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"Without the counselling I would not have been able
to build a new life for myself in Australia"

 

"There is hope for everyone, if they get support,
to build themselves a new life"

 

"We will be forever thankful for helping us and treating us with respect and kindness"

 

"We are living in a better place. We have the opportunity
to reach our goals, and we are together"

 

"That was the first time anyone believed in me. It was special that they did not give up on me. That’s the only thing that kept me going. I don’t feel the anger anymore – I’m free"

What is FASSTT?

The Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT) is a network of Australia’s eight specialist rehabilitation agencies that work with survivors of torture and trauma who have come to Australia from overseas. Most clients of FASSTT agencies have come to Australia as refugees or humanitarian entrants. FASSTT agencies also work with survivors of torture and trauma who have come to Australia as asylum seekers. There is one FASSTT member agency in each state and territory of Australia.

Refugee Transitions reports on a wide range of refugee and human rights issues which are relevant to our work.

View the latest Refugee Transitions issue
View past Refugee Transitions issues

4th Australia and New Zealand Refugee Trauma Recovery in Resettlement Conference | 4-6 May, 2026

This is a bi-national, sector-leading conference focused on refugee trauma recovery and resettlement practice, policy, research, and lived experience. It brings together practitioners, researchers, community leaders, and government stakeholders from across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.

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Comprehensive independent evaluation of the PASTT program completed

The 2022 evaluation commissioned by the Australian Government found that PASTT demonstrates high levels of appropriateness in meeting client needs and improving outcomes for refugee communities.

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Australia ratifies major anti-torture treaty

On 15 December 2017 Australia took the final step necessary to ratify and implement a major international treaty that combats torture and other forms of mistreatment. This is an opportunity to protect the rights of people who are detained in Australia for generations to come.

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Never Turning Away

Never Turning Away (2017) is a report marking 25 years of the FASSTT network.

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The Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide

The Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide can be used by doctors, nurses and other primary care providers to inform on-arrival and ongoing health care for people from refugee backgrounds, including people seeking asylum.

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FASSTT’s statement of support for people from the LGBTIQ+ community

People across the world experience discrimination and persecution on the basis of their gender identity and sexual orientation.

Many countries have capital or criminal punishment for homosexuality, and increasingly countries are adopting laws and policies condoning harm and persecution of transgender and gender diverse peoples. State and government supported political forces have used gender and sexuality to polarise populations.

FASSTT believes that this experience or fear of persecution is an abuse of human rights, that causes people to flee their home country in search of safety.

FASSTT recognises efforts within the humanitarian, trauma and settlement sector to provide protection and welcome of LGBTIQ+ identifying peoples. We call for recognition of the specific vulnerabilities and needs of LGBTIQ+ peoples throughout all stages of the refugee determination and settlement process.

We also recognise that many LGBTIQ+ people do not feel a sense of safety and belonging within their own community while experiencing prejudice and lack of understanding within a wider LGBTIQ+ community. FASSTT commits to working with this complexity on all levels of social systems to create safety, belonging, recovery and realisation of human rights and dignity.

Recent News

News and MediaFASSTT Marks the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture Amid Escalating Global Conflict
June 26, 2025

FASSTT Marks the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture Amid Escalating Global Conflict

On this United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT) stands in unwavering solidarity with survivors of torture around the world. Torture remains one of the most egregious violations of human rights. It destroys bodies, fractures minds…
News and MediaFASSTT asks Senators to reject Bills which could have serious damaging consequences for refugees in Australia
November 28, 2024

FASSTT asks Senators to reject Bills which could have serious damaging consequences for refugees in Australia

FASSTT has called on Senators to oppose three Bills which could have serious damaging consequences for refugees and people seeking protection in Australia. The legislative proposals are the Migration Amendment Bill 2024, the Migration Amendment (Removal and Other Measures) Bill 2024 and the Migration Amendment (Prohibiting Items in Immigration Detention…
News and MediaFASSTT Statement: The humanitarian crisis affecting the Middle East
April 2, 2024

FASSTT Statement: The humanitarian crisis affecting the Middle East

This statement provides an update to FASSTT’s statement “Support for people affected by the events in Israel and Gaza” published on 26 October 2023 . In October 2023, the Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT) issued a statement calling for a ceasefire and expressing its…