Immigration Advice and Rights Centre (IARC)

The Immigration Advice and Rights Centre (IARC) is a distinguished not-for-profit community legal centre with over 35 years of dedication to migration law and policy. Our mission is grounded in the pursuit of a fair and just immigration system accessible to all, particularly focusing on supporting migrants experiencing vulnerability in New South Wales. By providing complimentary legal information, advice, and casework services, we seek to address the needs of our clients, who often face significant challenges such as financial disadvantage, homelessness, or trauma. IARC is proactive in delivering community legal education and engaging in law reform and policy activities. We collaborate with organisations across the legal, social justice, and human rights sectors to address individual cases and tackle systemic issues. Our core projects include Immigration and Domestic Violence, where we assist individuals on temporary visas dealing with domestic challenges, and Visa Assist, which empowers migrant workers to enforce workplace rights by providing expert advice. Our committed efforts are deeply rooted in providing independent, confidential legal advice, particularly to those at risk of family violence—an area comprising more than half of our work. IARC offers a pathway to safety and permanency by educating and supporting victim-survivors of domestic and family violence. Since our inception in the mid-1980s, we have grown from the Interagency Migration Group to an autonomous legal centre that influences policy and supports migrant communities. We maintain a focus on education, advocacy, and legal assistance—reflecting our ongoing commitment to ensuring a welcoming and supportive community for all, regardless of their visa status.