Our vision
To welcome, respect and support refugees and people seeking asylum.
To promote the acceptance and integration of refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia, by thinking globally and acting locally.

What we do
Volunteers across the Northern Rivers coming together to:
Refugee resettlement
Welcome refugees to settle locally and support them to access health, education and other services. >>
Raise awareness
Educate and inform the community on the need to care for people seeking asylum. >>
Fundraise
Fundraise and organise events, markets stalls and donor functions to achieve our vision. >>
Get involved
There are many ways you can act to change a refugee family’s life! You really can make a difference, one family at a time!
Refugee family welcome
- Join or start a support group.
- Undergo training & link with other local groups.
- Mentor a refugee family and change their lives.
“Truly, I am very grateful for your presence in my life and the life of my family, which has finished its first year in Australia. My family and I are enjoying a new life filled with love, friendship and happiness in every sense of the word.”

Foaad Makansi
Celebrating his first anniversary in Australia, supported by NRFR volunteers.
Latest news
-
Bangalow market stall
Read more: Bangalow market stallOn the fourth Sunday of the month, NRFR’s Bangalow Market fundraising stall is going from strength to strength! The stall is a valuable fundraising opportunity and it helps spread the…
-
NRFR & Tweed Welcomes Refugees partnership
Read more: NRFR & Tweed Welcomes Refugees partnershipNorthern Rivers for Refugees recently formed a partnership with Tweed Welcomes Refugees. TWR is a community supporter group (CSG), formed in May 2023. TWR is the eighth CSG that Northern…
-
Breaking news: Great funding offer for CSGs
Read more: Breaking news: Great funding offer for CSGsIf you’re thinking of forming a Community Supporter Group to welcome a refugee family, there is $5000 in seed funding waiting for you – but be quick, the offer is…
Notices
-
Meet our new Volunteers Coordinator
Read more: Meet our new Volunteers CoordinatorWe’re delighted to welcome Ollie Heathwood as NRFR’s new Volunteers Coordinator. Ollie brings a wealth of experience and energy to this essential role. NRFR could not function without our incredible…
-
Help an Afghani girl learn English
Read more: Help an Afghani girl learn EnglishManizha is an Afghani teenager denied an education by the Taliban – but for a small monthly donation you can help her learn English online with a Northern Rivers teacher.…
-
And yet another way you can help
Read more: And yet another way you can helpCommunity Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA) has launched The Isla Network – an online directory where anyone in Australia can share offers of support for refugee newcomers and local groups participating…
Latest events
-
Bangalow market stall
Read more: Bangalow market stallOn the fourth Sunday of the month, NRFR’s Bangalow Market fundraising stall is going from strength to strength! The stall is a valuable fundraising opportunity and it helps spread the…
-
Hilarity for a serious cause
Read more: Hilarity for a serious causeMore than 150 people gathered on 16 November with the same purpose – to support another refugee family to settle in the Northern Rivers. Local comedian Ellen Briggs gave her…
-
Help us find a job for a refugee
Read more: Help us find a job for a refugeeIf you or someone you know may be able to provide employment for a refugee, please join us for drinks and nibbles from 6-7pm on Wednesday January 22 at Stone…
Keep up-to-date
Subscribe to receive our monthly Bulletin