Australia for UNHCR

{{notability|1=Companies|date=August 2019}}

{{short description|Australian charity}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}

{{Use Australian English|date=August 2016}}

{{Infobox organization

| name = Australia for UNHCR

| logo = Australia for UNHCR logo.svg

| logo_size =

| logo_alt = Australia for UNHCR

| logo_caption =

| motto =

| established = {{start date|2000|07|04|df=y}}{{cite web|url=https://connectonline.asic.gov.au/RegistrySearch/faces/landing/SearchRegisters.jspx?_adf.ctrl-state=eqjalx06v_4 |title=Australia for UNHCR |publisher=Australian Securities and Investments Commission |location=Sydney |date=4 July 2000 |accessdate=26 August 2019}}
Operating since {{start date and age|2000|07|04|df=y}}

| founder = Naomi Steer

| services = Building support for the UN's Refugee Agency

| website = {{url|https://www.unrefugees.org.au}}

}}

Australia for UNHCR is an Australian charity that raises funds and support for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN's Refugee Agency. It was established on 4 July 2000.

== Fundraising ==

The organisation raises funds for international humanitarian programs supporting refugees and other displaced or stateless people, and undertakes activities to raise public awareness of the plight of refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR.{{cite web|url=https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/673eb60bc05f99ed486534f82e11c39b |title=Charities Portal |publisher=Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission |accessdate=29 August 2019}}

From an income of $100,000 in the first year of fundraising, the organisation raised $6.6 million in 2008.{{cite web|url=https://www.fpmagazine.com.au/fundraising-shooting-star-216088/ |title=FUNDRAISING SHOOTING STAR |publisher=F&P |accessdate=29 August 2019}} The most recent Annual Information Statement reported to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission reports a total annual income of $41,510,916.{{cite web|url=https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/673eb60bc05f99ed486534f82e11c39b#overview |title=Charities Portal - Overview |publisher=Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission |accessdate=29 August 2019}}

This has funded humanitarian work in Central America,{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/south-america/hand-over-your-son-or-we-ll-shoot-him-escaping-central-america-s-gang-violence-20180409-p4z8lw.html |title='Hand over your son or we'll shoot him': escaping Central America's gang violence |date=13 April 2018 |publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald |accessdate=29 August 2019}} the Philippines{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/10/help-typhoon-haiyan-relief-effort |title=Typhoon Haiyan: how you can help the Philippines |work=The Guardian |date=12 November 2013 |publisher=Guardian Australia |accessdate=29 August 2019}} and throughout Africa.{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/cyclone-idai-how-you-can-help-the-victims-of-the-devastation-in-africa |title=Cyclone Idai: How you can help the victims of the devastation in Africa |publisher=Special Broadcasting Service |accessdate=29 August 2019}}

== Special Representatives ==

High profile special representatives of Australia for UNHCR include Australian stage, film and theatre actor Marta Dusseldorp, actor and author Carina Hoang,{{cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/stellar/i-was-so-happy-to-give-a-packet-of-gum-as-a-family-christmas-present/news-story/c48428e61d043e5f433ecc999e7f8e20 |title=Carina Hoang: The day I fled Vietnam in a boat |publisher=The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) |accessdate=29 August 2019}} cricketer Ian Chappell{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/i-wasnt-proud-of-my-own-country--why-ian-chappell-is-embarrassed-about-australias-treatment-of-refugees-20150618-ghqw4o.html |title="I wasn't proud of my own country": Why Ian Chappell is embarrassed about Australia's treatment of refugees |date=18 June 2015 |publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald |accessdate=29 August 2019}} and comedian and actor Jane Turner.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/be-noice-australia-20041208-gdk9nq.html |title=Be noice, Australia |date=7 December 2004 |publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald |accessdate=29 August 2019}}

== Patrons ==

The founding patron of Australia for UNHCR was former Nationals leader and deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer, who was followed by former Governor General of Australia, Quentin Bryce.{{cite web|url=https://old.gg.gov.au/program/australia-unhcr-world-refugee-day-breakfast |title=Governor-General's Program |publisher=Governor-General of Australia |accessdate=29 August 2019}} {{asof|2025|1}} the Patrons are Gillian Triggs and Michael Dwyer.{{cite web |title=Our Ambassadors and Patrons |url=https://www.unrefugees.org.au/about-us/our-ambassadors/ |website=Australia for UNHCR |access-date=2 January 2025 |language=en}}

== Board ==

Members of the Board of Directors include former CEO of First State Super Michael Dwyer,{{cite web|url=https://www.superreview.com.au/news/people-products/first-state-super-ceo-becomes-unhcr-australia-chair |title=First State Super CEO Becomes UNHCR Australia Chair |publisher=Super Review |date=2 August 2018 |accessdate=29 August 2019}} Chief Technology Officer for The Iconic Zoe Ghani, former ABC News (Australia) executive Kate Dundas, Microsoft Australia executive Lynn Dang, Rick Millen and sports administrator John Boultbee (sport administrator).{{cite web|url=https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/673eb60bc05f99ed486534f82e11c39b#people |title=Charities Portal - People |publisher=Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission |accessdate=29 August 2019}}