WELCOMING REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS INTO YOUR COMMUNITY Image by Takver via Flickr

LOCAL SERVICES RED CROSS ACT & SE NSW Wenda Donaldson Migrant & Refugee Settlement Services (MARSS) ACT & NSW Dewani Bakkum Queanbeyan Multicultural/Multilingual Centre (QMLC) Queanbeyan, Goulburn, Cooma, Bega John Gunn

LOCAL SERVICES - SE NSW Migrant & Refugee Settlement Services (MARSS) Refugee & Migrant Settlement Service (6-12mths) Queanbeyan Multicultural/Multilingual Centre (QMLC) Queanbeyan, Goulburn, Cooma, Bega Refugee & Migrant Settlement Service (1-5yrs) RED CROSS Status Resolution Support Services (Services supporting people seeking asylum)

SETTING THE SCENE 59.5m refugees & displaced people in the world (estimate) 1.59m refugees in Turkey (2014) 13,750 refugee intake ( ) 12,000 Syrian refugees (2015) 30,000people seeking asylum in Australia 2,780 asylum seekers granted refugees status (2014) 214 asylum seekers in the ACT (2015) Top five countries refugees resettled to Australia Afghanistan, Myanmar, Iraq, Bhutan, Syria.

REFUGEE a person who has fled persecution sought protection in another country has been granted refugee status. A person who has left their country of origin Seeking protection/asylum in another country could have arrived by boat or air visa status remains unresolved. ASYLUM SEEKER

REFUGEES People who arrive by boat or by air With Visa = Resolved Status People who arrive as part of UNHCR system and have been processed offshore. eg. Syrian refugees People who arrive by air who have been processed onshore with positive outcome ASYLUM SEEKERS No Visa = Unresolved Status

REFUGEES - What services are available?

Financial assistance Arrival, reception, assistance Orientation, information, training Finding/induction accommodation – short/long term Start up food & household goods Medicare, Centrelink, bank, schools, AMEP Links with community, recreational programs Help with transport Case management plans REFUGEES – ON ARRIVAL MARSS (ACT/SE NSW) (6-12mths)

Financial assistance accommodation education employment access to health services relationship support community participation REFUGEES LONGER-TERM SERVICES MARSS (SE NSW) (6-12mths) Queanbeyan Multicultural Centre (SE NSW) incl Goulburn, Cooma & Sth Coast (1-5yrs)

Criteria Refugees from Syria Syrian Refugees in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan Registered under UNHCR Priorities will be given to the “most vulnerable” – likely to include families, children & young people. Current settlement arrangements will be the foundation for the response and the other services can be built around this Only 26 anticipated to arrive before end of year. MARSS will provide initial support in the SE NSW region (6-12mths) QMLC will provide ongoing support (1-5yrs). 12,000 Syrian Refugees Intake

How can you help? NSW Government NSW Government has appointed a Coordinator General for Refugee Resettlement –Peter Shergold - You can register your interest in helping with the NSW Government MARSS MARSS will coordinate the placement of all refugees for the ACT & SE NSW region. All clients will initially be placed in ACT on short term accommodation. Through discussions with client, longer term arrangements will be identified, which may include moving to a regional area. Volunteer support & long term affordable accommodation options are the two key supports sought by MARSS Contact: Sandra Elhelw or

ASYLUM SEEKERS - What services are available? - What Visa pathways do they have?

Australian Red Cross Marist Youth Care Settlement Services InternationalLife Without Barriers Financial assistance case work/case management support access to English lessons for all adults accommodation schooling for school-aged children access to health care financial support ASYLUM SEEKERS - AVAILABLE SERVICES

ASYLUM SEEKERS - POSSIBLE PATHWAYS For the vast majority who arrive by BOAT, if claims successful: Temporary Protection Visas (TPV) – granted for 3 years Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEV) – granted for 5 years not eligible for Permanent Protection Visa For those people who arrive by AIR, if claims successful: eligible to apply for a protection visa from a protection visa they can apply for permanent residency

TPV vs SHEV (ima.border.gov.au) FeatureTPVSHEV Access to Case Management Support No Duration Up to 3yrs5yrs Intention to work and/or study in Regional Australia X ✓ Permanent visa pathway after meeting certain work and study requirements in regional Australia X ✓ Permission to work ✓✓ Access to Medicare ✓✓ Access to social security benefits ✓✓ Travel outside of Australia where it is approved in compassionate or compelling circumstances (except to the country from which you sought protection). ✓✓

SHEV - SHEVs are the only possible pathway to a long term or substantive visa - Current eligible regions in Australia to settle SHEV holders NSW (except Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong) Tasmania Other states still to be determined

WHAT’S THE DEMAND? Immediately - Creating a welcoming community - Developing a Whole of Community Plan Next 12 months - Community Plan - Syrian refugees (MARSS support for 6-12 months) - SHEV holders (no coordinated case work support, reliant on mainstream supports) Ongoing Community Plan Syrian refugees (QMLC support 1-5yrs) SHEV holders (no coordinated case work support, reliant on mainstream supports)

BUILDING COMMUNITY SUPPORT Public awareness & promotion of respect for diversity non-violence social cohesion fostering integration into the local community. What can you do?

Relocation – assist in finding accommodation, travel to the region, setting up household Familiarity with local community – where to find shops, schools, Centrelink, etc. Employment – assistance in seeking & sustain employment Friendship – support groups, faith-based groups Material Assistance Social Cohesion – educating the local community on the plight of asylum seekers & refugees Be an ambassador for your community and offer friendship and support Examples of how this could be done: Homework clubs, orientation to the town/region English language conversation sessions Welcome events with music, food and activities Slide 19 How can you help?

THANK YOU & QUESTIONS For more information on asylum seekers please contact Red Cross on (02) or For more information on refugees, please contact John Gunn on