Welcome to Your New Home in Australia

 You may receive help if you arrived in Australia under:

• Refugee visas (Subclass 200, 201, 203, 204)
   
• Global Special Humanitarian visa (Subclass 202)
   
• Permanent Protection visa (Subclass 866)
   
• Some services are also available to temporary humanitarian visa holders, such as those on bridging visas or Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEV).

Refugees and humanitarian entrants in Australia may receive:

• 🏠 Help finding housing and temporary accommodation
   
• 🗂️ Assistance with Centrelink, Medicare, and banking
   
• 🏫 Enrollment in schools, English classes (AMEP), and job training
   
• 🏥 Support accessing healthcare services
   
• 🤝 Community connections and orientation
   
• 📑 Help understanding Australian laws and culture

1. Arrival Support
    
   • Transport from the airport
      
   • Temporary housing
      
   • Connection with local support workers
      

1. Initial Settlement (First 12–18 months)
    
   • Help with daily life, employment, language, and healthcare
      

1. Long-Term Integration
    
   • Community support groups
      
   • Mental health and trauma counselling
      
   • Volunteer opportunities and mentoring

 With a Medicare card, you may get:

• Free or low-cost visits to GPs (family doctors)
   
• Treatment in public hospitals
   
• Free or discounted diagnostic tests (X-rays, blood tests, etc.)
   
• Subsidised prescription medicines through the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme)
   
• Mental health support, pregnancy care, and more
   

You may be eligible for Medicare if you are:

• Australian permanent residents
   
• Refugees and humanitarian visa holders (e.g. Subclass 200–204, 866)
   
• Temporary residents from countries with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (e.g., UK, NZ, Italy, Sweden)
   

• Some skilled workers or temporary visa holders may be eligible after 6–12 months
   
• People on certain bridging visas may qualify for limited access or none
   

 AMEP is a government-funded program that provides:

• Up to 510 hours or more of free English lessons
   
• Full-time or part-time study
   
• In-person and online options
   
• Free childcare while you study (in many locations)
   
• Flexible learning based on your goals (daily life, job skills, study prep)
   

You may be eligible for AMEP if you are:

• A permanent resident
   
• A refugee or humanitarian visa holder
   
• A temporary visa holder with family or partner visas
   
• A youth between 15 and 17 who needs English to enter school
   

✅ There is no limit on hours if you registered after October 1, 2020
✅ You must start AMEP within 6 months of arriving (or within 12 months of visa grant)

• Employment Pathways: Job-seeking skills and resume writing
   
• Settlement support: Learn how to access healthcare, housing, and services
   
• Cultural Orientation: Understand Australian rights, laws, and daily life
   
• Childcare: Many centers offer free childcare during class

 You may be eligible for housing help if you are:

• A refugee or humanitarian entrant
   
• A permanent resident or asylum seeker
   
• A new migrant on a partner, family, or work visa facing hardship
   

Some services are also available to temporary visa holders and people waiting for visa decisions.

• 🏨 Short-term or transitional accommodation after arrival
   
• 🏠 Assistance finding private rental housing
   
• 📑 Help understanding lease agreements and tenant rights
   
• 💰 Emergency rent support or bond loans
   
• 🤝 Referrals to long-term public or community housing

Each state and territory has its own public housing and emergency housing systems. Contact your local:

• Housing department
   
• Multicultural service
   
• Refugee support organization
   

✅ Use this tool to find local services: Click Here