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SERVICES

Find the support you need

There are many great organisations and services that can support you to settle in Canberra. 

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You can find out more information about what support is available for you by browsing the information below. If you can't find what you're looking for, call us on the Welcome 2 Canberra Info Line on 1800 512 234.

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INFO VIDEOS

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View the latest videos about Canberra Services here

(with language subtitles)

Volunteers at Food Bank

SERVICES

The following services can assist you with housing, employment, language classes and more.

MULTICULTURAL WOMEN'S SERVICE ACT

Multicultural Women's Service is a dedicated service for women of all ages in the ACT and offers support and assistance to women with information and referrals, community groups and networking opportunities and also support for women experiencing personal issues or domestic violence.

MULTICULTURAL YOUTH SERVICES (MYS)

The team at MYS assist young migrants and refugees to find their way in their new environment. The MYS team can help with someone to talk to, friends & relationships, finding a job, getting on at school, family matters and more. MYS has regular activities including drop-in-centre, job club, homework/study club, sports program, dance sessions and Road Ready courses.

MULTICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE ACT (MES)

Multicultural Employment Service has qualified and experienced Employment Consultants who actively seek out jobs for its clients through local businesses, services and agencies. Services include language and employment training and mentoring new businesses.

TRANSLATING & INTERPRETING SERVICE (TIS NATIONAL)

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is an interpreting service provided by the Department of Home Affairs for people who do not speak English and for agencies and businesses that need to communicate with their non-English speaking clients.

COMPANION HOUSE

Companion House works with adults and children who have sought safety in Australia from persecution, torture and war related trauma. Companion House provides a transitional (first 12 months) GP service for refugees and asylum seekers who are new to Canberra. Companion House doctors offer quality general practice care, immunisations, check-ups and minor procedures.

NAVITAS

NAVITAS provides the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) which helps migrants and refugees settle into Australia by improving your language and employability skills for those eligible for up to 510 hours free English language tuition. Streams of study include Pre-Employment English focusing on improving English language skills to help with employment or to go onto further study and the Social English stream focusing on improving everyday English language skills to help with settlement into life in Australia.

RED CROSS

The Red Cross provides support to refugees who arrive in Australia under the Humanitarian Settlement Program. With the help of volunteers Red Cross offers refugees a safe and welcoming introduction as they begin their new lives in Australia.

MIGRANT AND REFUGEE SETTLEMENT SERVICES

MARSS provides free settlement assistance through casework, provision of information, referrals, and advocacy services to all migrants and refugees who have been in Australia for under 5 years, homelessness services for asylum seekers and families with uncertain immigration status, and programs including English for Living, English for Employment, Program for After School Studies, Computer Class, Road Ready, Learn to Drive, Job Ready Program, Leadership Development, Home Tutor Program, Sewing Classes, Men's and Women's Outreach and Healthy Eating & Active Living.

MULTICULTURAL HUB CANBERRA

Multicultural Hub Canberra is the Centre for many services including: Settlement Services - Multicultural Women's Service, Multicultural Employment Service (MES), Multicultural Youth Service (MYS), Multicultural Aged-Care Service.

LEGAL SERVICES

These organisations can support you with legal advice.

ACT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

The ACT Human Rights Commission promotes the rights and welfare of all people living in the ACT. It handles complaints in relation to health, disability and community services, and complaints under discrimination law, increases awareness of the rights and responsibilities of service users and service providers, and encourages service improvement and provide advocacy for children, young people and adults experiencing vulnerability and advocate and provide support for victims of crime.

LEGAL AID ACT

Legal Aid ACT assists people in the ACT with their legal problems including help in criminal law, family law and some civil law matters. Examples of support include with lawyers at court, domestic and family violence, family dispute resolution and migration services. Legal Aid Helpline offers free and confidential legal advice, assistance, information and referrals to everyone in the community.

ACT COURTS AND TRIBUNAL

The ACT Courts' function is to adjudicate legal disputes between parties and carry out the administration of justice in accordance with the rule of law. The courts' role is to determine disputes in the form of cases which are brought before them.

SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARE

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ACT PUBLIC SCHOOLS

You can find a full list of all ACT primary and high schools across the city, and information on how to enroll your child via the ACT Education Directorate.

INTRODUCTORY ENGLISH LEARNING CENTRES

Canberra has a number of Introductory English Learning Centres located around the city, to support you in improving your English language skills. You can find one close to you via the ACT Education Directorate.

PARENTLINK

Parentlink can connect you to childcare and early learning centres int he ACT, and other support services for parents.

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

ANU is one of Australia's leading universities, and offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate study options.

UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA

University of Canberra offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate study options.

CANBERRA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) offer a range of courses from our trade qualifications to diplomas, degrees and postgraduate qualifications, our focus is on developing your practical skills and real world experience for a future limited only by your imagination. CIT also provides English language classes for migrants and refugees, asylum seekers who are eligible to attend free English language classes for two full-time semesters or four part-time semesters.

HEALTH SERVICES

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MEDICAL CENTRES

Canberra has access to many different options when it comes to finding a doctor, including general practices, walk-in clinics and more. You can find a full list via ACT Health's Find-A-Health-Service.

EMERGENCY HEALTH AND WALK-IN CENTRES

Emergency health services are available after-hours, and walk-in centres can provide out-of-hours and bulk-billed support. Find a service near you via ACT Health.

LIFELINE

If you are experiencing mental health issues, or need someone to talk to, you can access 24-hour counselling services through Lifeline.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Community services can connect you to other people, activities and programs to help you settle into your new home.

CAPITAL REGION COMMUNITY SERVICE

Capital Region Community Service provides a range of services, community groups and activities for people primarily in the north side of Canberra.

WODEN COMMUNITY SERVICE

Woden Community Service provides a range of services, community groups and activities for people primarily in the Woden Valley.

NORTHSIDE COMMUNITY SERVICE

Northside Community Service provides a range of services, community groups and activities for people primarily in the north of Canberra.

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