MEDIA RELEASE
18 July 2024

A new settlement partnership has been announced for Western Sydney which will provide services to support newly arrived refugees and humanitarian entrants through the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) program.

65% of all new refugee and humanitarian entrants arriving into NSW settle in Western Sydney. Western Sydney receives 25% of the total national refugee and vulnerable humanitarian intake (excluding Fairfield).

Led by SydWest Multicultural Services, the Western Sydney Region Settlement Consortium (WSRSC) is a newly established group of four (4) Migrant Resource Centres and multicultural community organisations who have significant expertise supporting new arrivals become self-reliant and a part of the broader Australia community.

Western Sydney is a hub for diversity and economic growth and as a region where newcomers settle, it will be supported by a consortium of long trusted and expert organisations.

Consortium partners are:

• SydWest Multicultural Services (lead)
• Accessible Diversity Services Limited
• Community Migrant Resource Centre
• Western Sydney Migrant Resource Centre

The SETS program is funded by the Federal Government through the Department of Home Affairs.

SydWest CEO Elfa Moraitakis said ”I am pleased to be leading this consortium and I am also pleased that our funding success reflects the government’s trust in us as an organisation”.

“Our approach as a consortium will be based around the unique needs of the individual or family and will strive to connect newcomers with services and assistance in their local area,” she said.

“And that is what our consortium partners do best – we all have extensive experience and we’re well connected to services that will help new arrivals feel part of the local community, assist with employment opportunities, learn English or join a local mother’s group.

“For our new arrivals, an important message is that we can continue to assist you and that is great news. And with this continued funding we can also reach out to new communities in Western Sydney who will settle in Australia through the Pacific Engagement Visa program.

Ms Moraitakis thanked SSI for establishing the first NSW Settlement Partnership and consortium in 2015.

She said the model was innovative because it drew together organisations with a long and proud history in migrant service delivery, providing an opportunity to share and build on best practice.

“We will continue this practice of leveraging years of settlement expertise to provide the best possible services to those who now call Australia home,” Ms Moraitakis said.

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Ends.

Media enquiries: Vikki Hine, Media and Events. E: vikki.hine@sydwestms.org.au or T: 0428 109 215 or Cindy Sciberras on 0412 897 286.