By Dhabessa Wakjira

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA – The decision to leave one’s homeland is never easy. For many Oromo people, it has meant fleeing persecution, violence, and the impossible choice between staying and surviving . Arriving in Australia as an asylum seeker brings a new set of challenges—unfamiliar systems, language barriers, and the uncertainty of your legal status .

But you are not alone.

In Victoria, a range of services are specifically designed to support asylum seekers. From community organisations that speak your language to government programs that offer training and legal assistance, help is available at every step of your journey .

The First Step: Connecting with Your Community

For Oromo asylum seekers, the most important first step is often connecting with community organisations that understand your culture, language, and lived experience .

The Oromo Community in Melbourne Inc. (OCM)

Established specifically to support the Oromo diaspora in Victoria, OCM provides refugee settlement support—assisting new Oromo refugees with housing, healthcare, and employment . They work in partnership with organisations like the Migrant Resource Centre and the Department of Immigration to address the unique challenges Oromo refugees face .

For many, OCM is the first point of contact. It offers a safe space to celebrate Oromo culture, history, and language without fear of persecution .

Advocacy for Oromia Association (A4O)

Since 2014, A4O has been dedicated to supporting and empowering disadvantaged Oromo individuals and families in Victoria . Their mission is to ensure that the voices of the Oromo community are heard by relevant authorities .

What A4O offers :

• Free, independent advocacy to help you resolve issues related to housing, healthcare, employment, and legal matters
• Settlement assistance including orientation programs and access to essential services
• Culturally sensitive support designed to help refugees integrate into Australian society
• Information about your civil and human rights

The Australian Oromo Community Association in Victoria (AOCAV)

Established in 1984, AOCAV is another key non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting, uniting, and empowering Oromo people residing in Australia . It provides vital resources and support for new arrivals, assisting them with settlement, education, and employment to ensure a smooth transition into Australian society . AOCAV also advocates for the rights and interests of the Oromo community at local, state, and national levels, serving as a bridge between the Oromo community and the wider Australian community .

Legal Assistance: Navigating the Visa Process

For asylum seekers, legal status is often the most pressing concern. Victoria offers a comprehensive network of legal support.

Victoria Legal Aid (VLA)

VLA provides free legal assistance for asylum seekers, including representation before the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) for protection visa appeals . The new ART—established in October 2024—has replaced the former Immigration Assessment Authority and now gives all asylum seekers the right to a full merits review of their cases .

Key support from VLA :

• Legal representation for protection visa appeals
• Assistance with judicial review in Federal courts
• Trauma-informed legal services that understand the experiences of asylum seekers

Data shows that asylum seekers who are legally represented are seven times more likely to receive a positive outcome at the Tribunal . In 90 per cent of VLA’s protection visa matters, they saw positive outcomes including decisions being overturned .

Contact VLA :

• Legal Help phoneline: 1300 792 387 (Monday to Friday, 8 am–6 pm)
• Protection visa assistance email: PVAssistance@vla.vic.gov.au
• You can ask for an interpreter

Refugee Legal

Refugee Legal is a community legal centre that has specialised in refugee and immigration law for over 28 years . They provide free legal advice and representation to asylum seekers, refugees, and disadvantaged migrants in the community and in immigration detention . They assisted more than 12,500 people last year alone .

Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS)

The SRSS program provides support to people living in Australia while their protection visa application is being processed . This includes financial assistance and support services through providers like Settlement Services International (SSI) and Life Without Barriers .

Healthcare: Accessing Medical Support

Accessing healthcare as an asylum seeker can be complex, but Victoria has specialised services to meet your needs.

Refugee Health Services

• The Royal Melbourne Hospital – Refugee Health: Provides specialist care for adult immigrants and refugees, including those who are not eligible for Medicare
• Monash Health – Refugee Health and Wellbeing: Provides comprehensive primary care together with tertiary services including infectious diseases, paediatrics, and psychiatry
• The Royal Children’s Hospital – Immigrant Health Service: Offers free specialist care for children and young people who arrived as refugees, including those without Medicare

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) – Health Service

The ASRC offers casework, counselling, and general access to wider support programs . It is one of the most comprehensive support organisations for asylum seekers in Victoria .

Specialised Mental Health Support

Foundation House provides specialised counselling for torture and trauma, including individual and family support, group programs, and complementary therapies . They operate across six metro sites and in partnership with agencies in regional Victoria . The Victorian Government continues to support Foundation House to deliver these trauma-informed programs .

Education and Training: Building Skills for the Future

Victoria offers subsidised training programs for asylum seekers to help them build new careers and contribute to their new communities .

Asylum Seeker VET Program

The Victorian Government has invested $3 million to extend the Asylum Seeker VET program, which provides access to vocational training for refugees and asylum seekers .

Popular courses include :

• Childcare
• Community and disability services
• Nursing and allied health

Since 2024, more than 950 asylum seekers have been supported to study at TAFE through this program . The program is delivered in partnership with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), which provides wraparound support and follow-up services .

Reconnect Program

The Reconnect program supports people who are not engaged in education, employment, or training—including asylum seekers . With $48 million in funding extended for another four years, the program provides one-on-one wraparound support including :

• Counselling and mentoring
• Housing support
• Education opportunities
• Health and wellbeing services
• Foundation and employability skills

Since 2016, the program has helped thousands of people move into further study, training, or employment .

AMES Australia

AMES Australia provides settlement services to refugees, including meeting new arrivals at the airport, providing safe and secure accommodation, and offering English and vocational courses . In the 2024-25 financial year, AMES helped more than 1,500 migrants and refugees find sustainable employment and supported more than 200 refugees to start their own businesses .

Government Support and Commitment

Victoria welcomes between 4,000 and 6,000 refugees every year . The Victorian Government has committed over $20 million in programs through the 2025–26 budget to support refugee communities . This includes $3.6 million over two years to support regional organisations to deliver settlement supports and $7.6 million to protect vulnerable workers, along with over $56 million through the education portfolio for English as an additional language classes .

Practical Steps for Oromo Asylum Seekers in Victoria

1. Reach out to your community – Contact OCM, A4O, or AOCAV. They understand your culture and can guide you through your first steps.
2. Seek legal advice – Contact Victoria Legal Aid or Refugee Legal if your protection visa has been refused or you need legal representation.
3. Access healthcare – Visit one of Victoria’s specialised refugee health services, including The Royal Melbourne Hospital – Refugee Health or the ASRC Health Service.
4. Explore education and training – Ask about the Asylum Seeker VET program or AMES Australia courses to build skills and start a career in Victoria.
5. Consider mental health support – Foundation House provides specialised counselling for torture and trauma, free of charge.

Key Contacts

Sources: Advocacy for Oromia, Victoria Legal Aid, Refugee Legal, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Foundation House, AMES Australia, Parliament of Victoria.

Disclaimer: This article provides a general guide only. Readers should not act on the basis of any material without getting legal advice about their own particular situations .

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