Fact Sheet 67 - The Australian Cultural Orientation (AUSCO) Program
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AUSCO overview
The Australian Cultural Orientation (AUSCO) Program is provided to refugee and humanitarian entrants who are preparing to settle in Australia. It is delivered offshore, before the entrants begin their journey to Australia.
AUSCO is designed to provide an initial introduction to aspects of Australian life. It is the beginning of the settlement process. AUSCO is available to all refugee and humanitarian entrants over the age of five, and is delivered over five days to ensure AUSCO adequately covers all topics in sufficient detail.
As at 1 January 2008, there have been over 1000 courses held in Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Romania, the Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe assisting over 22 000 entrants.
Refugee and humanitarian entrants are eligible to receive specialised settlement support upon arrival through the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (IHSS).
AUSCO Program objectives
AUSCO is designed to:
- prepare entrants for travel
- enhance entrants' settlement prospects
- create realistic expectations for their life in Australia
- provide information about Australian laws, values and lifestyle.
AUSCO Curriculum
AUSCO assists refugees and humanitarian entrants by providing practical advice and the opportunity to ask questions about travel to and life in Australia. The course is tailored for delivery to four separate groups – adults, youth, children and pre–literate entrants, as well as an additional Family Day session for all family members.
The curriculum is designed to give participants confidence and independence starting their new lives in Australia, and is an opportunity for them to meet others making the same journey.
Topics covered during the course include:
- an overview of Australia including government, geography and climate
- cultural adjustment
- travel to Australia
- settling in
- healthcare
- education
- finding a job
- money management
- housing
- transport
- Australian law
- Australian values and citizenship
- access to torture and trauma counselling
AUSCO teachers utilise a variety of teaching methods throughout the course including brainstorming, simulations, case studies, debates, discussions, problem solving and role plays. The department also provides classroom and reference materials such as videos and DVDs, maps, posters, newspapers, and books about Australia.
Entrants are given copies of the Beginning a Life in Australia booklet which is also available on the department's website.
See:
Beginning a Life in Australia
Delivery of the program
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is currently contracted to deliver the course on behalf of the department.
AUSCO Program Consultative Committee
The department has established an expert consultative committee comprising refugee advocates, educational specialists, IHSS providers, law enforcement and community groups as well as recently arrived refugee and humanitarian entrants. The committee assists in the development of curriculum materials and teaching resources for the AUSCO program.
Further information is available on the department's web site.
See: www.immi.gov.au
The department also operates a national telephone service inquiry line.
Telephone: 131 881
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm (recorded information available outside these hours) for the cost of a local call anywhere in Australia.
Fact Sheet 67. Produced by the National Communications Branch, Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Canberra.
Revised 6 May 2008.
© Commonwealth of Australia 2008.