Brokering Refugee Settlement in Australia: An Assemblage of Development

This study uses ethnographic methods to explore the development practices of refugee settlement support provided by one non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Australia. Refugees rely heavily on NGOs to support their settlement. However, the internal practices, struggles, and decision-making process of these organisations and their workers are often rendered invisible while implementing aid. This thesis examines the challenges and practices of balancing addressing refugees’ needs with ensuring organisational sustainability under a neoliberal funding environment. The findings suggest development is deeply political and motivated by the different interests and brokerage of the actors involved within a development assemblage.