Welcoming Refugees to Victoria: The Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy

What is IHSS?

• National settlement program funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
• AMES Settlement and its consortium partners are contracted to deliver the program in Victoria from 1 October, 2005.
• 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.
• Provides support and assistance to clients to rebuild their lives through integrated services and linkages to appropriate government and non-government services.
• Emphasis placed on sensitivity to cultural difference.

Who are IHSS clients?

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

IHSS Services

• On-Arrival Reception & Assistance and Accommodation Services: Refugees are met at the airport, taken to safe, secure and suitable longer term accommodation, provided with sufficient information and assistance, including emergency assistance, to be able to function in their new environment. SHP Entrants will normally be met by their proposer and provided with initial accommodation and emergency assistance.
• Case Coordination, Information and Referral: Each Client will be assigned to a case coordinator who will make a comprehensive assessment of the needs of the entrant family; develop and implement a tailored case plan. Community guides with similar language and cultural backgrounds will provide practical assistance and support to each refugee family e.g accompanying entrants to appointments, orienting them to local community, public transport, etc. Volunteers may be appointed when required to assist the SHPs where a proposer is not able to provide support.
• Short-Term Torture and Trauma Counselling Services: All Entrants are eligible for an assessment of psychological health and interventions that are consistent with their cultural backgrounds.

Fast Facts

• In 2005/2006, the service assisted approximately 3,600 individuals, equating to roughly 1,100 households.
• Arrivals by Nationality 2004/2005:: Sudanese 60%, Iraqi 12%, Liberian 5.5%, Burmese 4.5%, Ethiopian 4.5%, Afghan 4%, Iranian 3%, Burundi 2%, Former Yugoslavia 1.5%, Others 3%.