Settling in Australia

The Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (IHSS) is a national settlement program funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). AMES Settlement and its consortium partners have been delivering the program in Victoria from 1 October 2005.

IHSS provides intensive settlement assistance to people from refugee and humanitarian backgrounds during their initial period of settlement, generally for the first six months after arrival in Australia.

The program supports clients to rebuild their lives through integrated services and linkages to appropriate government and non-government services. Emphasis is placed on sensitivity to cultural difference, empowering clients by assistance given in their first language.

Who are our clients?

IHSS assistance is provided to clients once their needs are assessed. IHSS has two main groups of clients: Refugees (refugees are holders of sub-class 200, 201, 203 and 204 visas), and Special Humanitarian Program clients (SHP or holders of 202 visas) and their Proposers.

• IHSS Statistics for 1st Quarter 2009
• IHSS Statistics for 2nd Quarter 2009
• IHSS Statistics for 3rd Quarter 2009
• IHSS Statistics for 4th Quarter 2009
  

Fast Facts

Since 1 October 2005, AMES IHSS Consortium has provided settlement services to all Humanitarian Entrants arriving in Victoria. The average yearly intake is over 3,500 entrants. The arrivals have included entrants from the following countries: