Northern Territory Government Response to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration – Inquiry Into Migrant Settlement Outcomes

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Northern Territory Government Response to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration – Inquiry into Migrant Settlement outcomes.

Introduction: The Northern Territory Government is responding to an invitation from the Joint Standing Committee on Migration’s inquiry into migrant settlement outcomes. The Northern Territory Government agencies will continue to support migrants, including humanitarian entrants through health, education, housing and interpreting and translating services and programs. The Northern Territory Government acknowledges the important role all migrants play in our society and recognises the benefits of effective programs and services for enhanced settlement outcomes. The following information provides details on these programs that support the settlement of the Northern Territory’s migrant community.

1. Northern Territory Government support programs for Humanitarian Entrants

Department of Health The Northern Territory Primary Health Network was funded by the Department of Health to undertake a review of the Refugee Health Program in the Northern Territory. The review informed strategic planning and development of the Refugee Health Program in the Northern Territory prior to the development of a tender for provision of these services. The primary objectives of the Program were to ensure:  increased value for money;  culturally safe and appropriate services;  greater coordination across all refugee service providers;  clinically sound services;  improved health literacy for refugees; and  flexibility around ebbs and flows of intake numbers. The review included:  a needs assessment to identify priorities ;  development of three options for models of care for the provision of coordinated primary health care; and  recommendations for strategic sector/system development to support best practice refugee primary health care. In brief, after reviewing the existing Northern Territory Refugee Health Services and the literature available the review recommended:  a primary care focussed model (already a feature in the Northern Territory);  an engaged/distributed GP model (involving choice of GP – a new feature for the Northern Territory);  improved integration of gateway, core and ancillary services for refugees facilitated by formal agreements between core and ancillary organisation to achieve consistency in the approach to promotion of refugee health and health system literacy; and  increased access to appropriate mental health services (facilitated by more structured and formal arrangements). In relation to national and international best practice strategies for improving migrant settlement outcomes and prospects, the report reviewed the national

Northern Territory Government Response to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration – Inquiry into Migrant Settlement outcomes.

and international literature on improving migrant outcomes such as models of care and coordinated care. This informed the recommendations detailed above.

Department of Housing and Community Services Housing Delivery and Service Delivery The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), through the Housing Delivery Division, is adopting a facilitative role in housing refugees in the private and affordable rental markets. Leasing arrangements will be subject to the provisions within the Residential Tenancies Act, and households will be required to pay four weeks bond in respect of dwellings leased, in addition to two weeks rent in advance. Given this need, DHCD provides access to the Bond Assistance Scheme by waiving the requirement to have lived in the Northern Territory for three months upon application. There may also be a need to waive additional requirements under the current policy that apply to rent thresholds relative to household income, where it is likely to prevent a family from securing appropriate accommodation. This would be considered on a case by case basis. The public housing eligibility criteria recognises people who are not Australian citizens if they have permanent resident status, a special category visa or a temporary protection visa. Bond assistance for eligible applicants is provided as an interest free loan and is also available to assist eligible applicants access the private rental market across the Northern Territory. Melaleuca Refugee Torture and Trauma Centre has advised that all refugee families resettled in the Northern Territory will need assistance with their up-front housing costs. The Housing Supply Division will seek to broker the most affordable leasing arrangements for households to minimise the potential for rental stress on families. Approvals under the current Bond Assistance Policy are made at the regional level by the relevant Client Services Manager. Although the current Bond Assistance Policy allows for exemptions to eligibility and limits in priority circumstances, approval is being sought to waive the above-specified requirements for all refugees being resettled in the Northern Territory for the foreseeable future. If approved, DHCD will ensure that Bond Assistance applications submitted by refugee arrivals are processed accordingly. Interpreting and Translating Services The Interpreting and Translating Service NT (ITSNT) works with government and non-government agencies to communicate effectively with clients who speak languages other than English. ITSNT provides face to face on-site interpreting services in migrant and refugee languages to ensure newly arrived peoples have equitable access to services in the health, legal, welfare and settlement sectors. ITSNT offers casual contracts to Darwin based interpreters who provide employment pathways for newly arrived people opting to resettle in Darwin. Developing a locally based workforce of interpreters will lead to greater civic participation and opportunities for migrants to integrate into mainstream Territory lifestyle.

Northern Territory Government Response to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration – Inquiry into Migrant Settlement outcomes.

ITSNT works closely with non-government humanitarian services such as the Melaleuca Refugee Torture and Trauma Centre and the Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory in providing much needed support to newly arrived refugees and migrants resettling in Darwin. The Australian Government’s discussion paper Australia’s Humanitarian Programme 2016-17 identifies that employment pathways and linguistic support leads to greater community harmony and participation in mainstream Australia. ITSNT works proactively with new recruits to ensure they are supported in gaining knowledge of the legal, welfare, health and schooling systems across Darwin.

Department of Education The Department of Education has four Intensive English Units which are located at Moil Primary School, Anula Primary School, Sanderson Middle School and Darwin High School. A new Intensive English program is commencing at Woodroffe Primary School in Term 1, 2017. Intensive English language classes prepare newly arrived students, who require a high degree of additional support to assist them to develop proficiency in English, for transitioning to mainstream classes. Engaging students in an Intensive English program enables them to develop:  English language skills and knowledge to communicate effectively in school and in the community;  understanding of schooling in Australia;  knowledge of the local community; and  skills and knowledge to successfully access pathways to further study and/or employment. Students transition from Intensive English programs when appropriate to engage in mainstream schooling. They continue to receive English as a Second Language instruction. Students generally remain in Intensive English classes for up to 12 months. Partnerships are critical to promoting better settlement outcomes for migrants. Schools rely on a range of organisations and services to assist and support students and families with settlement. This enables schools to focus on teaching, learning and working with students and families within the school context. For example:  the Melaleuca Refugee Torture and Trauma Centre, a community- controlled, not-for-profit association in Darwin, supports and assists refugee families that enrol their children in Intensive English Units with: o interpreting services at enrolment; o ensuring families commence school with completed enrolment papers and appropriate supporting documentation, such as passports or travel documents; and o ongoing support and assistance, through a case worker, with matters such as housing, health checks and medical appointments, and buying necessary supplies for school.  Buslink, a bus transport service operating in Darwin, provides free travel to students; this assists with building trust with families.

