Settlement
A Helping
HAND
Tips for refugees as they find their way in Australia
By Andrew Knox- Kaniki , African Professionals of Australia Ltd ( APA ) WA President
MOST MIGRANTS ARRIVING IN AUSTRALIA have made the choice to move here . In contrast , refugees are fleeing war , violence and persecution , and many arrive with few material possessions . Australia accepts a refugee intake each year and is planning to resettle 12,000 refugees from war-affected countries such as Syria and Iraq in 2016 . With this in mind , I have compiled a list of tips and advice for newly arrived refugees to Australia .
Once in Australia , the government provides basic needs to refugees through various settlement agencies located across all states and territories . Regardless of a refugee ’ s country of origin or method of arrival , what he or she needs to integrate into society would be the same . This includes :
• Seeking help or information when needed
• Building a support network of new friends
• Learning English
• Learning about their new country
A refugee arriving in Australia should consider doing the following within the first three months of their arrival in order to ease their integration process into the community .
1 . Visit organisations within their local community to learn about the services they provide , such as English language training or counselling
2 . Begin the application process for important documents , including :
• applying for government healthcare - Medicare
• applying for a tax file number
3 . Open a bank account with any banking institution close to their home
4 . Explore their city to learn about the transportation options available
5 . Access translation services and begin learning or improving their English
6 . Research organisations such as Job Safety Australia ( JSA ) in their local community to assist with adapting their resume to an Australian format
7 . Learn about housing options and how to search for a place to rent
8 . If they have kids , register their children in a neighbourhood public school
9 . Learn about Australian laws and values , as well as their rights and civic responsibilities as a resident of Australia
10 . Find a doctor or a healthcare centre where they can go for their medical needs
11 . Memorise the emergency telephone number , triple zero ( 000 ), in case they are in need of emergency assistance
24 www . smpmagazine . com . au | Spring 2016