Settlement Engagement and Transition Support Program

The Australian Government is inviting organisations via an open process to apply to deliver services under Program 2.3 Refugee Humanitarian Settlement and Migrant Services in the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support Program from 2024 to 2027.

The purpose of the SETS program is to equip and empower humanitarian entrants, other vulnerable migrants and their communities, with the knowledge and tools to address their settlement needs in order to improve social and economic participation, and community connectedness. The program focuses on building independence, self-agency, self-efficacy, and personal well-being.

Successful providers must manage demand for SETS services within their budget and should utilise case management tools to assess clients' strengths and needs at intake to appropriately triage and manage caseloads. This may include implementing processes such as appointments and/or waitlisting for clients with less urgent needs, or referral to other available services, including other SETS providers. It is expected that SETS providers will collaborate with other settlement providers in their region to maximise support and outcomes for eligible SETS clients.

Providers should target and prioritise supports for the following priority groups:

• people who first arrived in Australia less than 5 years ago
• people requiring urgent assistance, including for example, those with emergency health and wellbeing issues and/or issues associated with family or domestic violence
• individuals who require one-off or short-term support with a significant life change or event
• dependents, often women, who have otherwise prioritised the needs of their family and delayed their own engagement with settlement services
• individuals with prolonged issues of low literacy and English language proficiency
• individuals with critical settlement needs where there are no other available settlement or mainstream services through which they can receive support for their needs
• older migrants or individuals who arrived at a young age and have been in Australia for over 5 years, but develop issues as they grow older
• new and emerging ethno-specific:
  • communities, community leaders and emerging community representatives and
  • organisations with limited corporate capacity.

Providers can support clients outside of these priority groups, however, providers should give consideration to the type and level of support required based on client need, budget limitations and relevant program outcomes when considering how to support clients outside of these priority groups.