Victoria

This page is currently being updated as part of the sixth edition of the Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide (2026). To provide feedback, please contact refugeehealth@foundationhouse.org.au

Click here for the fifth edition of this referral page which was last updated in 2018.

Key Service Type Key Service Name

 

 

Refugee Health Services

For comprehensive and holistic primary care and tertiary care, including on-arrival Refugee Health Assessment

 

Refugee Health Program
Coordinated model of care for newly arrived refugees and people seeking asylum, delivered by community health services across 15 local government areas of Victoria. 

The Royal Melbourne Hospital – Refugee Health
Specialist care for adult immigrants and refugees including Medicare ineligible asylum seekers. 

The Royal Children’s Hospital – Immigrant Health Service 
Specialist care for children and young people who arrived as refugees, including Medicare ineligible asylum seekers.  

Monash Health – Refugee Health and Wellbeing
Comprehensive primary care services together with tertiary services including infectious diseases, paediatrics and psychiatry.

Cabrini Outreach – Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health Hub Primary Health
Comprehensive primary health care to people seeking asylum who are Medicare-ineligible or who have Medicare but no income.

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre – Health Service
Primary health services for people seeking asylum living in the community and prioritises those without access to Medicare.

 

 

Specialised Mental Health Services

For torture and trauma counselling and other specialised mental health services

Foundation House – Specialised Torture and Trauma Counselling
Specialised counselling, complementary therapies and group programs, across six metro sites and partnerships in rural and regional Victoria. 

Cabrini Outreach – Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health Hub – Mental Health

Multi-disciplinary care for clients with mental health needs, including psychiatry, counselling, care coordination and secondary consultation.

 

Settlement & Asylum Seeker Services

For settlement support including case management, support to access mainstream services (including education and employment) and community connections

 AMES Australia – Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP)
Supports newly arrived humanitarian entrants and other refugee visa holders during initial settlement (6-18 months), including services delivered by partners in metro Melbourne (Micare and Spectrum) and regional areas.

Settlement Services International (SSI) -Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS)

Life Without Barriers (LWB) – Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS)

Needs-based support for people seeking asylum who are not able to support themselves, can demonstrate hardship and are engaged in immigration status resolution.

Settlement Engagement and Transition Support Program (SETS)

Services and supports for humanitarian entrants in the first five years of settlement.

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre – Support Services
Provides casework, legal, housing, employment, material aid, and wellbeing support for people seeking asylum.

Further State Referral Information

 

 Victorian Refugee Health Network – Resources and Referrals
Provides refugee health resources, referral pathways, clinical guidance, and education for healthcare professionals across Victoria.
Refugee Health Fellows Program
Supports healthcare professionals through refugee health education, mentoring, clinical leadership, and capacity-building across Victoria.

 

Produced by

in consultation with

                  

Endorsed by (2018-2021)

 

Funded by

The Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide was produced with funds from the Australian Government Department of Health.

Disclaimer

The information set out in the Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide (“the Guide”) is current at the date of first publication and is intended for use as a guide of a general nature only and may or may not be relevant to particular patients or circumstances. Nor is the Guide exhaustive of the subject matter. Persons implementing any recommendations contained in the Guide must exercise their own independent skill or judgement or seek appropriate professional advice relevant to their own particular circumstances when so doing. The statements or opinions that are expressed in the Guide reflect the views of the contributing authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the editors or Foundation House. Compliance with any recommendations cannot of itself guarantee discharge of the duty of care owed to patients and others coming into contact with the health professional and the premises from which the health professional operates.

Whilst the information is directed to health professionals possessing appropriate qualifications and skills in ascertaining and discharging their professional (including legal) duties, it is not to be regarded as clinical advice and, in particular, is no substitute for a full examination and consideration of medical history in reaching a diagnosis and treatment based on accepted clinical practices.

Accordingly, Foundation House and its employees and agents shall have no liability (including without limitation liability by reason of negligence) to any users of the information contained in the Guide for any loss or damage (consequential or otherwise), cost or expense incurred or arising by reason of any person using or relying on the information contained in the Guide and whether caused by reason of any error, negligent act, omission or misrepresentation in the information. Although every effort has been made to ensure that drug doses and other information are presented accurately in the Guide, the ultimate responsibility rests with the prescribing clinician. For detailed prescribing information or instructions on the use of any product described herein, please consult the prescribing information issued by the manufacturer.