Important Information for People Seeking Asylum

ASRC services operating to support you

FOODBANK
If you are a current ASRC member, eligible to access Foodbank and need food delivered to your home, please call 03 8537 9549 or email foodbankbookings@asrc.org.au. Food deliveries will occur throughout the week.

For all other enquiries related to access to food please call 03 9326 6066 and we can help you.

The ASRC Foodbank in Footscray is OPEN on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday during these times:

• 11am-12:30pm
• 1pm-3:30pm

MEALS
Take away meals are currently unavailable.

HEALTHCARE
The Health Clinic is operating reduced clinic hours and is OPEN for physical appointments between 10am and 4pm on the following days:

SEPTEMBER

• Monday 14th, Tuesday 15th, Thursday 17th September 
• Monday 28th, Tuesday 29th September

OCTOBER

• Thursday 1st October
• Monday 12th, Tuesday 13th, Thursday 15th October
• Monday 26th, Tuesday 27th, Thursday 29th October

To make arrangements for help on the other days you can contact the Health Clinic between 10am and 4pm (Monday – Friday) by calling 03 9274 9898 or emailing health@asrc.org.au.

If you are feeling unwell with COVID-19 symptoms, please get tested at one of the official testing sites. Click here for more information or visit https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/getting-tested. The test is free for everyone (see DHHS guidance here). Please take proof of identity with you.

If there is a medical emergency go straight to the Emergency Department of your nearest public hospital or call an ambulance on 000. In Victoria, hospital emergency services and ambulances are free of charge for people seeking asylum.

HOUSING
If you are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, please call 03 9326 6066 between 10am and 5pm (Monday – Friday) and a call back from an ASRC caseworker will be organised for you.

MATERIAL AID AND OTHER BASIC NEEDS
If you need to use public transport, we may be able to support you with myki. Please email material_aid@asrc.org.au or call 03 9326 6066 between 10am and 5pm (Monday – Friday) and a call back from an ASRC caseworker will be organised for you.

If you have a baby, we may be able to support you with nappies. Please email material_aid@asrc.org.au or call 03 9326 6066 between 10am and 5pm (Monday –  Friday) and a call back from an ASRC caseworker will be organised for you.

If you are having trouble paying for other needs, we may be able to help. Please call 03 9326 6066 between 10am and 5pm (Monday – Friday) and a call back from an ASRC caseworker will be organised for you.

LEGAL AID
The ASRC Human Rights Law Program can offer free legal advice and assistance to people seeking asylum who cannot afford a private lawyer and have no access to government-funded legal advice.

The ASRC legal team is currently not at our Footscray centre. Please do not arrive at the centre to see a lawyer at this time. If you are an existing client of the legal service you can call us on 03 9274 9889 between 10.30am – 2.00pm Tuesday / Thursday / Friday.

If you are a new client you may be able to access legal advice via phone by calling 0478 700 605 on Monday and Thursday from 10:30am to 12:00pm.

See below section for detailed legal infosheets which may help guide you through different parts of the legal process.

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT
The ASRC Employment Program is closed for physical appointments but can still provide you with assistance in finding work. If you are an existing member of the program you can contact us by email, phone or Slack. If you are not already a member of the ASRC Employment Program please contact 03 9326 6066 or click here for more information.

CASEWORK: Information, support and referrals
If you are new to the ASRC or are a current member you may be able to access a caseworker at the ASRC who can provide you with information, provide you with support and advocate for your welfare and refer you to other ASRC services and external services in the community.

Our drop-in service to access this support is not currently available. Please call 03 9326 6066 between 11am – 3pm on Monday / Tuesday / Thursday / Friday and a call back from an ASRC caseworker will be organised for you.

EDUCATION
The ASVET program is closed for physical appointments but is still providing phone-based course advice, information and referrals. To make an appointment (your appointment will be by phone), please call 03 9274 9807 or 03 9274 9834 between 10am and 5pm (Monday – Friday).

DETENTION RIGHTS ADVOCACY PROGRAM (DRAP)
The DRAP team is available as per usual to support our offshore and onshore detention clients. Please whatsapp us on the DRAP phone – (+61) 04 2667 9247 for one of our caseworkers to contact you.