How many Afghan refugees are there in Australia?

12000-15000 Afghan refugees

It is important to know the fact that there are approximately 12 -15,000 permanent Afghan community members in Australia.  Not too many people know that they have arrived mainly since the Soviet invasion in 1979.  Needless to say, there are about 3,500 Afghans on temporary protection visas.  Keep in mind that under an Australian Government 2001 law, if a refugee has spent at least 7 days in a country where they could have claimed refugee status, these persons are never allowed to apply for permanent refugee status.