Support for people seeking asylum

Despite demonstrating strength and resourcefulness, people seeking asylum are one of the most disadvantaged groups in our community.

People seeking asylum are more likely to experience poorer health and wellbeing outcomes than the general population, including due to experiences of destitution, mental health impacts of war-related trauma and separation from family, and limitations in healthcare accessibility.

Most people seeking asylum are ineligible for Commonwealth income and casework support or a low-income Health Care Card. Some do not have work rights or access to Medicare.

Healthcare for people seeking asylum

People seeking asylum in Victoria can access a range of health services through:

• public hospitals
• community health services
• specialist refugee and asylum health programs, and
• other Victorian Government funded services.

Public hospital care

If you are seeking asylum and cannot access Medicare, you can receive care as an admitted, non-admitted or emergency patient at a Victorian public hospital

This includes access to:

• emergency care
• elective care
• pathology and radiology
• mental health services
• pharmaceuticals (at co-payment rate and Tuberculosis medications free of charge)

Read the Hospital access policy for people seeking asylum on the Department of Health website.

Other free and low cost health services

People seeking asylum will have access to fee waivers for a range of health services.

• Ambulance services in emergency situations.
• Community health services.
• Dental services.
• Catch-up immunisation for children and adults.

People seeking asylum can also access a range of Victorian health services that do not require a Medicare Card. These include:

Virtual Emergency Department

Victorian Virtual Emergency Department provides 24/7 access to virtual care for people in Victoria. You do no need a Medicare card.

You can use any device connected to the internet to receive medical care from emergency doctors and nurses. The service is free, and interpreters are available.

Urgent Care Clinics

Urgent Care Clinics provide care for people with conditions that require urgent attention but not an emergency response such as mild infections, fractures and burns. Care is free with or without a Medicare card. You may need to pay for imaging, pathology and other services

Support for parents and children

Maternal and Child Health Services

The Maternal and Child Health Services is a free service which includes visits to a local Maternal and Child Health Nurse at 10 key ages and stages in your child’s development. Additional visits are offered as well as first time parenting groups, and links to local community activities and support services.

Extra 24-hour telephone support is available from the Maternal and Child Health Line (Tel. 13 22 29). Interpreters are available upon request.

Early Parenting Centres

Early Parenting Centres provide free specialist support to families with children aged 0 and up to 4 years.

They deliver flexible, targeted services that aim to enhance parent-child relationship, and support parents with strategies to achieve their parenting goals in areas such as:

• sleep and settling
• child behaviour
• parent and child health and wellbeing.

Supports are provided to families regardless of Medicare status.

Mental health and wellbeing support

Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals

Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals (‘Local Services’) support people aged 26 years and over who are experiencing mental health or wellbeing concerns, regardless of Medicare status. You can receive supppor if you are experiencing mental health and substance use concerns at the same time.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs

Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs alongside Partners In Wellbeing provide people in Victoria of any age, regardless of Medicare status, with support for a range of issues and include telehealth options.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centres

Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centres provide free support for families, carers and supporters of people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges or psychological distress. This includes access to peer support, psychological and wellbeing supports and hardship funds.

Refugee and asylum seeker health services

The following services provide tailored support for people seeking asylum.

Refugee Health Program

The statewide Refugee Health Program provides early health assessment referrals and health promotion and increases primary care capacity in refugee health.

The program is delivered by community health services, and employs community health nurses, allied health professionals and assistants, and bicultural workers.

Refugee Health Fellows Program

The Refugee Health Fellows Program provides support to primary and specialist health service providers through direct specialist clinical services, telehealth support, education, capacity building, secondary consultation and outreach.

The program is delivered through Royal Children’s Hospital, Royal Melbourne Hospital and Monash Health. It can also provide clinical advice, including on diagnosis, healthcare and appropriate referral options.

Foundation House

The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture (Foundation House) provides specialised counselling services and related supports to adults and children who have experienced torture, persecution or war-related trauma before their arrival in Australia.

Support for Asylum Seekers initiative

People seeking asylum can also receive health and wellbeing support through the state-funded Support for Asylum Seekers initiative. This includes supports for:

• general practice and financial assistance for pharmaceuticals and diagnostic testing in Community Health
• mental health support
• case coordination for people in crisis to connect people with essential services and supports
• basic needs and utilities assistance for essential expenses such as food, medication, and utilities
• homelessness assistance.

Legal assistance

Victoria Legal Aid

You can call Victoria Legal Aid for free information and advice about the law and how they can help you with an immigration problem. Victoria Legal Aid can refer you to other organisations if they cannot help you.

Call 1300 792 387, They can provide an interpreter if you need one.

Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre

The Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre (RILC) is an independent community legal centre that specialises in refugee and immigration law, policy and practice.

RILC provides legal assistance to asylum seekers and refugees who are not eligible for legal aid and cannot afford a private lawyer.

Find out more on the Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre website.

Community support

There are a number of community organisations in Victoria providing legal, health, financial and other help to asylum seekers and refugees.

Aids and Equipment Program for people with a permanent or long-term disability

If you have a permanent or long-term disability, you are eligible to apply to the Victorian Government’s Aids and Equipment Program regardless of your visa status. The program can help cover the cost of aids, equipment, vehicle and home modifications to help you stay independent at home, be a part of your community or help support families and carers in their role.

Find out more about aids and equipment programs.

Language services

You have the right to understand information about your healthcare.

Health services should offer you a qualified interpreter so you can understand your options and make informed decisions. A family or community member should not be asked to interpret for you.

You can find translated health information on the Health Translations website.

Read the Language Services Policy on the Department of Health website.

Sector coordination and advice

The Victorian Refugee Health Network engages and coordinates refugee health and settlement organisations and advises government on the needs of refugees and people seeking asylum.