Get Help
BMRSG is a Blue Mountains based community support group for refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia. The group provides assistance to people living in western Sydney and the Blue Mountains through in-home visits and, in some cases, through financial support. BMRSG members are also involved in advocacy through rallies, fundraising and letter writing.
BMRSG has limited resources so this Get Help page aims to direct refugees and asylum seekers to services and organisations they can access for legal advice, medical support, financial help, accommodation, access to English classes, interpreters and so on.
The General Support section lists the Federal and State Government departments which have responsibility for helping refugees and asylum seekers, as well as some non-government umbrella organisations that operate in the Sydney area.
The FAQ section lists services and support groups in the Sydney area organised according to the specific needs refugees and asylum seekers might have.
If you know of services not listed or find information which is no longer applicable, please contact us at socialmedia@bmrsg.org.au
General support for refugees and asylum seekers
For particular needs such as financial, legal, medical etc, see the categorised FAQs further down.
Federal Government Services
Services Australia: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/
Department of Home Affairs: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations: https://www.dewr.gov.au/
NSW Government Services
Multicultural NSW: https://multicultural.nsw.gov.au/
NSW Health Services (Area based): https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/
Transport for NSW: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/
Non-Government umbrella organisations
Refugee Council of Australia: https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/
The Refugee Council of Australia has information on advocacy, campaigns and legal issues. It also provides a wide range of fact sheets on visas, housing and education.
Support Services International: https://www.ssi.org.au/
SSI delivers a range of human services that connect individuals, families and children from diverse backgrounds with opportunities – from settlement support, to disability programs, community engagement initiatives and training and employment pathways.
Asylum Seekers Centre: https://asylumseekerscentre.org.au/
Based in Newtown, the Asylum Seekers Centre is a place of welcome and support. It provides practical help for refugees and people seeking asylum throughout Greater Sydney and advocates for fair and humane policies.
FAQs
Q. What government services are available for refugees who have just arrived in Australia?
Federal Government
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- Migrants, refugees and visitors – Services Australia: Services Australia delivers payments and services, including Medicare and Centrelink
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- Settling in Australia – Home Affairs Department: This website includes Federal Government advice and support for refugees, including learning English, grants and some work information
NSW Government
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- New Arrivals to NSW | Multicultural NSW: This portal provides information to help all migrants living in NSW. It has links to useful organisations, websites and resources, including housing, education, employment, emergency services, transport, language, law and humanitarian services.
Q. What help is available for someone just released from immigration detention?
These two agencies are able to assist people recently released with Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS). They will assess the asylum seeker and provide a caseworker to assist them.
Q. How does the Visa given to a refugee or asylum seeker affect what support they can access?
Q. Where can refugees and asylum seekers get practical assistance?
These services which are based in or around Sydney can provide help with a wide range of needs
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- Asylum Seekers Centre – provides support in the Sydney area
- Servants Community Care Australia – based in Western Sydney
- Jesuit Refugee Services Australia (JRS) – Sydney based, with particular links to Western Sydney
- House of Welcome St Francis Social Services – provides support in the Sydney area
- Ask Izzy (A website directing people to the support service best suited to their needs.)
Q. Are there organisations which can help refugees and asylum seekers find accommodation?
Q. Where can refugees and asylum seekers learn English or gain qualifications?
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- Adult Migrant English Program – Services Australia
- Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program – (Federal Department of Employment and Workplace Relations)
- Education & Employment – NSW New Arrivals Support
- Pathways to education – Refugee Council of Australia
- Scholarships for refugees and asylum seekers – Refugee Council of Australia
- Families and Education – Asylum Seekers Centre
Q. Are there groups that provide emergency assistance such as food?
Q. How can refugees and asylum seekers find a job?
(Also see the section on education and gaining qualifications above)
Q. What financial help and advice can refugees and asylum seekers access?
Q. Where can refugees and asylum seekers find translators and other language services?
Q. Are there any groups which can provide refugees and asylum seekers with legal advice?
Q. What medical services can refugees and asylum seekers access?
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- Refugee Servicing Network – Services Australia
- Help for refugees, humanitarian entrants and new arrivals – Services Australia
- Asylum Seekers Centre Health Service – Asylum Seekers Centre
- SWSLHD – NSW Refugee Health Service
- Transcultural Mental Health Centre (TMHC) – NSW Health Department
- How STARTTS Helps Clients (STARTTS: Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors)
Q. Are refugees and asylum seekers eligible for concessions on public transport in NSW?
Q. If a Federal Government Department is not providing the support they should be providing, who can refugees and asylum seekers go to for help?
A Federal Ombusdman can review what Federal Government Departments have done and hold them accountable.