This is a pro bono opportunity to support the Immigration Advice and Rights Centre (IARC) in completing visa applications for Afghani evacuees. Given the large number of applications and the short timeframes imposed by the Government for their submission, IARC is seeking the assistance of volunteer solicitors.

Volunteer solicitors will assist Afghani evacuee applicants to complete the Refugee and Humanitarian (Class XB) visa application. IARC will arrange appointments between solicitors and Afghani applicants starting March 2022, with interpreters if needed. All appointments can be done via telephone.  IARC will arrange for the signing of forms with clients after the appointment with the volunteer solicitor.

All work completed by the volunteer solicitors will be done under the supervision of an IARC solicitor and will be covered by IARC’s Professional Indemnity Insurance (by way of a volunteer solicitor agreement with IARC). This means that volunteer solicitors do not need to be Registered Migration Agents; however, they will need to hold a Practising Certificate and will need a Working With Children’s Check (volunteer checks applications are free of charge, see here to apply). IARC will provide in-depth training to all volunteer solicitors.

• Time commitment: 6-7 hours in total (2 hours of initial training by IARC, 4-5 hours to complete the Refugee and Humanitarian (Class XB) visa application).
• Requirements: A valid practising certificate for NSW and volunteer NSW WWCC.
• Next training session: Tuesday 8 March 2022, 4pm on Microsoft Teams.

If you can assist, please contact IARC at afghanistan@iarc.org.au with the subject line “Volunteer Solicitor Application – Afghani Evacuee Visa Application”.