Get Help
Below is a list of organisations, government, non government, advocacy groups and non for profits which provide resources, practical information and help in emergencies. While some operate across Australia the focus is on what is available across the greater Sydney area.
If you find links which do not work or information which is no longer applicable contact us at socialmedia@bmrsg.org.au
COVID-19 information for refugees and people seeking asylum
Afghan Community Mental Health Profile
Background to Afghan migration to Australia, community in NSW, culture, resources, community organisations and references.
Update to Refugee Law – Asylum Seeker Caseload Act
ASRC has made the following videos to outline the recent changes in the law that impacts asylum seekers
This information is valuable for asylum seekers who’ve come by boat to Australia and anyone working with or supporting asylum seekers.
Click on the appropriate language link below:
- English
- Hazaragi and Persian: Refugee Law Update 23/24 December 2014 by ASRC legal team.
- Persian and English
- Tamil and English (produced in conjunction with the Australian Tamil Congress and Refugee & Immigration Legal Centre (RILC).
Mangai Resource: A manual written for Tamil refugees and asylum seekers
Archana Sudhir, Jasmin James, Michelle Gaymer, Elisha Bae and Neha Malla are occupational therapy students at the University of Sydney. They have produced a resource for Tamil refugees and asylum seekers which facilitates the use of transport, banking, post office and health services. It is written in the Tamil language.
Mangai Resource – banking and transport Part 1
Mangai Resource – post office and health Part 2
A Survival Kit A useful resource to make your life easier in Australia. Written in Farsi.
Support for refugees and asylum-seekers
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.
Settlement Services International
Settlement Services International (SSI) supports newcomers and other Australians to achieve their full potential.
Community organisations offering practical help
- Asylum Seekers Centre – Sydney
The Asylum Seekers Centre provides practical and personal support for people seeking asylum living in the community.
- Get Help – Community Care Australia
- Service directories for refugees and people seeking asylum – Refugee Council of Australia
- Get Help – JRS Australia
- House of Welcome St Francis Social Services
Accommodation
- Asylum Seekers Centre Accommodation, Legal & Financial Support | Asylum Seekers Centre
- House of Welcome St Francis Social Services
- Housing and Homelessness in NSW – St Vincent de Paul Society – Good Works (vinnies.org.au)
COVID19 Information
- COVID-19 and the border (homeaffairs.gov.au)
- Information in your language | COVID-19 In Your Language (homeaffairs.gov.au)
- SBS Language | Coronavirus information in your language
Education/English classes
- Adult Migrant English Program – Services Australia
- Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program – Department of Education, Skills and Employment, Australian Government (dese.gov.au)
- Education & Employment | New Arrivals to NSW | Multicultural NSW
- Pathways to education – Refugee Council of Australia
- Scholarships for people seeking asylum and refugees – Refugee Council of Australia
- Asylum Seekers Centre – Material Support, Education & Social Service | Asylum Seekers Centre
Emergency food
- Get Help – Community Care Australia
- Asylum Seekers Centre – Material Support, Education & Social Service | Asylum Seekers Centre
- Foodbank – JRS Australia
Employment
- Settling in Australia (homeaffairs.gov.au)
- https://www.ssi.org.au/services/employment
- Asylum Seekers Centre Employment Assistance Service | Asylum Seekers Centre
- Education & Employment | New Arrivals to NSW | Multicultural NSW
Financial help and advice/payments
- Refugee Servicing Network – What it can help you with – Services AustraliaHelp for refugees, humanitarian entrants and new arrivals – Services Australia
- Refugees & Asylum Seekers | Life Without Barriers (lwb.org.au)
- Asylum Seeker Program – St Vincent de Paul Society – Good Works (vinnies.org.au)
Language services
Legal
- Legal or migration advice – Refugee Council of Australia
- Asylum Seekers Centre Accommodation, Legal & Financial Support | Asylum Seekers Centre
- Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS) Legal support for refugees and people seeking asylum.
Medicare and general/mental health
- Refugee Servicing Network – What it can help you with – Services AustraliaHelp for refugees, humanitarian entrants and new arrivals – Services Australia
- Health | New Arrivals to NSW | Multicultural NSW
- Asylum Seekers Centre Health Service | Asylum Seekers Centre
- SWSLHD – NSW Refugee Health Service
- Transcultural Mental Health Centre (TMHC) – Transcultural Mental Health Centre (nsw.gov.au)
- https://www.startts.org.au/service
- Asylum Seekers Centre Health Service | Asylum Seekers Centre
Ombudsman
Transport
Visa information
- Visa list (homeaffairs.gov.au)
- Check visa conditions online (VEVO) (homeaffairs.gov.au)
- Information and factsheets for refugees – Refugee Council of Australia
Federal Government
Services Australia delivers payments and services, including Medicare and Centrelink
This website includes Federal Government advice and support for refugees, including learning English, grants and some work information:
NSW Government
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.