Migrant settlement services

Letter to the Editor - The Canberra Times
11 November 2004

Dear Sir/Madam

I refer to the article Migrant prisoners in Gungahlin (CT 9 November) and draw to readers’ attention that there is a range of services which provide settlement assistance to migrants in the ACT.

Organisations are funded by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs to provide casework, information and community services to migrants and Humanitarian Program entrants. Together with the Migrant Resource Centre of Canberra and Queanbeyan, these organisations help migrants to access mainstream service providers to help them find jobs, accommodation, health care and to access other relevant services.

Of particular relevance are the Adult Migrant English Program classes. The program provides basic English tuition to newly arrived migrants and humanitarian entrants. It also provides an orientation function assisting clients with practical information about life in Australia.

There is also an active Settlement Planning Committee in the ACT Region, a body which meets regularly to discuss and address the settlement issues and needs facing the area.

Roger Wheatley
Acting Director Public Affairs
DIMIA