2.1.2 Humanitarian settlement services

Objective

This component provides humanitarian entrants with initial intensive settlement services on a needs basis under the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (IHSS). IHSS services include case coordination, information and referrals, on-arrival reception and assistance, accommodation services and short-term torture and trauma counselling. The IHSS provides humanitarian entrants with the assistance they need to start building a life in Australia.

Description

This output component supports the provision of intensive settlement services to newly-arrived refugees and Special Humanitarian Program (SHP) entrants under the IHSS.

IHSS services are generally provided for around six months but may be extended in cases of particular need. As SHP entrants have the support of a proposer to assist them with their settlement, they do not always need the full range of IHSS services.

The IHSS includes the following services:

  • case coordination, information and referrals—includes a case coordination plan based on an initial needs assessment; information about, and referral to, other service providers and mainstream agencies; and help for proposers to fulfil their role of assisting SHP entrants
  • on-arrival reception and assistance—includes meeting eligible entrants on arrival; taking them to suitable accommodation; providing initial orientation; and meeting any emergency needs for medical attention, clothing or footwear
  • accommodation services—helping entrants to find appropriate and affordable accommodation and providing them with basic household goods needed to set up their own household in Australia
  • short term torture and trauma counselling services—providing an assessment of needs, a case plan and referral for torture and trauma counselling. The strategy also aims to raise awareness among health care providers of health issues arising from torture and trauma.

Performance

The department helped 5752 refugees and 3804 SHP entrants under the IHSS in 2007–08, compared to 6248 refugees and 6023 SHP entrants in 2006–07. This reduction may be attributed to a lag in arrivals for those granted visas late in the program year along with a rise in the number of onshore humanitarian visas granted. The department also assisted 126 protection visa holders under the IHSS in 2007–08, compared to 84 in 2006–07.

Table 69: Humanitarian settlement services—performance information
Measures Results
Quality
Appropriate settlement services are made available to all eligible refugees on arrival and to all eligible entrants under the Special Humanitarian Program (SHP) on a needs basis The department helped 5752 refugees under the IHSS in 2007–08 (compared to 6248 in 2006–07) and 3804 SHP entrants (6023 in 2006–07). The department also helped 126 protection visa holders under the IHSS in 2007–08, compared to 84 in 2006–07.

The top five nationalities of clients who accessed IHSS services during the year were Burmese (25 per cent), Iraqi (18 per cent), Afghani (12 per cent), Sudanese (11 per cent) and Congolese (5 per cent).

Of the people who accessed IHSS services, 50 per cent were female and 50 per cent were male.

A total of 50 per cent were under the age of 18 years.
Quantity
12 500 refugees and eligible humanitarian entrants arriving under the Humanitarian Program In 2007–08, 9556 refugees and SHP entrants arrived and were assisted under the IHSS, compared to 12 355 in 2006–07. In addition, 126 protection visa holders were also assisted under the IHSS.