It's Aged Care Employee Day 2023 and a special time to say thank you to all the carers in our world.

Take time to say #ThanksforCaring

Posted on 31/07/2023 | by Vikki Hine

SydWest Multicultural Services encourages the Western Sydney community to recognise those who care for older Australians and say “thanks for caring” ahead of Aged Care Employee Day (ACED) on Monday 7 August 2023.

“We’re asking our community to take a moment and think about the quiet achievers and the superheroes who provide care with professionalism, compassion and dedication for our loved ones and give them the recognition they deserve,” SydWest’s Aged Care Services Manager, Mereline Murimwa-Rarami says.

“It’s been a particularly challenging eighteen months for aged care workers both in residential and home care services leaving many families and friends unable to visit loved ones in care for weeks on end.

“It often fell to the carers, the nurses and other staff to make up for that loss of family contact and become that crucial connection for frail and vulnerable older Australians.

“So, in the lead up to 7 August, we ask you to take time to think of the nurses, personal care workers, chefs, cleaners, gardeners, laundry staff, activities coordinators and administration staff when you next visit a loved one in aged care and say “thanks for caring”.

ACED will feature a #ThanksforCaring social media campaign with videos, stories and photographs that acknowledge Australia’s aged care workers.

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL MEDIA RELEASE

31 July 2023

Removal of settlement service accessbility constraints – is it financially viable?

Posted on 11/05/2023 | by Sydwest

SydWest Multicultural Services welcomes the Government’s decision to remove the 5-year eligibility criteria for migrants and refugees to access settlement services.

We also welcome the ease of cost-of-living pressures and the $4bn injection to fully fund frontline workers’ wages for the community sector, who play an integral role supporting some of the most vulnerable and marginalised members of our communities.

There is a mixed response of disappointment and concern about the lack of funding adjustment in the 2023 Federal Budget to facilitate the expected increase in service up-take.

SydWest, one of the NSW Settlement Partnership Consortium members that has been supporting migrants and refugees through its Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) program in the Outer West of Sydney, has been one of the partners on the receiving end of funding cuts, no provision for indexation, increased operational costs that may potentially paralyse and threaten the quality of its services, if these substantial issues are not addressed.

Read the full press release here.

SydWest Multicultural Services and Participate Australia join forces to benefit the community

Posted on 26/04/2023 | by Sydwest

SydWest Multicultural Services is pleased to announce the upcoming merger with Participate
Australia, effective 1 May 2023.

Participate Australia is an organisation that specialises in the provision of support services to people living with disability and their carers, bringing deep knowledge, skills, and expertise in disability services to further the range of SydWest’s operations.

This decision by both Boards marks a new chapter in our combined 80-year history and sends
a strong message to our sector. Our strengths need to be celebrated and leveraged, with the
community always at heart of what we do. This partnership will provide continuity of front-line services along with the opportunity to improve the customer experience and grow the capabilities of our dedicated workforces.

Read the full media release here.

Temporary Protection and Safe Haven Enterprise Visa Holders Now Able to Apply for Permanent RoS Visas

Posted on 14/04/2023 | by Sydwest

SydWest is pleased to announce that the Australian Government now allows Temporary Protection visa and Safe Haven Enterprise visa (SHEV) holders eligible to apply for a permanent Resolution of Status (RoS) visa, and to convert applications for TPV/SHEVs to applications for RoS visas.

If you have held or applied for a TPV or SHEV before 14 February 2023, you may be eligible for a permanent RoS visa.

People granted a permanent RoS visa will have the same rights and benefits as all permanent residents.

This includes no waiting period and immediate eligibility for:

RoS visa holders will also be eligible to:

become Australian citizens once they meet residency and other requirements
sponsor family to come to Australia under the family visa stream of the Migration Program.

Download Factsheet Here

Western Sydney Backswing starting now!

Posted on 20/02/2023 | by Vikki Hine

The Western Sydney Backswing project is a creative job preparation and employer engagement program, designed for people with a disability, including those from a multicultural background to improve economic participation.

Importantly, the project will give participants the skills to get a job, as well as a work experience with a local employer.

It’s all about raising awareness of the benefits of employing people with a disability, who may be from a CALD background. And it’s FREE!

If you want to know more or get involved, please contact Tony Maricic, Backswing Coordinator on Tel: 0439-536-407 or tony.maricic@sydwestms.org.au

A commended solutions provider

Posted on 16/02/2023 | by Vikki Hine

Our employment services were recently profiled in the Greater Blacktown News with ACU Report: Skilled Migrants Battle Job Lock Out published 23 November 2022.

GREATER Blacktown is seen as a hotpoint in the struggle of skilled migrants and refugees facing an uphill battle to secure work in the community…. read more

If you wish to read a copy of the report prepared by ACU for SydWest Multicultural Services entitled Migrating from Settlement to Prosperity – an evaluation of SydWest’s employability programs and services for recently arrived migrants and refugees in Blacktown and Mount Druitt, NSW, please click here.