Support services

Migrants, international students, refugees and asylum seekers can access a range of multicultural services in Victoria.

Links to external websites providing assistance

Centre for multicultural youth (Victoria)

The Centre for multicultural youth works with young people and their families to address problems of isolation, family conflict and homelessness. It also seeks to overcome income, health, education, training and employment barriers. Their services include counselling, group work, information and supported referrals.

Centre for Multicultural Youth (Victoria) website

Multicultural resource centre (Victoria)

The Multicultural resource centre provides independent advice to the Victorian Government to inform the development of legislative and policy frameworks as well as the delivery of services to our culturally, linguistically and religiously diverse society.

Multicultural Resource Centre (Victoria) website 

Spectrum (Victoria)

Spectrum migrant resource centre (SMRC) is a one-stop-shop catering for the needs of newly arrived and established migrants and refugees.

Spectrum (Victoria) website

Migrant information centre (Eastern Melbourne)

Migrant information centre (Eastern Melbourne) (MIC) provides a range of services for migrants and refugees living in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Their services are available to people living in the local government areas of Boroondara, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges. Their services are free and confidential.

Migrant Information Centre (East Melbourne) website

Migrant resource centre (Southern Region)

Empowers and assists people who are migrants and refugees in Melbourne’s south east to establish themselves and achieve their aspirations.

Migrant Resource Centre (Southern Region) website

Adult migrant education service (AMES) (Australia)

AMES provides settlement services to refugees. AMES workers meet refugees at the airport and provide them with safe and secure accommodation. They also offer English and vocational courses.

Adult Migrant Education Services website

New hope foundation (Victoria)

Supports migrants and refugees to realise their hope of a new life in their new country.

New Hope Foundation (Victoria) website

Department of Home Affairs (Federal)

For people who want to visit, work, study or live in Australia. Includes details of Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Program. Includes information for employers about sponsoring skilled people to work in Australia.

Department of Home Affairs (Federal) website

Refugee council of Australia

The Refugee council of Australia (RCOA) is the national umbrella body for refugees and the organisations and individuals who support them.

Refugee Council of Australia website

The Victorian foundation for survivors of torture

The Victorian foundation for survivors of torture (VFST), or 'Foundation House' as it is also known, provides a range of services to people from refugee backgrounds whom have survived torture or war related trauma.

The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture website

United Nations Refugee Agency (Regional)

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is an impartial, non-political humanitarian organisation mandated by the United Nations to lead and co-ordinate international action for the world-wide protection of refugees and the resolution of refugee problems.

United Nations Refugee Agency (Regional) website

Kids helpline – 1800 55 1800

Kids helpline is Australia's only free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.

Lifeline – 13 11 14

Lifeline connects people with care by providing services in suicide prevention, crisis support and mental health support.

Beyond Blue – the National Depression Initiative

Australian organisation provides information about depression to consumers, carers and health professionals.

Beyond Blue - the National Depression Initiative website

Headspace - Australia's National Youth Mental Health Foundation

Headspace helps young people who are going through a tough time, helping thousands of young people to get their lives back on track. They can help you with general health, mental health and counselling, education, employment and other services, alcohol and other drug services.

Centre Headspace - Australia's National Youth Mental Health Foundation website

Cultura- Geelong ethnic communities council

It is a not-for-profit community service group with a core set of services and business operations that support the multicultural communities and the disadvantaged in the region. Cultura commenced operation in Geelong in 1976 and was known as the Geelong migrant resource centre, which later changed its name to Geelong ethnic communities council, Diversitat, and now trades as Cultura.

Cultura website

Familycare

Starting from a small Family support service with an emphasis on household management, Goulburn Valley Family Care Inc. has gone on to develop programs that offer services to families to assist them to better care for and maintain their children in their own home.

Familycare website

Meli

Meli provides services and programs that can help you, your family or friends. Our services are delivered in the Barwon South West Region, from Lara to Lorne and throughout the western district, reaching to the South Australian border.

Meli website

Child and family services (CAFS) Ballarat

Child and family services Ballarat (CAFS) is a community service organisation that provides a range of programs and services to children, young people and families who are vulnerable or in need of support.

CAFS website

Mallee family care

Mallee family care provides assistance to families and community in guiding and supporting them into more fullfilling and meaningful lives, in turn benefitting the community as a whole.

Mallee Family Care website