Useful Links
Apart from helping with music therapy, the Music for Refugees organisation is proud to have also created a resource list, to give asylum seekers and refugees assistance in many other areas, including legal services, housing services and self employment advisory services.
Feel free to pass this listing on to anyone who may find it useful.
All the listings, information and support services are intended to assist refugees and asylum seekers to remain legally and happily in Australia.
While the information is provided in good faith, it is address and basic information only, not legal or other advice.
Readers should get their own legal or other advice before acting.
We hope these listings, including the other information at the very end, are helpful.
Please let us know of any other useful information that could be added to this resource list.
Philip Feinstein
MUSIC FOR REFUGEES
philip@musicforrefugees.org
P.O. Box 1000
Bondi Junction NSW 1355
Australia
WEBSITE: http://www.musicforrefugees.org
FACEBOOK: Music for Refugees
www.facebook.com/pages/Music-for-Refugees/1500789130197574
It is important to know the difference between an asylum seeker and a refugee:
An asylum seeker is a person who has sought protection as a refugee, but whose claim for refugee status has not yet been assessed. Every refugee has at some point been an asylum seeker. Those asylum seekers who are found to be refugees are entitled to international protection and assistance. Those who are found not to be refugees, nor to be in need of any other form of international protection, can be sent back to their country of origin.
http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/fact-sheets/
Free or Subsidised and Discounted Legal Aid and/or Support
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NEW SOUTH WALES
Legal Aid NSW: http://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/civil-law/immigration-service
General: 1300-888-529
Sydney - Head Office: (02) 9219-5000 and (02) 9219-5790
Auburn: (02) 9649-6955
Bankstown: (02) 9707-4555
Blacktown: (02)9621-6633 and (02) 9261-4800
Burwood: (02) 9747-6155
Campbelltown: (02) 4628-2922
Fairfield: (02) 9727-3777
Liverpool: (02) 9601-3788 and (02) 9601-1200
Parramatta: (02) 9891-1600
Penrith: (02) 4732-3077
Sutherland: (02) 9521-3733
- - - - - -
Coffs Harbour: (02) 6651-7899
Dubbo: (02) 6885-4233
Gosford: (02) 4324-5611
Lismore: (02) 6621-2082
Newcastle: (02) 4929-5482
Nowra: (02) 4422-4351
Orange: (02) 6362-8022
Port Macquarie: (02) 5525-1600
Tamworth: (02) 6766-6322
Wagga Wagga: (02) 6921-6588
Wollongong: (02) 4228-8299
Refugee Council: (02) 9211-9333
Information available from http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/migration-advice/
- - - And http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/services/information-for-refugees-and-asylum-seekers/legal-information
Salvos Legal: www.salvoslegal.com.au TEL: 8202-1555
Level 2, 151 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000
. . . Salvos also gives advice at other NSW locations:
Auburn Bureau: 166-170 South Parade (Entrance on Park Road), Auburn
Campsie Bureau: 23 Anglo Road (Entrance via Dewar Street), Campsie
Canterbury/Lakemba Bureau: Cnr The Boulevarde & Croydon Street, Lakemba TEL: (02) 8202-1500
Penrith Bureau: 306 High Steet, Penrith NSW 2750 TEL: 8202-1566, Penrith TEL: (02) 8202-1500
Parramatta Bureau: 34-38 Smith Street, Parramatta
Newcastle Bureau: Cnr Union & Parry Streets, Newcastle West
Legal Aid Speech/Hearing impairment: 1300-889-529
Legal Aid Translation service: 13-1450
Asylum Seekers Centre (ASC): http://asylumseekerscentre.org.au
TEL: (02) 9078-1900 and (02) 9078-1952
Law Society of NSW: http://www.lawsociety.com.au/community/findingalawyer/probono/index.htm
TEL: (02) 9926-0364
Federal Court of Australia: http://www.fedcourt.gov.au/contact/nsw
TEL: (02) 9230-8567
Refugee Advice Casework Service (RACS): http://www.racs.org.au
TEL: (02) 8355-7227 Phone enquiries (Tuesdays 10am - 11-30am - Randwick)
. . . RACS also gives advice at other NSW locations:
Auburn Centre, 44a Macquarie Road, Auburn (Wednesdays 10am - 12pm)
JRS Clinic, Arrupe Place, 4 Victoria Road, Parramatta (Mondays and Fridays 10am - 12pm)
