DIMA Annual Report 1998-99

Sub-program 3.3: Humanitarian Settlement

Performance outcomes
(i) Further consolidation and development of the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy

Established in 1997-98, the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (IHSS) is a national framework for improving humanitarian settlement services for those most in need. At that time the Government provided $20.8 million in funding over a four-year period.

The strategy provides for a more holistic, better-targeted and responsive approach to the settlement needs of eligible humanitarian entrants and to improve service delivery integration. The framework incorporates needs assessment, information and referral as appropriate to specialised services, such as torture and trauma counselling services, and to broader settlement services delivered by a network of government and community-based organisations.

A range of funding initiatives, commenced in 1997-98, were extended in 1998-99. They include:

• $2.8 million to 34 community-based organisations to employ workers to provide assessment and referral services to humanitarian entrants and for a range of innovative projects in the area of case management services, recruitment and training of volunteers, and additional material assistance to entrants establishing households;
• $2 million to the National Forum of Services for the Survivors of Torture and Trauma to support the early health intervention program for humanitarian entrants; and
• $1 million to 21 Migrant Resource Centres for employing Humanitarian Resource Workers.

Review of material assistance

A review of the material assistance provided to humanitarian entrants to help them become established in Australia was conducted in 1998-99 as a basis for the further development of the IHSS. The Review of Material Assistance Report (MAR) identified the need for:

• improved access for humanitarian entrants to affordable, long-term housing as early as possible in the settlement process;
• eligibility for services based on assessment of specific needs of entrants;
• improved links between service providers;
• innovative solutions for the provision of goods for household formation;
• increased recognition and support for volunteers as service providers in their own right;
• increased support for entrants' proposers; and
• coordinated training and development for funded service providers.

Contracting of IHSS services

The MAR helped inform the further development of the IHSS. A new, better-integrated, service delivery model was approved by the Minister as the basis for the future contracting of IHSS services. The model identified seven core service outcomes which focus on the specific needs of humanitarian entrants:

• accommodation support;
• information and orientation assistance;
• household formation support;
• early health assessment and intervention assistance;
• support to proposers of humanitarian entrants;
• community support for refugees; and
• service provider support

The new model was the subject of extensive community consultations which contributed to further refinement of the model and service specifications. The Minister gave his approval to the model being used as the basis of:

• a Request for Proposals process to be conducted in 1999-2000 intended to lead to new contracts for IHSS service provision; and
• an improved process for the engagement of volunteers to help new arrivals to settle in Australia.

While further development of the IHSS continues, the full range of existing services and delivery arrangements is being maintained.

Performance outcomes
(ii) Settlement under CRSS and in OAA

Support under the Communities Refugee Settlement Scheme (CRSS) and On-Arrival Accommodation (OAA) is available to refugees and certain Special Humanitarian Program entrants.

Entrants in need of these services are referred by the Department's overseas offices at the time of visa issue. In 1998-99, 7845 entrants were assisted under CRSS services and in OAA (compared with 5677 in 1997-98).

Variations in the number of entrants assisted resulted from a higher than anticipated number of entrants arriving early in 1998-99 due to delays in processing overseas refugee and humanitarian visa applications at the end of 1997-98.

CRSS services

Under the CRSS, voluntary groups provide support for eligible humanitarian program entrants for up to six months after their arrival. A grant is paid to the group to assist with the initial expenses involved in settling the entrants.

Training and support was provided to the CRSS groups to enable them to effectively link entrants into services such as Centrelink, employment agencies, health programs and schools. There are about 250 active groups in Australia.

In 1998-99, 4924 entrants were settled under CRSS at a cost of $2.8 million compared with 3220 entrants in 1997-98, at a cost of $1.9 million. Nearly all entrants settled under CRSS are from the offshore component of the humanitarian program. The 4924 people assisted in 1998-99 included 77 protection visa holders released from Immigration Detention Centres.

On-Arrival Accommodation

Refugees and eligible humanitarian program entrants not being settled through the CRSS may use short-term accommodation provided by the Department in about 290 flats in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Entrants are given information about accommodation and general services, and are linked to a wide range of settlement services (such as Centrelink, health services and employment agencies).

In 1998-99, 2921 entrants were assisted through On-Arrival Accommodation (OAA) at a cost of $4.7 million. Tenants contributed $1.1 million towards these costs. This compares with 2457 entrants at a cost of $4 million in 1997-98, tenant contributions being almost $1 million.

The average length of stay for residents who left the accommodation during the financial year was 95 days (92 days in 1997-98).

OAA outcomes: comparative analysis 1997-98 and 1998-99

Under the non-repayable Rent Rebate Scheme, $268 000 was provided to 930 families to assist them with the initial costs of moving from OAA accommodation into longer term accommodation ($200 000 for 823 families in 1997-98).

A total of 1157 refugees and humanitarian program entrants referred for OAA also received assistance under the Clothing Reimbursement Scheme at a cost of approximately $83 000.

Performance outcomes
(iii) Unaccompanied minors

The unaccompanied refugee minors' program assists minors (under the age of 18 years) who are accepted for resettlement or granted bridging or protection visas and have no parents or close relatives accompanying them. The program provides support for care-givers to maximise successful settlement.

The Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs is empowered under the Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1946 as the guardian of unaccompanied refugee minors, to delegate his guardianship to the appropriate state and territory government authority. The unaccompanied minors program is therefore implemented on the Department's behalf by state and territory government child welfare agencies.

Under the Commonwealth-State cost-sharing program for refugee minors, the Department shares with those welfare agencies the costs of providing settlement assistance.

In 1998-99, $100 000 was spent to help 183 minors eligible for assistance under the Commonwealth-State Cost Sharing Program for Supervision and Welfare Support of Refugee Minors Without Parents in Australia (compared with $100 000 for 194 minors in 1997-98).

In addition, the Commonwealth provides funding for payment of a maintenance allowance for eligible unaccompanied minors (in 1998-99, $35 000 was spent compared with $34 000 in 1997-98).

[Previous Page]  [Table of Contents]  [Next Page]