Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP)

What Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP) does

Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP) is a Melbourne-based non-profit charity established in 2001 by the Brigidine Sisters that delivers direct support services to asylum seekers and refugees in Victoria, Australia. Its core services include emergency relief (food hampers, cash assistance, bill payments), housing assistance across a managed portfolio of approximately 60 rental properties, employment support, English language tutoring through a volunteer 'Friendship through teaching English' program, and referrals to legal and community services. BASP explicitly prioritizes asylum seekers with no income, no work rights, and no other options — including the ex-Nauru/Manus Island cohort and the ~8,000 people in Australia with no pathway to a permanent visa — and reports preventing homelessness for over 270 individuals and families per month.

The organization operates a community-led, service-based model with no proprietary technology platform; coordination relies on standard office infrastructure, a small staff (two Co-CEOs, a Housing and Support Officer, and an Administration Support Officer, plus part-time finance support), and approximately 100 volunteers. Revenue is generated almost entirely through private donations from individuals, churches, parishes, and community groups, supplemented by a minor State Government grant ($66,000) routed through the NASAVic Housing Network and substantial in-kind support from the Brigidine Sisters (1.5 staff salaries, office space) and the Sisters of St John of God (Housing Support Worker salary). Financial donations over $2 are tax-deductible under DRG status held since 2004, and BASP was incorporated into Kildare Ministries in 2018 as one of its community works, providing institutional governance and access to a network of 10 secondary schools.

Name

Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP)

Legal name

Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP)

Website

https://basp.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BASP is a Melbourne-based non-profit charity founded in 2001 that provides emergency relief, housing across ~60 properties, employment support, and English tutoring to asylum seekers and refugees in Victoria, Australia, funded primarily by private donations and ~100 volunteers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Asylum Seeker and Refugee Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Temporary Shelters (624221)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Safeguarding) (BPADAHAF), Emergency Shelter, Camp Coordination & Camp Management (CCCM) (BPADADAB)

Keywords

• Asylum seeker support
• Refugee housing assistance
• Emergency relief services
• Volunteer english teaching
• Humanitarian settlement services

Headquarters

HQ city

Albert Park

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Private Donations: BASP is entirely funded by private donations from individuals, churches, community groups, and supporters. Financial donations over $2 are tax-deductible. Donations cover housing rent (over $100,000 per month), food, utilities, medical care, and emergency expenses.
2. Government Grants: Received $66,000 from the State Government through NASAVic Housing Network for emergency housing support. This is a minor revenue stream compared to private donations.
3. In-Kind Support: The Brigidine Sisters pay for 1.5 staff positions, provide office space, and make yearly financial donations. Sisters of St John of God provide salary coverage for the Housing Support Worker. Religious groups and community members provide properties at low or no rent.
4. Fundraising Events: Community fundraising activities including trivia nights, music events, silent auctions, and other creative events organized by supporters. One group (St Mary's Hampton) organizes regular trivia nights.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

BASP is a Melbourne-based non-profit organization providing free, direct support services to asylum seekers and refugees in Australia. Its core offerings include emergency relief (food, financial assistance, utilities), housing assistance across approximately 60 managed properties, employment support, English language teaching through volunteer visits, and connections to legal and community services. All services are provided free of charge and funded through private donations.

