Migrant Support

Migrant Support

The Orange Migrant & Refugee Support Service provides information, referral and individual casework support to newly-arrived refugees and vulnerable migrants living in Orange, with outreach services in the Central West to Lithgow, Cowra, Cabonne, Orange, Parkes, Forbes and out to West Wyalong, Condobolin and Lake Cargelligo local government areas. Orange City Council’s Migrant Support Officer is funded through the Department of Home Affairs.

The Aim of the Migrant Support Service is to:

• Provide information, referral and casework services for refugees and vulnerable migrants of up to 5 years residence in Australia;
• Provide community support through information sessions and group development;
• Offer support for, and partnership with other providers to ensure their awareness of settlement needs and the facilitation of cultural awareness training throughout the year;
• Offer assistance for Culturally And Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community members to integrate into the community;

Regional Multicultural Interagency

The Regional Multicultural Interagency group meets annually in Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo, and Lithgow. Contact our Migrant Support Officer for dates and venues.

More resources

• For translator Interpreter Services (TIS) phone: 13 1 4 50
• Migration Agents from Legal Aid Sydney office are available for telephone consultation on 02 9219 5790    (Immigration advice by phone with a solicitor – for the first 10 callers each day 9am – 1pm).
  • If you have any questions about family migration, permanent residence, Australian citizenship or other immigration related matters, consider using the opportunity to speak to a qualified officer.
  • Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS) Address: 1-3 Eurimbla Avenue Randwick NSW 2031  Phone 8355 7227  EMAIL:  admin@racs.org.au
  • Immigration Advice and Rights Centre (IARC)   Address: Level 5, Kent Street Sydney  NSW 2000  EMAIL :  iarcadmin@iarc.sn.au   Tuesday and Thursdays 2 – 4pm

The Orange Multicultural Network (OMN)

Network meetings are held twice during each school term at the Community Services Centre, 286 Lords Place Orange. An annual meeting of the OMN and the Regional Multicultural Interagency is held in the Councillors Work Room, Civic Square Byng Street, Orange.

For information on dates, please contact Council’s Migration Support Officer.

Mentor Connections

Community volunteers undertake training, induction and cultural awareness before linking with families to provide social and emotional support as the families settle into the local community. The program is beneficial to both parties.

The Mentor Connections brochure has more information.

Women’s Arts and Sewing Circle

The Mums and Bubs sewing and English class meets fortnightly on a Friday at Ngluluway Ngurang  (aka Senior Citizens Centre), 77 Kite Street Orange. Access is available via the Woolworths car park, at the side of the building. Come along and share morning tea, meet new people and learn some basic sewing skills. Also meeting at the same time as able is the TAFE Outreach.

People attending are invited to bring along a small plate of food to share.  Entry cost is a gold coin donation. All welcome, including children.

For bookings or further information, please contact Community Information and Services Centre on 6393 8600

Informal Support

From time to time, the Orange service encourages local residents to join in opportunities such as Learn to Swim classes.