Metro Assist - Metro Migrant Resource Centre MRC: www.metromrc.org.au
TEL: (02) 9789-3744 (Campsie)
TEL: (02) 9798-1700 (Ashfield)
TEL: (02) 8594-0300 (Marrickville)
TEL: (02) 9790-1766 (Condell Park)
Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS): www.jrs.org.au
TEL: 9098-9336 (See RACS above)
House of Welcome: http://www.houseofwelcome.com.au
TEL: (02) 9727-9290
IARC - Immigration Advice and Rights Centre: http://www.iarc.asn.au
TEL: 8234-0799 (Tuesdays and Thursdays 2pm - 4pm)
Amnesty International: http:/www.amnesty.org.au/nsw
TEL: 1300-300-920 x 5
Human Rights Law Centre: http://hrlc.org.au/contact
TEL: (03) 8636-4450 (Melbourne)
Australian Human Rights Centre: www.ahrcentre.org
TEL: (02) 9385-1803 (Human Rights issues only)
Emergency weekend telephone number for NSW Duty Judge: (02) 9230-8025
United Nations Refugee Agency - UNHCR: http://www.unhcr.org.au
TEL: (02) 6281-9100 (Canberra)
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VICTORIA
Legal Aid Victoria: http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/
TEL: 1300-792-387
Refugee and Immigration Lehal Centre RILC: http://www.rilc.org.au/About-Rilc/Overview
TEL Reception: (03) 9413-0101 Advice Line: (03) 9413-0100
Federal Court of Australia: http://www.fedcourt.gov.au/contact/vic
TEL: (03) 8600-3333
Human Rights Law Centre: http://hrlc.org.au/contact
TEL: (03) 8636-4450
Amnesty International: http:/www.amnesty.org.au/vic
TEL: 1300-300-920 x 5
United Nations Refugee Agency - UNHCR: http://www.unhcr.org.au
TEL: (02) 6281-9100 (Canberra)
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QUEENSLAND
Legal Aid Queensland:
http://www.legalaid.qld.gov.au/about/Policies-and-procedures/Grants-handbook/What-do-we-fund/Civil-law/Pages/Migration.aspx
TEL: 1300 651-188
RAILS - Refugee and Immigration Legal Service: www.rails.org.au
TEL: (07) 3846-9333 and (07) 3846-9300
Federal Court of Australia: http://www.fedcourt.gov.au/contact/qld
TEL: (07) 3248-1100
Salvos Legal: www.salvoslegal.com.au
27 Smiths Road, Goodna QLD 4300
TEL: (07) 3280-8860 MOB: 0408-524-463
123 Paradise Road, Slacks Creek QLD 4127
TEL: (07) 3349-5046
5/46 Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road, Upper Mount Gravatt QLD 4122
TEL: (07) 3349-5046
32-54 Hayward Street, Stafford QLD 4053
TEL: (07) 3352-6577
Amnesty International: http:/www.amnesty.org.au/qld
TEL: 1300-300-920 x 5
Human Rights Law Centre: http://hrlc.org.au/contact
TEL: (03) 8636-4450 (Melbourne)
United Nations Refugee Agency - UNHCR: http://www.unhcr.org.au
TEL: (02) 6281-9100 (Canberra)
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Legal Services Commission SA: http://www.lsc.sa.gov.au/cb_pages/legal_aid.php
TEL: 1300-366-424
Federal Court of Australia: http://www.fedcourt.gov.au/contact/sa
TEL: (08) 8219-1000
Amnesty International: http:/www.amnesty.org.au/sa
TEL: 1300-300-920 x 5
Human Rights Law Centre: http://hrlc.org.au/contact
TEL: (03) 8636-4450 (Melbourne)
United Nations Refugee Agency - UNHCR: http://www.unhcr.org.au
TEL: (02) 6281-9100 (Canberra)
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WEST AUSTRALIA
Legal Aid Western Australia: http://www.legalaid.wa.gov.au/InformationForLawyers/Pages/GrantsOnline.aspx
TEL: (08) 9261-6345 or (08) 9261-6222
Humanitarian Group: www.humanitariangroup.org.au
TEL: (08) 9227-7311 (9am - 3pm)
Federal Court of Australia: http://www.fedcourt.gov.au/contact/wa
TEL: (08) 9268-7100
Amnesty International: http:/www.amnesty.org.au/wa
TEL: 1300-300-920 x 5
Human Rights Law Centre: http://hrlc.org.au/contact
TEL: (03) 8636-4450 (Melbourne)
United Nations Refugee Agency - UNHCR: http://www.unhcr.org.au
TEL: (02) 6281-9100 (Canberra)
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NORTHERN TERRITORY
Legal Aid Commission NT: http://www.ntlac.nt.gov.au/legal_info/whatsthelaw.htm
TEL: 1800-019-343
Federal Court of Australia: http://www.fedcourt.gov.au/contact/nt
TEL: (08) 8941-2333
Amnesty International: http:/www.amnesty.org.au/sa
TEL: 1300-300-920 x 5
Human Rights Law Centre: http://hrlc.org.au/contact
TEL: (03) 8636-4450 (Melbourne)
United Nations Refugee Agency - UNHCR: http://www.unhcr.org.au
TEL: (02) 6281-9100 (Canberra)
