MCCGC partners with Multicultural Australia to deliver Humanitarian Settlement Program on the Gold Coast

Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast (MCCGC) is proud to announce we are partnering with Multicultural Australia as their chosen subcontractor in the delivery of the Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) for clients in the Gold Coast region. We are excited to commence providing support to the clients under the HSP program as of 29th of May 2023 and will work closely with Multicultural Australia to ensure continuity of care to clients and communities through this transition.

Each year, approximately 1800 refugees and migrants settle in Queensland under Australia's Humanitarian Settlement Program. The program supports integration into Australian life upon arrival and often includes assistance with airport reception, short and long-term accommodation, referrals to services, connection to community groups and activities, English language skills, education, training and employment. Clients usually exit the program after receiving support for between six to eighteen months and then are referred to the longer-term settlement services program – Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) - which focuses on social participation, economic well-being, independence, personal well-being, and community connectedness within the first 5 years after arrival.

Multicultural Australia has been delivering the Humanitarian Settlement Program across Queensland for many years, working collaboratively with community partners to involve local communities in the design and delivery of settlement services.  MCCGC is the peak body for Gold Coast multicultural communities and has been supporting refugees and migrants through a range of programs for over 40 years.

Christine Castley, Multicultural Australia CEO, is confident that the partnership will benefit clients and the sector.

“Multicultural Australia has a longstanding relationship with MCCGC and is confident in its ability to provide continuity of care to clients and communities in the region,” Christine said.

“Our partnership with MCCGC is a commitment to work with sector peers on delivering services, informed by local knowledge, that best meet the needs of our clients and communities.”

“We are committed to client-centered, culturally humble, and holistic practice; and will ensure that all clients are well-supported and cared for in this transition.”

Shane Klintworth, CEO of Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast, sees the partnership as an opportunity to continue to provide quality care to clients in the region.

“We are very excited to be partnering with Multicultural Australia to deliver this important program. Our aim continues to be to encourage clients to have autonomy in their settlement journey, whilst working with their cultural and faith communities to enable connection and belonging. MCCGC is positioned well to carry out services to maximize clients’ full potential here on the Gold Coast.”

MCCGC is committed to providing clients with information on all the local Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) providers so that they can make an empowered choice based on their own unique needs once they exit the Humanitarian Settlement Program.  We will continue to ensure a collaborative and holistic approach to information and referrals to enable clients to self-determine which services and providers are best suited to them.

MCCGC will be recruiting experienced and qualified staff to carry out the program and continue to build our capacity over the next 18 months. We look forward to continuing to carry out the amazing work Multicultural Australia has done with the program on the Gold Coast to support as many newly arrived migrants and refugees transition to Australian life.

For more information on Multicultural Australia, visit https://www.multiculturalaustralia.org.au/.