Our Youth Transition Support Program is committed to supporting members of the community who strive for inclusion and a sense of autonomy in designing their own destiny. Young people from refugee backgrounds arrive into a competitive landscape where access to education, training and customized support is a key determinant to securing sustainable employment. More thoughtful responses are needed to reduce the cycle of disadvantage for these young people recovering from the ultimate life disruption: forced displacement from conflict.

• Researching and trialling interventions to support youth on their education and employment journeys

• Co-designing and collaborating with youth on innovative bespoke approaches to navigating diversity in the youth sector

• Ensuring access to education & work is a right afforded to every young person, regardless of their financial circumstances, gender or culture

• Recognizing that the skill sets and capacities of young people from diverse backgrounds contribute to a robust and fertile learning and workplace environment

• Building an evidence base to support substantive investment on youth programs which provide reach and impact

• Providing sector development & training

YTSP is funded by The Department of Home Affairs, and is delivered nationally in consortia with five sister organizations

In NSW, our key service delivery partners are ADSi and SYDWEST.

• Service Areas: Blacktown and Cumberland

• Contact:

  Priscella Mabor
  Inclusion Strategy & Innovations Manager
  priscella.mabor@cmrc.com.au
  Ph: 02 9687 9901

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At LMA, we understand the importance of support in helping our community overcome barriers such as language, cultural stress, discrimination and more.

Our Youth Transition Support programs provide capacity-building activities and mentoring to empower young migrants aged 15 to 25 to thrive in their new community. 

The LMA’s Youth Transition Support Employment readiness program is designed to prepare young adults for life beyond school, equipping them with the skills and qualifications needed to succeed in the workplace.

We offer targeted programs in various industries, helping participants build their resumes and gain practical experience. Through hands-on training, mentoring, and industry-specific courses, we focus on developing essential job skills that employers value. 

LMA’s Youth Transition Support Engagement Programs are designed to support the mental health and well-being of young migrants by creating connections within the community.

These programs provide a safe and welcoming space for participants to engage in creative and recreational activities while also building supportive relationships with others who share similar experiences. 

At LMA, we understand the unique challenges young refugees and vulnerable young migrants face as they begin new lives in a foreign country. Our school programs are designed to empower these individuals, providing essential support and resources to help them overcome obstacles such as language barriers, discrimination, and hands-on experiences. 

By creating strong social connections through sports, leadership activities, and community involvement, we ensure that our participants not only survive but thrive in their new environments. With the support of the Department of Home Affairs, our partners, and our dedicated team, LMA is committed to helping young people integrate successfully into Australian society and achieve their full potential.

• ‍Service Areas: Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool

• Contact:

  Ph: 02 9750 6833
  Info@lma.org.au

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We create welcome and build communities where everyone belongs. As Queensland’s leading humanitarian settlement provider, our clients and communities are at the heart of everything we do, and we are passionate about providing care and service that meets the direct needs of individuals and communities.

We have welcomed tens of thousands of individuals from refugee, asylum seeker, international student, and migrant backgrounds in Queensland – with the goal of creating a more equitable and prosperous society.

Our Migrant Youth Vision Project (MYVP), funded through Youth Transition Support (YTS) in the Department of Home Affairs, supports young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds in the areas of employment, education, training, sports and social participation.

Delivered by an experienced, passionate and diverse team of youth workers with lived experience as migrants and refugees, the program helps youth build confidence and creativity and gain independence to pursue their aspirations and make a positive impact in the community.

• ‍Service Areas: Brisbane, Toowoomba

• Contact:

  Ph: 07 3337 5400

  welcome@mcaus.org.au

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Starting a new life in a new country is a challenge. Young refugees and vulnerable refugees, humanitarian entrants, and migrants often need extra help and support to become and stay connected in their new community. The Federal Government’s Youth Transition Support scheme is intended to help.

How we help

We connect with youth from diverse backgrounds and help them connect with the community.

Staff provide educational, employment and vocational support including career counselling.

We create connection through sports and recreational activities, such as sports tournaments.

Eligible clients will be residents between 15 to 24 years of age who have arrived in Australia less than 5 years ago as humanitarian entrants or family stream migrants with low English proficiency.

• Service Areas: Ipswich, Logan, Redbank

• Contact:

  Ph: 07 3412 8222

  acsl.settlementsupport@ssi.org.au

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Our Youth Transitions Support Pilot Program helps young refugees participate in the community through work, education and sport.

The pilot program offers work ‘tasters’ that include workplace tours, industry guest speakers and conversations with people from various organisations.

Participants receive:

• training

• links with employers

• career guidance

• mentoring

• employment preparation

• work experience and volunteering opportunities

• ongoing coaching and guidance.

Newly arrived young people of refugee and migrant backgrounds aged 15 to 25 are eligible for the program.

• Service Areas: Attwood, Broadmeadows, Bulla, Campbellfield, Coolaroo, Clarkefield, Craigieburn, Dallas, Diggers Rest, Donnybrook, Gladstone Park, Goonawarra, Greenvale, Jacana, Kalkallo, Konagaderra, Meadow Heights, Melbourne Airport, Mickleham, Oaklands Junction, Roxburgh Park, Sunbury, Somerton, Tullamarine, Upfield, Westmeadows, Yuroke.

• Contact:

  Ph: 03 9422 5616

  info@bsl.org.au

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Foundation House provides a range of specialist programs for young people from refugee backgrounds who have recently arrived in Australia. 

Ucan2

A 16-week education and settlement group program which supports the social inclusion of recently arrived young people of refugee background aged 16–25. 

The group program assists with recovery from trauma and settlement in Australia, and builds on each young persons strengths, integrating their past and present experiences and supporting their future. By fostering partnerships between education providers, social support and training and employment services, Ucan2 offers: 

• Access to, and engagement in education, training and employment 

• Mental health and wellbeing support 

• Social connections and networks 

This group program is delivered in a variety of educational settings including TAFE, language schools and community organisations. 

Ucan2 Business Partnerships

Ucan2 Business Partnerships complements key components of the Ucan2 program both during and on completion.  

Within the 16-week Ucan2 program, Business Partnerships offers young people 24 hours of work experience with corporate partners which include Coles, Woolworths and Salvation Army. This is an opportunity for young people to make social connections, develop networks and gives real-life experience of working in Australia. 

 On completion of the Ucan2 program, Business Partnerships also specialises in follow-up sessions which support participants to transition into education, training and employment, including the following: 

• Access to an extended Mentoring Program with corporate partners 

• The opportunity for casual work with a broad range of employers, including Australia Post  

• Individual work skills/case-management support 

• Trainee employment opportunities 

Ucan2 Mentoring

On completion of the Ucan2 program, young people have the opportunity to be paired with a mentor to work with them one-on-one for a period of twelve months. 

With support from Foundation House, a mentor develops a professional relationship with a young person to help their resettlement in Australia and further develop their skills, confidence, and networks. This involves assistance with goal setting, education, practising English, employment, and social activities. 

Foundation House has established partnerships with several employers who provide mentors and employment opportunities. 

• ‍Locations: Brimbank, Casey, Darebin, Greater Bendigo, Greater Dandenong, Greater Hume Shire, Maribyrnong, Maroondah, Melbourne, Melton, Whitehorse, Wyndham

• Contact:

  Kudzanayi Chirenje (KC)
  Ucan2 Program Coordinator

  M: 0428 559 429
  chirenjek@foundationhouse.org.au

  Anne CliffordUcan2 Business Partnerships Coordinator

  M: 0436 471 184
  clifforda@foundationhouse.org.au

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