Refugee and Migrant Resource
This resource is not designed to replace the services offered by organisations which receive funding from the government to assist refugees and migrants. It is designed to provide assistance to pastors, layworkers and laypeople who might be trying to assist migrants and refugees to access and utilise these services. It also outlines practical ways congregations can help their migrant and refugee brothers and sisters.
Key service providers:
For help within 6 months of arrival in Australia
Victoria the Adult Migrant Education Services (AMES) is funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to provide intensive settlement assistance under the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (IHSS) to people from refugee and humanitarian backgrounds during their initial period of settlement, generally the first six months after arrival in Australia. The kind of help offered under this program includes:
- On-Arrival Reception & Assistance and Accommodation Services: Refugees are met at the airport, taken to safe, secure and suitable longer term accommodation, provided with sufficient information and assistance, including emergency assistance, to be able to function in their new environment. SHP Entrants will normally be met by their proposer and provided with initial accommodation and emergency assistance.
- Case Coordination, Information and Referral: Each Client will be assigned to a case coordinator who will make a comprehensive assessment of the needs of the entrant family; develop and implement a tailored case plan. Community guides with similar language and cultural backgrounds will provide practical assistance and support to each refugee family e.g accompanying entrants to appointments, orienting them to local community, public transport, etc. Volunteers may be appointed when required to assist the SHPs where a proposer is not able to provide support.
- Short-Term Torture and Trauma Counselling Services: All Entrants are eligible for an assessment of psychological health and interventions that are consistent with their cultural backgrounds.
This assistance is available to two main groups of clients: Refugees (refugees are holders of sub-class 200, 203 and 204 visas) and Special Humanitarian Program (SHP or holders of 202 visas) Entrants and their Proposers.
Phone 1800 500 962 to contact AMES Settlement Services.
For an explanation of the services offered by AMES and contact details in pdf format click
here
For more information including contact details visit
AMES
Or for general information about IHSS visit
DIAC
For help available from 6 months post-arrival
The DIAC funds various organisations to provide settlement services to refugees and other entrants up until they have resided in Australia for 5 years. To locate one of these services search the list of organisations who were successfulin obtaining grants in 2007
To find out more about The Settlement Grants Program visit DIAC Settlement Grants Program
To check eligibility to receive Settlement Services Help check the DIAC Fact Sheet titled Fact Sheet 96. Eligibility for Settlement Services
Telephone Interpreting Services
Offered by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, this service is available to people who do not speak English and for English speakers who need to communicate with them. It is a national service that is available to any person or organization in Australia 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is available from anywhere in Australia for the price of a local call.
General Enquiries: 131 450
On-site Interpreting Enquiries: 1300 655 082
Doctors Priority Line: 1300 131 450
Police & Emergency Services Priority Line: 1300 655 010