EXP: Australia's refugee responses

AUSTRALIA AND THE SYRIAN REFUGEE CRISIS

THE STORY NOW:

* More than 4 million registered Syrian refugees.

* 2.1 million registered by UNHCR in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon; 1.9 million registered by Turkish government; 24,000 in North Africa.

* More than 2600 of the 300,000 who have tried cross Mediterranean in 2015 have died, including three year-old Aylan whose photo moved the world.

* More than 210,000 crossed Mediterranean in 2014.

AUSTRALIA'S RESPONSE:

* Humanitarian intake more than 20,000 in 2012-13, then reduced to 13,750.

* Due to rise to 18,750 by 2018-19.

* 500 Syrian refugees resettled in 2013-14.

AUSTRALIA'S HISTORY WITH REFUGEES:

* Accepted more than 700,000 since 1945.

* More than 130,000 Indochinese refugees 1975-91.

* Issued more than 16,000 protection visas 1990-91 after Tiananmen Square.

* In 2003-04 more than 70 per cent of refugees from Africa, but focus on Middle East since.

* In 2008-09 largest group from Iraq (2874), then Burma and Afghanistan.

THE KOSOVO CRISIS 1999:

* Howard government accepted 4000 refugees from Kosovo under 'safe haven' visas, including 1400 infants and children under 15.

* Nearly all returned after UNHCR declared Kosovo safe, some with allowances of up to $3000 for resettlement in homeland.

* Cost Australia $100 million over 12 months.

(Source: Parliamentary Library, Department of Health, UNHCR)