18 May 2018
Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS) is a program that supports vulnerable migrants waiting for decisions on a visa applications, including people seeking asylum. On 1 May 2018, a new model was brought into effect that reduces the SRSS program in size, and updates the support services to be more tailored to meet individual needs.
The two services contracted to provide SRSS in Victoria, Life without Barriers and AMES Australia, will be providing advice to the Department of Home Affairs regarding the circumstances that impede clients’ abilitities to gain employment and engage in the Status Resolution process. The Department of Home Affairs has nominated four categories of ‘vulnerabilities’ they will consider.
Those considered not vulnerable will be removed from the SRSS program, and those already identified as vulnerable by the SRSS providers will be reviewed by the Department of Home Affairs to assess whether they are still eligible for SRSS support.
What you can do:
- Identify if you are seeing clients who receive SRSS
- Review these clients to identify barriers to employment that arise from the four categories of vulnerability
- Gain informed consent from the client to share information with the SRSS provider and their contractor as the Department of Home Affairs
- Write a brief letter regarding the history of health services provided, the ongoing care a person is receiving, medications, care responsibilities, immediate stressors and a brief description of the impediment to work (see advice about preparing letters for people seeking asylum)
- Provide a copy of the letter to the client and to the SRSS provider
- Respond to any inquiries from SRSS providers and the Department of Home Affairs (with consent from client)
For more information (including categories of ‘vulnerabilities’), see the Victorian Refugee Health Network’s info sheet.
