AUSTRALIA'S REFUGEE PROGRAM
Services for Refugees
Many refugee and humanitarian entrants are severely traumatised
by the experiences which have caused them to leave their home countries, which
can make their settlement in Australia a challenging experience. The Australian
Government has established a suite of services which aim to meet the often complex
and diverse needs of refugees.
Provided by community agencies, these services aim to provide
refugees with the support and assistance required to rebuild their lives and become
fully functioning members of the Australian community.
Integrated Strategy
The Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (IHSS) provides
intensive settlement support to newly-arrived refugees. IHSS aims to help refugees
achieve self sufficiency as soon as possible by providing them with specialised
services on a needs basis. Through a case management approach, the needs of refugees
are identified and addressed by providing them with settlement services that meet
their particular circumstances.
IHSS focuses on equipping entrants to gain access to mainstream
services. IHSS services are generally provided for around six months, but may
be extended for particularly vulnerable clients.
Humanitarian entrants arriving through the Special Humanitarian
Program do not have access to the full range of IHSS services and they are supported
primarily by their ‘proposer’. These entrants must also fund their
own travel to Australia.
Refugees and asylum seekers who have arrived onshore and who
have temporary protection or bridging visas are not eligible to receive the majority
of IHSS service. For further details about the eligibility, click here.
IHSS services available
Services provided under the IHSS are:
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Case Coordination, Information and Referrals, which includes
a case coordination plan based on an initial needs assessment; information about
and, referral to, other service providers and mainstream agencies; and help for
proposers to fulfil their role of assisting SHP entrants; |
| • |
On Arrival Reception and Assistance, which includes meeting eligible
entrants on arrival, taking them to suitable accommodation, providing initial
orientation and meeting any emergency needs for medical attention or clothing
and footwear; |
| • |
Accommodation Services, which helps entrants to find appropriate
and affordable accommodation and provides them with basic household goods to start
establishing their own household in Australia; and |
| • |
Short Term Torture and Trauma Counselling Services, which provides
an assessment of needs, a case plan, referral for torture and trauma counselling
and raises awareness among other health care providers of health issues arising
from torture and trauma experiences. |
IHSS services are delivered by service providers contracted
to DIAC. Volunteer groups also work with service providers to support entrants
and assist them to settle into the local community.
When humanitarian entrants exit the IHSS, they are referred
to general settlement services provided through Migrant Resource Centres, Migrant
Service Agencies and organisations funded under the Community Settlement Services
Scheme.
View the IHSS
Provider List.
Settlement Grants Program (SGP)
The SGP funds service funded by DIAC helps migrants, refugees
and humanitarian entrants become more self reliant and participate more fully
in Australian society. Services are funded according to which communities and
locations are in greatest need of settlement assistance and are responsive to
changing settlement patterns and needs. In 2008-2009 $32m has been allocated to
the SGP. For a full list of currently funded organisations go to http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/delivering-assistance/settlement-grants/recommended-orgs.htm
NSW Refugee Health Service
The NSW Refugee Health Service funded by the NSW Department
of Health aims to protect and promote the health of refugees and people of refugee-like
backgrounds in NSW. The Service provides consultation and support to health care
workers and others working with refugees and asylum seekers, provides community
education to health service providers, gives health information to refugees and
provides clinical assessments and referrals, particularly for recent arrivals.
See http://www.swsahs.nsw.gov.au/areaser/refugeehs/about_rhs_our_aim.asp
Translating & Interpreting Service (TIS)
The TIS is a DIAC funded 24-hour 7 day a week telephone and
on-site interpreting and translating service covering most community languages.
The phone number is 131 450.
Citizenship Support Grants Program
This is a DIAC funded discretionary grant that provides support
for clients requiring assistance to prepare for the Australian Citizenship test.
For the first year in 2008-2009 the program will run as a pilot. http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/delivering-assistance/csgp-funded-orgs.pdf
Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)
The AMEP is a DIAC funded program offering free English language
tuition to migrants and humanitarian entrants who do not have functional English.
Refugee and humanitarian entrants under the age of 25, with low levels of schooling,
are eligible for up to 910 hours of English classes. Humanitarian entrants over
25 years old are eligible for 610 hours. All other migrants are eligible for 510
hours. AMEP classes are delivered by service providers around Australia in over
250 locations. There are a range of learning options – from full or part
time study in formal classrooms or community settings or home study, either through
Distance learning or through the Home Tutor Scheme. See http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/help-with-english/learn-english/
Complex Case Support (CCS) Service
The Complex Case Support Service is a DIAC funded service assisting
newly arrived refugee and humanitarian entrants with specialized, intensive case
management. Those who access the service will have needs that extend beyond the
scope of existing settlement services. Such barriers to successful settlement
include pre-migration experiences, severe physical and mental health conditions
or crisis events after arrival.
The Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture
and Trauma (FASSTT)
FASSTT is a national network of Australia’s 8 specialist
rehabilitation agencies that work with survivors of torture and trauma who have
come to Australia from overseas.
FASSTT agencies help refugees recover from their experiences and build a new life
in Australia. The organisations offers counseling, group therapy, group activities
and outings, camps for children and young people, English classes and physiotherapy.
http://www.fasstt.org.au/home/index.php
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