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ACT - AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Legal Aid ACT: http://www.legalaidact.org.au/pdf/Light_at_the_end_of_the_Tunnel_Legal_Aid_Services_Quality_and_Outcomes.pdf
TEL: 1300-654-314
Federal Court of Australia: http://www.fedcourt.gov.au/contact/act
TEL: (02) 6267-0666
Amnesty International: http:/www.amnesty.org.au/nsw
TEL: 1300-300-920 x 5
United Nations Refugee Agency - UNHCR: http://www.unhcr.org.au
TEL: (02) 6281-9100 (Canberra)
Human Rights Law Centre: http://hrlc.org.au/contact
TEL: (03) 8636-4450 (Melbourne)
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TASMANIA
Legal Aid Tasmania: https://www.legalaid.tas.gov.au/
TEL: (03) 6236-3800
Federal Court of Australia: http://www.fedcourt.gov.au/contact/tas
TEL: (03) 6232-1615
Amnesty International: http:/www.amnesty.org.au/tas
TEL: 1300-300-920 x 5
Human Rights Law Centre: http://hrlc.org.au/contact
TEL: (03) 8636-4450 (Melbourne)
United Nations Refugee Agency - UNHCR: http://www.unhcr.org.au
TEL: (02) 6281-9100 (Canberra)
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EXTRA NOTES:
1) If you know of a case where a refugee/asylum seeker who has a child in Australia, and the parent is to be moved, advise them to get their child to send in a letter addressed to the appropriate minister, stating where appropriate that the child will battle without their father/mother. And if the child is having medical treatment for current stresses, get them to include the appropriate medical paperwork. It may require a third party to actually send in the letter and medical certificate. Get legal advise first.
2) As in point (1) above, maybe remind the appropriate minister that in sentencing the parent to live away from their child, that they are also sentencing the actual child to a life without their parent. Again, get legal advice first.
3) If the refugee/asylum seeker has a representative acting for them, they might consider a letter along the lines below to send to the appropriate government department. However, it is important to get legal advice first.
"We understand that a decision has been made to transfer Mr/Ms XXXX from YYYY Immigration Detention Centre to ZZZZ Detention Centre as early as (state day/date/time).
That move will have an extremely adverse effect on our client and his family (and child if applicable) and Mr/Ms XXXX is entitled to be heard in relation to the place of his detention before he/she is moved in accordance with the principles set out in Soh v Commonwealth of Australia [2008] FCA 520.
We request an opportunity, on behalf of Mr/Ms XXXX, to be heard in relation to any decision or proposed decision to move Mr/Ms XXXX from ZZZZ Detention Centre. We request to be heard before any such decision is made, and if such a decision has already been made, to be heard before it is implemented (that is, before Mr/Ms XXXX is moved from ZZZZ).
Can you please confirm that you will allow our client procedural fairness in relation to any proposed move and will you undertake not to move him/her without giving us 72 hours notice."
4) It is important to have permission in writing from the asylum seeker or refugee whom you are personally assisting. This should be stated to whichever minister or government official you are writing to.
When writing to a federal minister, you may wish to send a copy your letter to the following department:
Complex Case Resolution Section
Caseload Assurance Branch
Community Protection Division
Department of Immigration and Border Protection
EMAIL ADDRESS: complex.case.resolution.section@border.gov.au
5) Other sources of useful information:
Download a free booklet of frequently asked questions about asylum seekers and refugees in Australia.
http://www.redcross.org.au/files/20141103_Asylum_seekers_13_things_you_should_know_FINAL_LR.pdf
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home
Refugee Council of Australia
http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au
Australian Human Rights Commission
http://www.humanrights.gov.au
Department of Immigration
http://www.border.gov.au
6) Do you want to rent a home? Below are some government links for all states.
