimination Act as it relates to migration by removing the exemption of the Migration Act from the Disability Discrimination Act.
Ensuring that that the education of children with disability is not costed as part of the MHR, in recognition that education is a human right and the education of all children is a community investment, not a community cost.
Establishing a clear relationship between the Significant Cost Threshold ( SCT) used to screen out migrants and the government’s expenditure on health and welfare for the average Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Read our detailed Position Statement on migration and disability.
Read our media coverage of our campaign and stories about the families and children that have been affected.
Read the latest news and updates on the Welcoming Disability campaign.
Read our Open Letter from March 2023 calling on federal government to end discrimination against migrants with disability.
The Welcoming Disability Campaign does not provide legal advice or migration advice. The information provided on all materials created for the Welcoming Disability Campaign is of a general nature only and should not be relied upon by individuals. If you require advice on your situation, contact a lawyer or a Registered Migration Agent.
How can I help?
Get involved in this important campaign by signing up as a supporter of a fair go for migrants with a disability
Our Allies
