Migrant & Refugee Settlement Services
Migrant & Refugee Settlement services
The community and support the wellbeing of young people. Value Care wants to support you to be more independent, to improve your wellbeing and social connection, and to build your confidence and skills. Learn more about our mental health services and how we can help support you.
Humanitarian Settlement Program
Our Humanitarian Settlement Program is a national program supported by the Australian Government. With the help of amazing volunteers, partner organisations and local communities we offer refugees a safe and welcoming introduction to their new life in Australia. The program assists refugees to establish themselves in their first 12 months in the country. Many in our teams have experiences of migration or as refugees themselves.
We work alongside new Australians to:
- set up their new homes
- learn about their new communities
- connect to local services like Medicare, schools and other community networks
- improve their English
- learn new skills
- link with job and volunteering opportunities.
Everyone thrives when given a fair go. With some practical advice and new friends, newly-arrived refugees have much to offer their new communities.
What we do We work with newly-arrived migrants to build on their strengths and support their needs. This includes:
- Assistance to become socially and financially independent
- Support from bilingual case workers and volunteers
- Support to build client confidence through orientation programs
- Community connection with mainstream health, educational and accommodation services
- Specialized and intensive services for people with complex needs. To find out about visas classes eligible for the Humanitarian Settlement Program, visit the government website
You can help support the program by volunteering Volunteers are a vital connection between refugees and their new communities. We are always on the lookout for friendly and accepting volunteers, who are motivated to work together to create positive settlement experiences. All experience levels and backgrounds welcome
Asylum seekers
Support for people who have arrived in Australia seeking protection.
EMERGENCY RELIEF Important message for people on temporary visas who have urgent needs.
If you are an asylum seeker in Australia, we have services that can help you. It doesn’t matter how you arrived in Australia.
How we can help
You can visit one of our offices around the country to talk to someone and learn about migration services available in your area. You can get help in an emergency if you’re suffering financial hardship and have no other support. We can also help you connect with your local community by volunteering. You can learn new skills and meet new people. Contact an office in your local area to find out more about how we can help you.
Emergency relief
If you are an asylum seeker or a migrant who can’t access any other support and you are suffering financial hardship, Value Care may be able to help you. Some of the ways that we can help meet your immediate needs include: food packages household goods, groceries and transport vouchers healthcare and essential medicines referrals to other support services that might be able to help you social and community activities to help connect you with other people in your community.
Where you can get help Our services may differ in each state and territory. You should first contact the office closest to you to get in touch with our teams who can help assess how we might be able to help you. When calling ask for the migration support program.
Emergency relief support for people on temporary visas
- not Australian citizens or permanent residents
- are not eligible for Commonwealth Government income support
- are not eligible for State or Territory funds for temporary visa holders (except those delivered by Value Care)
- have no income or very limited income, have no or very limited savings and no access to other support from a partner, family or the community
- What is emergency relief? Emergency relief is to help people meet their basic needs, like food, medicine or shelter. Value Care may be able to support people who are on temporary visas with an emergency relief payment. Emergency relief payments are not income support. They are limited and we know may not meet all needs that you have. Receiving financial assistance from Value Care will not affect your current or any future visas. The information you provide in your online application is sent to a Value Care portal. It is not a government database or system.
- Who is this service for? The support is available to people in Australia with urgent needs who: are not Australian citizens or permanent residents; and have a need, such as a utility bill or medical expenses, and are unable to meet that need.
- How do I apply?At times of high demand, it may take several weeks for your application to be processed. The current processing time is up to 2 weeks. Before you start your application you will need: Evidence of your current or most recent visa such as your passport number or immi card number. If you are uncertain or do not have a valid visa right now, you can still apply and we will contact you to discuss your application further.
You can log into your application after it has been submitted to check its progress. At times of high demand, it may take several weeks for your application to be processed. The current processing time is up to 2 weeks. We will contact you if we require further information. If you need support to complete your application, you can download a step-by-step guide. To protect everyone’s safety during COVID-19, please only come to a Value Care office if absolutely necessary. Please follow all public health directions at Value Care offices including the use of hand sanitiser and wearing a mask if required. If you are having trouble applying, email us. Please do not send any documents via email.
I need help now
If your health or safety is under threat now, please call 000. If you are an international student, please contact your institution regarding any additional support they may have available. If you are a tourist, on a working holiday visa or someone wanting to return to your home country, please contact your embassy or consulate to understand the support they can provide in the first instance. If you can access your savings, or support from home, please do so. If you need information about your visa, extensions, travel and other matters, the Home Affairs COVID-19 and the Border and Staying in Australia webpages have detailed information for temporary visa holders.
Additional resources that may be helpful
Services Australia (Centrelink) website with COVID-19 services in language Status Resolution Support Service (for people who have applied for a protection visa)
State and territory resources
Australian Capital Territory New South Wales Northern Territory Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia
Department of Social Services emergency relief providers
Australian Capital Territory New South Wales Northern Territory Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia
Working in Australia
All workers in Australia have the same rights at work, regardless of where you come from or what visa you have. Your employer must: Pay you correctly for all time worked Provide a safe workplace Allowing you to join a union Value Care provides support for people who have been affected by labour exploitation, domestic servitude, forced labour, and modern slavery through its Support for Trafficked People’s Program. More information about the program and these issues (in a range of languages) is available here.