Northern Territory Government Response to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration – Inquiry into Migrant Settlement outcomes.

Support services such as these greatly assist schools in achieving the best outcomes for migrant students; however, some service providers are required to operate with large case-loads which can reduce the accessibility of case managers and impact the level of support they can provide. National and International best practice Intensive English teaching and learning strategies are employed at all Northern Territory schools that host an Intensive English Unit. A continuous improvement approach, based on research and experience, drives quality practice:  Learning is conducted in small group settings and is delivered by specialist teachers;  Bilingual officers support students and parents;  Home language maintenance programs are offered at some schools;  Refugee students and their families are linked with appropriate counselling services; and  Partnerships are established with expert organisations to provide ongoing professional learning to school staff on how to support students and families dealing with trauma. The ability to be literate and numerate in English is critical for young people to successfully complete their schooling, exercise choice about what they do in life beyond school, participate fully in the economic and social development of their communities, and become global citizens.  Upon arrival in the Northern Territory, and subsequently, enrolment into schools, school aged migrants are assessed to determine their education level and need in regard to English speaking, reading, writing and listening, as well as readiness for schooling. Ability levels are assessed to ensure the correct level of Intensive English delivery to each student.  Students receive Intensive English teaching and support until their skill level is sufficient to access mainstream education classes. The aim of all Northern Territory schools is to rapidly progress student achievement so that the young person is successful in mainstream schooling and ultimately, in tertiary learning.  Intensive English classes are held across all levels of schooling and are inclusive of all countries of student origin. Schools in the Northern Territory are characterised by cultural and socio-economic diversity. Therefore, language skills are embedded in a broad social and cultural context which helps to facilitate the successful transition of students from schools into wider society. Charles Darwin University offers an Adult Migrant Education program to new arrivals. Parents who learn English integrate more easily into the wider community and are able to access a wider range of services for themselves and their children. This contributes to improved education outcomes for the children.

Department of Territory Families - Family Harmony Program Funding is provided to the Melaleuca Refugee Centre to deliver the Family Harmony Refugee Parenting Support Program (in Darwin) to support migrant and refugee families to care for their children and maintain positive family relationships. The Family Harmony program covers child protection and

Northern Territory Government Response to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration – Inquiry into Migrant Settlement outcomes.

domestic violence legislation and responsibilities, the impact of trauma on family relationships and parenting skill development.

2. Support for Other Migrants

Department Trade, Business and Innovation Under the Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement, employers who sign Labour Agreements with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection to sponsor overseas workers are required to provide each of those workers with a Settlement Package, prepared by and available from the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation, before each worker lodges their visa application. The Settlement Package covers a range of information to assist their arrival in Australia and develop links with the broader community. Information covered includes local services such as health, emergency, education, banking, accommodation, living costs, transportation, weather, Australia’s legal system, workplace rights (conditions, taxation and superannuation), community activities, and religious services. This same Settlement Package is provided to successful Northern Territory nominated General Skilled Migration Program applicants who are not in Australia when they apply.

Department of Territory Families Office of Multicultural Affairs  The Northern Territory also receives other migrants from various visa streams, such as skilled migrants and family. These cohorts do not receive a high level of settlement support. The Office of Multicultural Affairs provides annual funding to the Multicultural Council of the NT (including Multicultural Youth NT) and the Multicultural Community Services of Central Australia to assist these migrants through the support programs as well as provision of advice and referrals to services. The services are provided in Darwin and Alice Springs.  The Office of Multicultural Affairs also provides advice and assessments of overseas qualifications. This free service has assisted migrants in obtaining employment and employers to better understand the educational level of the overseas qualification against the Australian Qualifications Framework.  The Office of Multicultural Affairs provides grants to multicultural groups, which includes a range of migrants to celebrate and strengthen their cultures. The grants are an important aspect of supporting community building and fostering social cohesion.  The Minister’s Advisory Council on Multicultural Affairs was established to provide advice on the participation of migrants and the promotion of cultural diversity in the Northern Territory’s social, economic and civic life as well as to explore social cohesion issues affecting the NT society. The key roles for members are to:

Northern Territory Government Response to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration – Inquiry into Migrant Settlement outcomes.

 Advise the Minister on matters of interest including emerging issues facing the multicultural community;  Explore and discuss how the needs of the community can be effectively met by service providers, so that members of the multicultural community can best participate in all aspects of life in the Northern Territory; and  Direct specific tasks to the relevant working groups as determined, to address issues such as health, employment, and community safety. The Advisory Council has provided people of migrant backgrounds and Non-Government Organisations working with migrants and the multicultural community to contribute to the improvement of policy outcomes.

3. Non-Government Agencies

Northern Territory service providers such as the Multicultural Council of the NT, Multicultural Community Services of Central Australia and Anglicare NT have indicated their intent to provide input on this submission through their respective peak national bodies such as the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia and Settlement Council of Australia.

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