DIMA Annual Report 1998-99
Sub-program 4.3: Settlement and Language Services
Objective
To arrange settlement programs for recently arrived migrants and humanitarian entrants that complement the services governments direct to all Australian residents.
Description
This sub-program provides resources for a range of settlement services that assist migrants' early settlement and equitable participation in Australian society. Eligibility for services varies with conditions of entry.
The sub-program operates under the policy framework of the National Integrated Settlement Strategy. The framework aims to improve the provision of settlement services to migrants through coordination and cooperative action among agencies at all levels of government and in the community.
At national level, bilateral and multilateral consultations occur with other government agencies on policy initiatives impacting on migrants. At the state and territory level, key partnerships are forged with community-based organisations and state and territory and local government agencies through Settlement Planning Committees.
The sub-program is delivered through the provision of English language tuition through the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP); on-site and telephone interpreting and transIating through the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS); and financial grants to community organisations, some of which deliver ethno-specific services to migrants.
Responsibility for program management is shared by Settlement Branch and Citizenship and the Language Services Branch. Responsibility for service delivery lies with the Department's state and territory offices.
Performance information
Outcomes are measured by the extent to which:
- the outcomes of the Migrant Resource Centre Future Directions review are implemented, in particular, improved service agreements emphasising accountability for service delivery outcomes as specified in agreed work programs; and the Community Settlement Services Scheme funding priorities are aligned with the settlement priorities identified within the National Integrated Settlement Strategy framework;
- the planning and consultation frameworks under the National Integrated Settlement Strategy have been used and improved to address priority settlement issues agreed by the Ministerial Council for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs in March 1998;
- work was undertaken, in conjunction with other Commonwealth agencies, to improve access by migrants to the services and programs provided by those agencies;
- support was provided to the Minister s Refugee Resettlement Advisory Council in its role of providing policy advice on service delivery issues;
- settlement information products were further improved, particularly material about the two-year waiting period for social security payments provided to overseas applicants for migration and their sponsors;
- the Adult Migrant English Program objectives were achieved;
- streamlining of the Translating and Interpreting Service, and improvement of national client service delivery was implemented; and
- support for National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters in upgrading its computer technology was provided.
Financial staffing and resources summary
1998-99 |
1998-99 |
1997-98 |
||
Budget & AE's |
Actual |
Actual |
||
($'000) |
($'000) |
($'000) |
||
Budgetary (Cash) basis |
||||
Components of appropriations |
||||
Annual appropriations |
||||
Running Costs |
25 531 |
25 591 |
26 637 |
|
Other Program Appropriations |
118 372 |
107 449 |
138 802 |
|
Total appropriations |
143 903 |
133 040 |
165 439 |
|
Less adjustments |
6 522 |
6 926 |
6 667 |
|
Total Outlays |
137 381 |
126 114 |
158 772 |
|
Total Revenue |
19 090 |
12 744 |
10 469 |
|
Staffing |
||||
Staff years (actual) |
264 |
230 |
281 |
|