Others who are studying English or training for a work qualification are being forced to choose between continuing their studies or finding immediate work to support themselves. But details of the breadth of the policy have become clearer over recent weeks, with more and more asylum seekers affected. It is unclear how many people might be caught up in the changes, but agencies supporting asylum seekers estimate it could affect up to 10,000 people across the country, mainly in Sydney and Melbourne. Dozens of asylum seekers have already received letters informing them their SRSS has been cut off. A source familiar with the new policy described it as “deliberately punitive” and pushing asylum seekers towards destitution.

Source: The Guardian March 09, 2018 06:56 UTC