Your Guide to Asylum Seeker Support in NSW: Where to Go and What to Do
If you or someone you know is an Oromo asylum seeker in New South Wales, a network of support is available—from legal advice to healthcare, employment training, and community connections. Here is what you need to know.
The First Step: Legal Advice and Your Asylum Application
When you arrive in Australia as an asylum seeker, your immigration status is the most urgent concern. Your legal rights, your ability to work, and your access to many services depend on the type of visa you hold or have applied for.
Legal Aid NSW provides free, independent legal advice about refugee law and immigration matters . They can assist with protection visa refusals, visa cancellations, Federal Court matters, and in some cases, help you lodge your protection visa application .
To start: Contact LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 (9am–5pm, Monday–Friday). They can connect you with the Legal Aid NSW Immigration Service .
Other free specialist legal services in NSW include:
- Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS): 02 8355 7227
- Refugee Legal: Provides free specialist legal services across Australia
Finding Your Community: Settlement Support
Connecting with community-based organisations can help you navigate the complex settlement process and access practical support.
Settlement Services International (SSI) is a not-for-profit organisation that provides a range of services for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants across NSW . They deliver culturally responsive services tailored to the unique needs of communities .
SSI offers:
- Settlement support and case management
- Employment assistance through the Asylum Seeker Employment Skills Support (ASESS) program
- Help accessing mainstream services, including education and employment
Contact SSI: 02 8799 6700 | info@ssi.org.au | http://www.ssi.org.au
Offices: Ashfield, Liverpool, and Fairfield
Other designated agencies for asylum seekers in NSW include:
| Agency | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Asylum Seekers Centre | Newtown (43 Bedford Street) | (02) 9078 1900 |
| Australian Red Cross | Sydney (Level 3, 464 Kent Street) | (02) 9229 4266 |
| Jesuit Refugee Service | Parramatta & Kings Cross | (02) 9098 9336 |
| House of Welcome | Carramar (140 Wattle Avenue) | (02) 9727 9290 |
Employment and Training: Building a New Career
Finding sustainable employment is essential for rebuilding your life. The Asylum Seeker Employment Skills Support (ASESS) program, funded by the NSW Government and delivered by SSI, is specifically designed to help asylum seekers gain long-term skilled employment .
ASESS offers practical support including:
- Help finding sustainable and skilled employment
- English language training
- Fee-free training courses up to Certificate IV level
- Mentoring and work readiness support
- Recognition of overseas skills and qualifications
- Work experience placements
Eligibility: You may be eligible if you are aged 16–66, based in NSW, unemployed or underemployed, and hold a valid visa with work and/or study rights .
To register: Contact SSI or email TSNSW.ASESS@det.nsw.edu.au
A real-life example: Andrey Vorontsov, an asylum seeker from Ukraine, arrived in Australia with nothing. Through SSI’s support and the ASESS program, he gained recognition of his qualifications, found work as a National Performance Lead Wrestling coach, and travelled to the Paris Olympics with the Australian team .
Healthcare: Accessing Medical Support
As an asylum seeker, accessing healthcare can be complex, especially if you have limited Medicare eligibility. However, NSW has a robust network of specialised services for people from refugee backgrounds .
The Asylum Seekers Centre Health Clinic in Newtown provides primary healthcare services for people seeking asylum with limited Medicare eligibility . It runs four GP clinics per week, with volunteer GPs and specialists providing free or low-cost care .
Services include: Primary care, mental health support, and access to pharmaceuticals for those without access to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) .
NSW Health also provides specialised refugee health services, including:
- NSW Refugee Health Service: Conducts on-arrival health assessments and connects people to appropriate care
- STARTTS (NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors): Provides counselling and community engagement to people who have experienced torture, war, or violence before coming to Australia . Since 1988, STARTTS has assisted over 93,000 people from around 180 countries . They have outreach locations across Sydney and regional NSW, including Auburn, Blacktown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, and Wollongong .
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Many asylum seekers have experienced trauma and face significant stress during the settlement process. Specialised mental health support is available:
- STARTTS: Free counselling and trauma support
- Mental Health Community Living Supports for Refugees Program: Provides additional support for those with complex mental health needs
What to Do: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Seek legal advice immediately. Contact LawAccess NSW (1300 888 529) or RACS (02 8355 7227) for free advice on your visa status and protection visa application .
- Register with a designated agency. Contact SSI or the Asylum Seekers Centre to access settlement support, case management, and connections to services .
- Explore employment and training. If you are eligible, register for the ASESS program through SSI to access fee-free training, language support, and employment assistance .
- Access healthcare. Visit the Asylum Seekers Centre Health Clinic in Newtown or contact the NSW Refugee Health Service for a health assessment . If you have experienced trauma, contact STARTTS for free counselling .
- Connect with your community. Reach out to Oromo community organisations and cultural networks in NSW. They can provide valuable support, information, and a sense of belonging.
A Message of Hope
Seeking asylum is a journey of courage. You have already taken the most difficult step by seeking safety. In NSW, you are not alone—a network of legal experts, healthcare providers, community organisations, and support services is ready to help you rebuild your life with dignity.
As one asylum seeker from Ukraine shared: “I felt safe because I knew we were not alone, and that was the biggest part of that support—when you know someone is behind you” .
You are not alone. Help is available. And your new life in Australia is beginning.
For more information, visit http://www.ssi.org.au or call 02 8799 6700.
Advocacy for Oromia 