Product overview

Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP) is a Melbourne-based non-profit organization offering direct support services to asylum seekers and refugees. Rather than a unified software platform, BASP operates as a service organization providing practical assistance programs including emergency relief, housing management, employment support, English language teaching, and legal referrals. Additionally, BASP produces informational products including quarterly newsletters, educational resources for schools, and fundraising guides to support their mission of hospitality and advocacy for people seeking asylum in Australia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Relief Services Provides emergency financial assistance, food hampers, and basic necessities to asylum seekers facing destitution, including utility payments, cash assistance, and household supplies distributed to those with no income or work rights.
• Housing Assistance Manages approximately 60 rental properties to prevent homelessness for asylum seekers, coordinating with house providers, paying rent averaging $84,000 per month, and supporting tenancy management for over 270 individuals and families monthly.
• Employment Support Assists asylum seekers with work rights in finding employment through resume help, job search assistance, and connections to employers.
• English Language Teaching The 'Friendship through teaching English' program provides weekly volunteer visits to asylum seeker families, offering personalized English language instruction and community integration support.
• Legal and Community Connections Facilitates connections to legal services, migration advice, and community support networks for asylum seekers navigating visa status and settlement, including referrals to organizations such as the Refugee Council of Australia and the Human Rights Law Centre.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 270 individuals and families prevented from homelessness monthly through housing assistance
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Kildare MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018BASP was incorporated into Kildare Ministries in 2018 as one of its 'Community Works'. Kildare Ministries is a Public Juridic Person (PJP) responsible for 10 secondary schools and 3 community services. The organization provides governance oversight, mission support, and is part of the broader Brigidine tradition.
• Brigidine SisterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding organization of BASP. The Brigidine Sisters have been engaged in education and social justice in Victoria since 1886. They continue to support BASP by paying for 1.5 staff salaries, providing office space, and making yearly financial donations. The Southern Cross Brigidine Community provides ongoing moral and operational support.
• Sisters of St John of GodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided a 3-year grant to cover the salary of the Housing Support Worker (Hana Hussein). Ongoing financial and moral support for BASP operations.
• NASAVic (Network of Asylum Seekers Agencies Victoria)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBASP is part of this network of organizations working with people seeking asylum. Received $66,000 from the State Government through NASAVic Housing Network for emergency housing support.
• Refugee Advocacy Network (RAN)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBASP actively participates in this network to contribute to advocacy efforts for asylum seeker rights and systemic policy changes.
• Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce (ACRT)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBASP collaborates with this interchurch network to advocate for refugee rights and coordinate responses to policy issues.
• Saltbush BalnarringsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides respite and holiday opportunities for people in need, including BASP families. Part of the Kildare Ministries community works network.
• Kildare Ministries SchoolssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with schools including Sienna College, Marymede College, Chisholm College, St Mary of the Angels, St Augustine's Primary, and Star of the Sea College. Students support BASP through fundraising and awareness activities.
• Churches and ParishessupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupport from churches across different denominations. Parishes provide food donations, volunteers, and community connections.
• Community Support GroupssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGroups including Grandmothers for Refugees, Rural Australians for Refugees, and other community organizations provide volunteer support, fundraising, and advocacy.
• DOXA Weekend CampsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides social experiences and community connection for asylum seekers supported by BASP.
• Cabrini Health HubsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides health services including mental health counseling for asylum seekers referred by BASP.
• Wesley MissionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreviously operated group houses for young asylum seekers under 18. Historical partnership in supporting unaccompanied minors.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• AMES Australia: Large-scale settlement services provider for refugees and migrants in Victoria and beyond. Comparable to BASP in serving asylum seekers with English, employment, and settlement support, though AMES operates government-contracted programs at much greater scale.
• Mission Australia: Major Australian NGO providing housing, homelessness, and community services with dedicated refugee support programs. Comparable to BASP in addressing homelessness for vulnerable populations but operates at national scale across multiple service lines.
• St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria: Faith-based charitable organization providing emergency relief, housing assistance, and case management in Victoria. Comparable to BASP in mission and religious foundation, but operates as part of a national federation with broader social service scope.
• Brotherhood of St Laurence: Melbourne-based social justice organization with research, advocacy, and direct service programs addressing poverty and disadvantage, including some refugee support initiatives. Comparable values base and Melbourne geography, though broader social policy focus.
• Red Cross Australia (Migration Support): National humanitarian organization with dedicated refugee and asylum seeker support programs including housing, case management, and emergency relief. Overlaps significantly with BASP's service mix but operates as part of a much larger multi-program portfolio.

Regional players

• Multicultural Development Association (MDA): Queensland-based settlement services organization providing refugee and migrant support including housing, employment, and advocacy. Comparable service mix to BASP but operates in a different Australian state with its own regional funder base.
• Settlement Services International (SSI): Major refugee and migrant settlement services provider headquartered in Sydney with national reach. Provides comparable services (housing, employment, English, casework) but primary geography is NSW, with limited Victorian operations.

Direct peers

• Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC): Australia's largest asylum seeker support organization, providing food, housing, legal aid, employment, and healthcare services in Melbourne. Directly comparable to BASP in mission and geography, though operating at significantly larger scale with multiple sites and a broader service portfolio.
• Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA): National peak body for refugee-advocacy and policy reform in Australia. BASP participates in similar advocacy networks and serves overlapping client populations; both engage in policy advocacy and member/community education. RCOA focuses more on systemic policy while BASP focuses on direct service.

Emerging players

• Welcoming Australia: Australian advocacy and community network promoting welcoming attitudes toward refugees and migrants. Comparable to BASP's advocacy and education mission, but focuses on community engagement and policy reform rather than direct service delivery.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BASP_Asylum
• Facebookfacebook.com/BrigidineAsylumSeekersProject
• Instagraminstagram.com/baspsocials
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brigidine-asylum-seekers-project

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP)