Important Information for People Seeking Asylum
The ASRC is open during lockdowns and you can travel more than 10km to visit us (214-218 Nicholson Street). Please call 03 9326 6066* to make an appointment before you arrive (visiting hours 10am – 5pm, Monday to Friday).
For more information regarding available services and operating hours please see below.
*Due to a very high number of people calling, it may take some time to get through to ASRC Reception. Please keep trying. If you are still not getting through, stop and try again later. It might be best to call at 10am when lines first open, or later in the day.
URGENT: Seeking help for people in Afghanistan or are you from Afghanistan living in Australia and need advice about visa options? Click here
For legal assistance with TPV or SHEV Protection Visa Interviews (2015 – 2017) or expiring Bridging Visa E (Medevac refugees only) please click here
The ASRC in Footscray is open for appointments on Monday to Friday (10am – 5pm).
It is essential to call ahead and book an appointment before visiting. Please call 03 9326 6066*.
Fast Track Update: TPV/SHEV protection visa interviews are finishing in the next month.
If you have not had your interview with the Department and need help please call our hotline 0422 035324 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm) or email legal@asrc.org.au.
The application interview is your only chance to explain your case to the Department. Update your contact details with the Department to receive your Interview Invitation (the ASRC can also help you do this). See below for more information.
- If you were transferred from Nauru or PNG to Australia for medical treatment, and if your Bridging Visa E is due to expire soon, you should urgently contact the HRLP: hotline number on 0422035324 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or email legal@asrc.org.au and include ‘BV E Expiry’ in the subject line
- If you came to Australia by boat or were transferred to Nauru or PNG, you are subject to rules (called “bars”) in the migration law that prevent you from applying for a visa.
- You can only make a visa application, including for another Bridging Visa, if the Minister makes a personal decision to remove these rules (called “lifting the bar”) for individual applicants.
- If you try to apply for another Bridging Visa while the rules are still in place, your visa application will not be valid and cannot be considered. That’s why it is important to make sure you are eligible for another Bridging Visa (ie you already have a ministerial “bar lift”) before lodging the application for a new Bridging Visa.
- We are trying to confirm with the Department of Home Affairs the process for you to apply for another Bridging Visa, and we will provide updates as soon as they are available.
- In the meantime, you should make sure the Department has your current contact details to ensure you do not miss any notification from the Department of any “bar lift”.
For more information regarding available services and operating hours please see below.
*Due to a very high number of people calling, it may take some time to get through to ASRC Reception. Please keep trying. If you are still not getting through, stop and try again later. It might be best to call at 10am when lines first open, or later in the day.
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.
During lockdown, food packs are only available for takeaway.
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
During lockdown, meals are only available for takeaway.
HEALTHCARE
The Health Clinic is open Monday to 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 Monday – Friday and an ASRC caseworker will provide a call back.
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 11am – 3.30pm Monday – Friday.
If you have a baby, we may be able to support you with nappies. Please drop into the Material Aid desk between 11am – 3.30pm Monday – Friday.
If you are having trouble paying for other needs, we may be able to help. Please call 03 9326 6066 between 11am – 3pm Monday – Friday and an ASRC caseworker will provide a callback.
LEGAL AID – GENERAL
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 12:30pm.
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 to 2pm.
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 info sheets which may help guide you through different parts of the legal process.
LEGAL AID – FAST TRACK APPLICATION INTERVIEWS (URGENT)
TPV/SHEV protection visa interviews ending in the next month
If you applied for a TPV or SHEV visa between 2015 and 2017 and have not already attended a Protection visa interview with the Department, please contact the ASRC urgently for legal assistance.
CALL: 0478 700 605 (Monday, Thursday 10:30am – 12pm) or email legal@asrc.org.au
The application interview is your only chance to explain your case to the Department. Update your contact details with the Department to receive your Interview Invitation (the ASRC can also help you do this).
Click here to learn more (Info sheet Fast Track interviews)
Translations of the Fast Track interviews Info sheet:
EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT
The ASRC Employment Program has resumed appointments on-site, in addition to phone-based and online support to help you to find work.
If you are an existing member of the Employment Program, you can contact us by email, phone or Slack.
If you are not yet a member of the ASRC Employment Program, please contact us on 03 9326 6066 or click here for more information. Due to high demand, it may take us a week to respond to your query.
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 currently face to face, phone-based or online. On-site appointments are available at the Footscray Centre. Phone-based or online appointments will still be available after the on-site appointments.
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. You can book an on-site appointment at the ASRC Footscray Centre. Phone-based and online appointments will also be available. Please call the Footscray ASVET team on 03 9274 9834 or 9274 9807 (Monday to Friday) to book an appointment.
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.
What is Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19?
For more information about COVID-19 (translated) visit: sbs.com.au/language/coronavirus
Find out more information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19) – symptoms, travel and what to do to reduce risk of infection visit: dhhs.vic.gov/coronavirus
If you are feeling unwell with COVID-19 symptoms, please get tested at one of the official testing sites. Visit https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/getting-tested. The test is free for everyone. Please take proof of identity with you.
Information sheets
Information sheets about the following topics are available via the ASRC website
- Social distancing and isolation laws here.
- Coronavirus hotline and your entitlement here.
- How we can help you if you have lost work here.
- Other things you may need to consider here.
More information is available for parents and carers via the Department of Education and Training
Visit education.vic.gov.au
- Return to on-site teaching (translated)
- General advice (translated) under “Talking to your child”, “Advice in your language”
- Easy Read guide about talking to your children about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
If you are currently seeking asylum, reside in Victoria and have no income or very limited income you may be eligible for a once-off Emergency Relief Payment from the Red Cross. Find out more here.
Human Rights Law Program (HRLP) legal education infosheets
The following infosheets cover commonly asked questions and topics about the legal process for people seeking asylum in Australia. The infosheets contain general information and do not replace legal and migration law advice. You should not rely on the infosheets to make decisions about your immigration matter.
- HRLP Infosheet – Legal Sector Detention Fact Sheet (Short version) – December 2020 / Arabic Translation / Farsi Translation
- HRLP Infosheet – Legal Sector Detention Fact Sheet (Long version) – December 2020 / Arabic Translation / Farsi Translation
- HRLP Infosheet – Common Deadlines – updated June 2021
- HRLP Infosheet – Lodging a subsequent TPV/SHEV -updated May 2020
- HRLP Infosheet – Data breach – last updated August 2020
- HRLP Infosheet – Applying for Work rights – updated August 2020
- HRLP Infosheet – FCC Affidavit Guide – last updated August 2020
- HRLP Infosheet – Judicial Review at the FCC- updated August 2020
- HRLP Infosheet- COVID19 Jobkeeper and Jobseeker – updated August 2020
- HRLP Infosheet – Information for Ashmore Reef Arrivals -updated August 2020
- Important Information for People transferred from Nauru and PNG and recently released from detention with a Bridging Visa
Connect with us
Need help from the ASRC? Call 03 9326 6066 (Monday - Friday, 10am - 5pm) to book an appointment.