Improving settlement outcomes for refugees

Australia’s settlement services are being redesigned to ensure better language and employment outcomes for humanitarian entrants.

The Department of Social Services will co-design the new Humanitarian Settlement Program with shortlisted providers, following a Request for Expressions of Interest released yesterday.

Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs, Senator Zed Seselja said it is an important opportunity to work with the providers in designing a settlement services model that will improve the social and economic wellbeing of humanitarian entrants.

“The aim of the process is to ensure better overall outcomes for humanitarian entrants, especially with language and employment,” Senator Seselja said.

“Through this process we will make sure our settlement services are strengthened and our outcomes improved.

“The new program will respond to recommendations from the Ernst & Young evaluation of the Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS) and Complex Case Support (CCS) programs, and the Australian Government’s commitment to improving English language and employment outcomes for migrants.”

Stage One of the process is a Request for Expressions of Interest, open to all interested parties. Successful applicants will be invited to participate in a co-design workshop to help shape the new Humanitarian Settlement Program model.

Stage Two will invite organisations shortlisted in Stage One to tender for the delivery of the new Humanitarian Settlement Program.

Senator Seselja said Australia has consistently ranked among the top three countries (along with Canada and the United States) that resettle refugees referred by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

For more information on Australia’s settlement services, go to the DSS website.

For more information on the Humanitarian Settlement Program Request for Expressions of Interest, go to the AusTender website.