Australian Red Cross – Asylum Seekers Assistance Scheme
Published: 5 Oct 2016
Country: Australia
State/Province: Victoria
Website: www.redcross.org.au/ourservices_aroundtheworld_tracingrefugeeservices_ASAS.htm
Telephone: +61 (03) 93 45 18 00 / 83 27 78 83
Fax: +61 (03) 93 48 25 13
Street Address: 155 Pelham Street, Carlton South, VIC 3053 / PO Box 196, Carlton South, VIC 3053
Red Cross has been administering the Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme (ASAS) since its inception in 1992. The scheme is funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, and provides financial assistance and health care to asylum seekers. Caseworkers assist people to meet a wide range of needs including health support, counselling, accommodation, material aid, education and legal referrals, and social support. The scheme operates in each State and Territory, with a list of national offices available here.
All services are provided free of charge and include: income support to cover basic living expenses (89% of Centrelink Special Benefit), general health care including pharmaceutical Health Services Australia medical costs, casework support, referrals to other agencies (legal, medical, counselling, social, education, housing, material aid).
The Red Cross also runs a family tracing programme free of charge that helps find or contact relatives overseas.