Health Services

The ASRC Health Clinic has been offering free health services to people seeking asylum in Victoria since 2002 and is the largest facility of its kind in Australia. It provides a range of primary health services for people seeking asylum living in the community and prioritises people seeking asylum without access to Medicare, including:

• General Practitioners (GPs)
• Pharmacy support
• Immunisations
• Allied Health Services
• Mental Health Support
• Eye Care
• Women’s Health Clinic
• Referrals

The ASRC Health Clinic plays a vital role in upholding health as a basic human right. Services range from preventive and primary healthcare to critical support for those with complex or multiple chronic health conditions. The program facilitates activities to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent illness through ongoing health promotion and education. The clinic strives to provide collaborative care and to break down health barriers people seeking asylum face on a daily basis.

The program also participates in broader advocacy. As a member of the Victorian Refugee Health Network, the program advocates for better access to services and specialist care for people seeking asylum, while ensuring the healthcare needs of this community remain visible. For example, a partnership with St Vincent’s hospital in Melbourne continues to provide radiology and pathology services to the ASRC GP clinic pro bono. Another partnership with Daffey’s pharmacy in Footscray enables people seeking asylum to access cost effective medication who would otherwise not be able to due to the ineligibility of people seeking asylum to access a Health Care Card.

If you, or someone you know, are seeking this type of support, please see here for more information.