Designated Safe Country of Origin

Under Section 12 (4) of the Refugee Act 1996, the Minister may also designate certain countries as safe countries of origin. An asylum seeker who is a national or who has a right to reside in such a country or who has lodged a prior application in another state is presumed not to be a refugee unless he or she can show reasonable grounds to the contrary.

Croatia and South Africa have been designated as safe countries of origin. 

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