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The Herbert Smith Freehills Asylum Seeker Clinic is a joint project between the Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS) and our Sydney office, providing pro bono support to people seeking asylum in New South Wales who are eligible to apply for protection visas.

At a weekly evening clinic, our lawyers interview clients with the assistance of interpreters, prepare a client statement and identify and refer any other migration advice the client requires to RACS.

Our team has assisted numerous Hazara clients from Afghanistan, Rohingya clients who have fled Rakhine state in Myanmar, and Tamil clients from Sri Lanka to apply for protection visas.


A clients story

Layla* is a single mother who made the journey to Australia by boat with her children in 2013. Layla escaped severe violence, persecution and trauma in her home country to seek a safe life for her family. She spent years in Australia, waiting for the chance to apply for protection.

Meeting with her lawyers gave her the chance to tell her story. With RACS' assistance, she was finally able to apply for a protection visa.