Improving health and wellbeing for Victorians of refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds

The Network provides a platform for collaboration, service coordination, resources, training and advocacy to address the health needs and challenges experienced by Victorians from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds.

Learn more about the Network

Announcements

Migration Amendment Bills – focus on the health implications

Migration Amendment Bills Raise Alarming Health Concerns for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

The Australian government’s recent Migration Amendment Bills have sparked widespread concern among health professionals and human rights advocates, citing risks to refugees’ mental health and access to essential healthcare. Proposed changes include tighter visa requirements and expedited deportation processes, which critics argue could amplify anxiety, depression, and PTSD among asylum seekers already facing significant psychological distress due to past traumas.

Advocates are alarmed by restrictions on bridging visa holders’ access to Medicare, potentially leaving refugees without vital medical care and exacerbating health inequities. Healthcare groups urge the government to reconsider, warning of broader public health risks and the ethical imperative to ensure healthcare access for all. With parliamentary debate looming, the implications for refugees’ well-being are dire.

CRISP to be made a permanent program

Launched in mid 2022, the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) gives groups of locals the opportunity to welcome refugees into their community, supporting them from day one of their Australian journey. Following their pilot phase, the Australian Government made a recent announcement to make CRISP a permanent feature of Australia’s overall humanitarian program.

Local outbreak of measles in Victoria

Two new cases of measles have been reported in Victoria that have not travelled overseas, and have no known links to recent cases of measles. These cases were infectious at multiple locations in Greater Bendigo and metropolitan Melbourne. This means there is now local transmission of measles in the community.

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The Victorian Refugee Health Network is an initiative committed to improving the health and wellbeing of people from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds in Victoria.

The Victorian Refugee Health Network is funded by the Victorian Government’s (Department of Health) and auspiced by The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture.

Resources and referrals

The Victorian Refugee Health Network collates information on resources and referral pathways to health services (primary, specialist, mental health) that work with refugee/asylum seeker clients.

Here you can find referral information as well as tools and resources for health professionals when working with refugees and people seeking asylum.

Tools for health professionals

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Covid-19

Get the latest Covid-19 updates.

Health Translations

Latest news

Applications now open for the Victorian Government 2025 Interpreter Scholarship Program

Nov 15, 2024

The Interpreter Scholarship Program works to improve the supply, quality and use of language services in Victoria by offering scholarships to eligible students.

Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

Aug 21, 2024

The Victorian Government has released its response to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission). Victoria has carefully considered the Disability Royal Commission’s recommendations. It...

Use of hospitals and homelessness services in refugees and humanitarian entrant