AMES Australia - Humanitarian Settlement Program
From October 2017, AMES Australia began delivering the Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP).
The AMES Australia HSP Service Delivery Network is made up of a number of organisations that provide Government funded support to refugees and humanitarian entrants.
As the HSP provider, AMES Australia focuses on creating strong partnerships to deliver the HSP program across Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania.
New Arrivals
AMES HSP team will provide arrival confirmation to Services Australia. A case manager will complete the Notification of Refugee Arrival form (SS459) and send this to Services Australia. This form confirms details of the new arrival.
AMES HSP will also send
Claim for Persons granted a Refugee, Humanitarian or Protection Visa form (SS415)
Medicare enrolment form (MS004).
ID documents (for all family members).
Bank details
Other relevant documentation or information (e.g. special needs).
Through Services Australia, client will then:
Create individual records.
Process income support claims.
Apply for a tax file number (TFN).
Process Medicare enrolment.
This generally occurs within 3 days of a new arrival to Australia.
The Multicultural Services Officers (MSO) team will receive a list of clients on income support from AMES.
Case Management Services
The AMES Australia Case Management model consists of a number of sub-services. Depending on client needs, AMES Australia Settlement can draw on any of the following:
Needs Assessment (Pre and Post Arrival) and a Case Management Plan
Every client is assigned a Case Manager who does a needs assessment, then develops and implements a tailored case plan in collaboration with the new arrival. A strength-based approach is used to build on a client's existing strengths to develop a settlement program that will have the greatest impact.
The Case Manager also draws together a Care Team including the client, case manager, housing coordinator, and volunteer or proposer. Other members of the AMES Australia HSP consortium or other service providers may be brought in depending on the services required for each case. For example, an AMES Australia Refugee Health Nurse might be called upon for specialist advice and support.
Client Support Workers and Orientation Guides
AMES Australia’s Client Support Workers and Orientation Guides provide settlement support in the client’s own language, are from the same cultural background and often share the common experience of having a refugee history. Their work shows how refugees themselves can influence service delivery.
On Arrival Logistical Needs
Clients are met at the airport and transported to initial accommodation. Upon arrival at initial accommodation, AMES Australia clients are provided with information and assistance to enable them to function in their new environment, including provision of food or food vouchers for immediate needs. All clients will be provided one phone and one SIM card per family.
Essential Registrations
Clients are connected with essential services relevant to their needs. This might include education and language assistance or financial support. They will also be registered with AMEP (if required) and MyGov.
Health Services
Many clients arrive with immediate or ongoing health issues and are connected with health services early in their journey.
Orientation Program
The Orientation Program aims to equip clients with basic life-skills and to build clients’ self-confidence and ability to independently access support services in the future.
Accommodation Services
Clients who require assistance finding initial accommodation may be placed in short-term accommodation and are provided with assistance to find longer term rental accommodation. This will be determined by a needs assessment. Some clients may require assistance to set up their new home. AMES assist by providing basic household goods. Click here to read more about AMES Settlement Accommodation Services.
Specialised and Intensive Services (SIS)
Specialised and Intensive Services (Tier 3) aim to provide holistic case management service to newly arrived refugees and humanitarian entrants, including those with complex needs requiring specialised and intensive services. The aim of Specialised and Intensive Services is to build skills and knowledge in key foundational outcome areas to achieve settlement goals. Services are delivered through a tailored, needs-based case management approach for up to six months.
Volunteer Program
Our Volunteer Program is designed to provide additional support to clients through their initial settlement.
Translation Service
HSP clients will be supported to complete an online application for the Free Translation Service. Each client can have 10 documents translated, which may relate to identity (e.g. birth/marriage/death certificate), facilitation (e.g. drivers’ licenses, medical records, vaccination), education (e.g. school records, qualifications), employment (e.g. trade certificates, references).
Most clients, on average, can remain in HSP services for between 6 to 18 months based on individual cases.
Upon exit clients can access Workforce Australia Employment Provider or IEA services and/or Settlement Engagement Transition Support (SETS)
*Eligibility criteria apply for Workforce Australia and SETS services.
Location
In the South Eastern Melbourne and Peninsula region, AMES Australia Settlement Services are located at;
60 Douglas St
Noble Park VIC 3174
AMES Australia can be contacted here or by calling 13 26 37.
For more information, visit
Note - HSP eligible clients are referred to AMES Australia pre arrival by the Department of Home Affairs. Refer to Eligibility under Humanitarian Settlement Program