Refugee-specific support services provide extra support for refugees and people seeking asylum living in NSW. These services help with settlement, health, employment, English language learning and legal issues. Some programs are only available to people with certain visa types, so check with the service before applying.
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Settlement services
These programs provide settlement support for refugees and humanitarian entrants, helping with housing, education, employment, community connections and navigating services in Australia.
Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP)
Read information about the Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP), which supports humanitarian entrants and other eligible visa holders to integrate into Australian life by building skills and knowledge they need to become self-reliant and active members of the community.
Specialised Intensive Services (SIS)
Read information about Specialised and Intensive Services (SIS), which is a component of the Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) available to humanitarian entrants and other eligible visa holders who have complex needs. SIS offer clients short term needs-based support to help them access appropriate mainstream services and develop the necessary skills to manage their needs independently.
Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) program
Read information about the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) Program which aims to equip and empower humanitarian entrants, other eligible permanent migrants (excluding Australian citizens) and their communities to address their settlement needs.
Youth Transition Support (YTS) services
Read information about Youth Transition Support (YTS) services, which help young humanitarian entrants and eligible migrants aged 15 to 25 to take part in work and education, strengthen vocational skills and build social connections and confidence through sporting programs.
Community Support Program (CSP) providers list
Read information about Community Support Program (CSP) service providers here.
Immigration Status Resolution Support Service
Read information about this program that provides needs-based support to eligible non-citizens who are unable to support themselves and can demonstrate hardship.
Health and wellbeing services
These services provide specialised health and mental health support for refugees, including trauma counselling, refugee health clinics and culturally appropriate wellbeing services.
NSW Refugee Health Service (NSW RHS)
Learn about the NSW Refugee Health Service which provides a range of clinical services and medical assessments for recently arrived refugees and asylum seekers.
Transcultural Mental Health Centre
Read information about the Transcultural Mental Health Centre (TMHC), which works with health professionals and communities across NSW to support positive mental health for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Mental Health Community Living Supports for Refugees
Read information about Mental Health Community Living Supports for Refugees (MH-CLSR), which provides support for refugees and asylum seekers with mental health issues to live and participate in the community.
Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick Refugee Health Service
Read information about the refugee child health clinic at Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick, which provides assessments for newly arrived refugee children and families.
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Health Assessment for Refugee Kids (HARK) Clinic
Read information about the HARK clinic (Health Assessment for Refugee Kids) at the Sydney Children's Hospital Westmead, which provides assessment for newly arrived refugee children and families.
Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS)
Read information about Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS), an organisation that assists thousands of people every year heal from the scars of torture and refugee trauma, and rebuild their lives in Australia.
Employment services
These programs help refugees and people seeking asylum prepare for work in Australia through job readiness training, mentoring, internships, starting a business and employment pathways.
Asylum Seeker Employment Skills Support (ASESS) program
Read information about employment programs for asylum seekers.
Thrive Refugee Enterprise
Read information about Thrive Refugee Enterprise which assist men and women refugees and migrants to rebuild their lives through work, either by owning a small business or gaining employment.
Employment assistance (Jesuit Refugee Service)
Read information about employment assistance provided by the Jesuit Refugee Service.
CareerSeekers
Use the CareerSeekers website to find employment opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers.
Employment pathways for refugees
Read information about employment pathways for refugees.
NSW Public Sector Apprentices and Trainees program
Read information about the NSW Public Sector Apprentices and Trainees Program, which employs apprentices and trainees across NSW Government agencies and State Owned Corporations.
Smart and Skilled program
Read information about the Smart and Skilled program, which offers subsidised training for selected courses for students.
Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program
Read information about the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program, which offers free language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills training to eligible Australians.
Inclusive Employment Australia
Read information about the Inclusive Employment Australia service, which offers employment support for refugees living with injury, illness or disability.
NSW Government Future Women Jobs Academy
Read information about the Future Women Jobs Academy program.
Dress for Success
Read information about Dress for Success, a not-for-profit, volunteer-powered organisation that helps women to thrive in work and in life.
Language support services
These services help refugees learn English and access interpreters and translation support to communicate with government services, health providers and other organisations.
Free translating service (Translating and Interpreting Service)
Read information about free translation services available through Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS).
Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)
Read information about the AMEP, which is a free service that helps eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants improve their English language skills and settle in Australia.
Intensive English Centres (IEC)
Listen to information about Intensive English Centres in NSW public high schools.
Legal and community services
These services provide legal advice, community programs and specialised support for refugees building their lives in Australia.
Refugee Service (Legal Aid NSW)
Read information about the Legal Aid NSW Refugee Service, which helps newly arrived refugees with civil (including immigration) law and family law legal problems.
Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS)
Read information about how this organisation, which provides trauma-informed legal help to refugees and people seeking asylum, including people of all nationalities, religions and gender identities.
Families in Cultural Transition (FICT) program
Read information and watch videos about the Families in Cultural Transition (FICT) program, which helps people settle into new communities through education and information about the Australian way of life.
Community Hubs Australia
Read information about Community Hubs Australia and find a Hub in your area.
Walk on Walk Strong LGBTQIA+ Project
Read information about the Walk on Walk Strong project, which provides peer-led support groups run by people with lived experience.
See all non-government and community organisations
Find a full list of organisations that support refugees across NSW.
Start here