Important Information for People Seeking Asylum

ASRC services operating to support you

FOODBANK

If you are a person seeking asylum and need access to food, please call 03 9326 6066 and we can help you.

If you are a current ASRC member, eligible to access the Foodbank, please call 0402610740 to arrange a day and time to collect food packs from the Footscray centre from 11:00am – 3:30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.

FOODBANK HOME DELIVERY – NOT AVAILABLE

ASRC Foodbank no longer runs a home delivery service. Members must now book an appointment to collect food packs from the Footscray centre.

To change your appointment day/time please call 0402610740 or email foodbankbookings@asrc.org.au.

MEALS – NOT AVAILABLE
Take away meals are currently unavailable.

HEALTHCARE

The Health Clinic is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for in person appointments between 10:30am and 4:00pm.

To make an appointment you can contact the Health Clinic between 10:30am and 4pm 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 11am – 3pm on Monday / Tuesday / Thursday / Friday and a call back from an ASRC caseworker will be organised for you.

If your need is urgent and the ASRC is closed, you can call the Victorian statewide crisis accommodation support directory on 1800 825 955

BASIC NEEDS

If you need to use public transport, we may be able to support you with Myki. Please drop into the Material Aid desk between 10.30am – 3.45pm Monday / Tuesday / Thursday / Friday.

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 11am – 3pm on Monday / Tuesday / Thursday / 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 11am – 3pm on Monday / Tuesday / Thursday / 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 a new client, you can call our legal advice line on 0478 700 605 on Monday and Thursday between 10.30am to 12pm.

If you are an existing legal client, you can call our duty line on 03 9274 9889 on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 10:30am – 12:30pm and 1:30pm – 4:30pm.

If you are in detention, you can email us at legal@asrc.org.au. Please note that we will not respond to email requests from persons who are not in detention.

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 operating a phone-based and online support to provide you with assistance in finding work.

If you are an existing member of the employment 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, support, advocacy or refer you to other ASRC services and external services in the community.

Please call 03 9326 6066 between 11am – 3pm on Monday / Tuesday / Thursday / Friday and an ASRC caseworker will provide a call back. Please do not come to the centre unless you have phoned first and made an appointment.

EDUCATION

ASVET appointments for advice, information and referrals are available over the phone online and in-person until further notice. To make an appointment Please call the Footscray ASVET team on 03 9274 9834 or 9274 9807 (Monday to Friday).

Dandenong members who need an appointment for advice or a referral to an ASVET course, will need to contact the ASRC Footscray Centre to arrange a phone-based or online appointment. Until further notice appointments, onsite will not be available at the ASRC Footscray or Dandenong Centres. Please call the Footscray ASVET team on 03 9274 9834 or 9274 9807 (Monday to Friday).

DETENTION RIGHTS ADVOCACY PROGRAM (DRAP)

The DRAP team is available 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 during business hours.