. . . New South Wales: http://www.tenants.org.au
. . . Victoria: https://www.tuv.org.au
. . . Queensland: http://tenantsqld.org.au
. . . South Australia: http://www.sa.gov.au/topics/housing-property-and-land/housing/calculators/hsf
. . . West Australia: http://www.tenancywa.org.au
. . . Tasmania: http://tutas.org.au
. . . ACT: http://www.tenantsact.org.au/rentingAdvice/TenancyFactsheets
. . . Northern Territory: http://www.dcls.org.au/tenants-advice.html
7) Do you want to start your own business? In Australia the government will encourage you to begin your own business. And as long as it is a legal business, there are many places to get help and assistance. Listed below are some organisations who can provide advice for little or no cost.
To register your business name and get more information see
http://www.business.gov.au/business-topics/starting-a-business/Pages/default.aspx
To register a website and get more information see
http://www.business.gov.au/registration-and-licences/Pages/register-your-domain-name.aspx
There are many commercial organisations who can also assist with your website registration.
One of the most popular ones is https://www.crazydomains.com.au
For Business rights and responsibilities see http://www.accc.gov.au
To find a job, or to get people to work for you, see http://www.jobsearch.gov.au
To get general business advice see the SSI Ignite Program:
http://www.ssi.org.au/services/ignite
For other general business advice, see organisations below who may be able to assist:
New South Wales
- - - - - - - - - -
School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE)
Hub City, 101 William Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Phone: 0413-286-871 and 0425-871-188
Email: david@sse.org.au
Web: www.sse.org.au
Botany Bay Business Enterprise Centre
21a Dalley Avenue, Pagewood NSW 2035
Phone: (02) 9316-5877 Mobile: 0418-357-692
Email: marcus.dwyer@gmail.com
Web: www.botanybec.com.au
Southern Sydney Business Enterprise Centre
Unit 1a, 29 - 33 Waratah Street, Kirrawee NSW 2232
Phone: (02) 9545-5900
Email: bookings@becsouthernsydney.com.au
and jacqui@becsouthernsydney.com.au
Web: www.becsouthernsydney.com.au
Victoria
- - - - -
City of Casey
Magid Drive, Narre Warren, VIC 3805
Phone: (03) 9705-5189
Email: tzsolt@casey.vic.gov.au
Web: http://www.casey.vic.gov.au/business
Queensland
- - - - - - -
Brisbane Metro Business Enterprise Centre
9 Cambridge Street, Coorparoo QLD 4151
Phone: (07) 3397-9899 Mobile: 0419-007-709
Email: alice@brisbanebec.com.au
Web: www.brisbanebec.com.au and www.gbsbas.com.au
South Australia
- - - - - - - - -
Tea Tree Gully Business Enterprise Centre
114 Tolley Road, St Anges SA 5097
Phone: (08) 8397-9555
Email: caren.brougham@neda.asn.au
Web: www.neda.asn.au/bec/
A.C.T.
- - - -
Southern Region & Canberra BEC
1 Farrer Place, Queanbeyan NSW 2620
Phone: (02) 6297-3121
Email: helena@srbec.com.au
Website: www.srbec.com.au
West Australia
- - - - - - - -
Belmont Business Enterprise Centre
7 Fairbrother Street, Belmont WA 6104
Phone:(08) 9479-3777 and Mobile: 0433-349-521
Email: info@belmontbec.com and carol.hanlon@belmontbec.com
Web: www.belmontbec.com/contact-us.php
Northern Territory
- - - - - - - - - -
Darwin Business Enterprise Centre
Lower Level, 20 Catterthun Street, Winnellie NT 0820
Phone: (08) 9023-6100 Mobile: 0408-837-032
Email: jack@becnt.com.au
Web: www.becnt.com.au
Tasmania
- - - - - -
OGroup / Business and Employment
56 Oldaker Street, Devonport TAS 7310
26 Elizabeth Street, Launceston TAS 7250
Agency office, Hobart TAS 7000
Phone: 1300-725-570
Email: www.businessandemployment.biz
Web: thom.lloyd@businessandemployment.biz
New Zealand
- - - - - - - -
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
Phone: 0800-424-946 and +64-4-472-0030
Email: info@mbie.govt.nz
Web: http://www.mbie.govt.nz and http://www.business.govt.nz
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