New services that will improve the integration of refugees into the community were announced today by the Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy.
There have been 18 service providers across 24 contract regions selected from a national tender process to provide intensive settlement support to eligible humanitarian clients on arrival and throughout their initial settlement period.
Under the new arrangements, the government has moved to strengthen humanitarian support services around three major regional centres – Geelong, Newcastle and Wollongong.
Senator Lundy said it was a government priority to ensure that refugees accepted into Australia can participate fully in our economic and social life as quickly as possible, by equipping them with skills and knowledge to independently gain access to services in key areas such as education, health care and the workforce.
“Australia has a proven record of providing world-class settlement services,” Senator Lundy said.
“The new Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS) program builds on this reputation through a tailored service delivery model that will help these people to gain the skills and confidence needed to become fully participating members of the community.”
HSS services will be delivered through a coordinated case management model and include on-arrival reception, case coordination, referral to mainstream services, information about life in Australia, cultural and local orientation, and assistance finding accommodation.
There will be a strong emphasis on a more comprehensive cultural orientation program, the needs of youth, and the importance of working closely with other settlement and mainstream service providers.
HSS replaces the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy program which commenced in October 2005 and expired on 3 April 2011. The new contracts commence today.
