Free settlement support services (SETS and migrant resource centres) guide

Free settlement support services (SETS and migrant resource centres)

An honest, official-source overview of SETS and HSP — the free settlement support programs the Australian government funds and delivers — covering who is eligible, how to apply and use them, and alternatives for those who are not eligible.

What is SETS — free, government-funded settlement support

SETS (Settlement Engagement and Transition Support) is a free settlement support program funded by the Department of Home Affairs and delivered by local not-for-profits and migrant resource centres (MRCs). It provides orientation, service referrals (health, housing, education, employment information), and casework (individual consultations and referrals to organisations) to help newly arrived eligible migrants settle into life in Australia. This guide covers the 'government-funded settlement support program itself'. For a general first-month checklist covering accommodation, banking, and transport, see the settling guide, and for income support payment eligibility and waiting periods, see the centrelink guide.

SETS · HSP · AMEP · Centrelink — telling the four apart

Here are four things that are often confused early in settlement. SETS is settlement orientation, service referrals, and casework (broadly, usually up to 5 years). HSP is intensive early support exclusively for refugees and humanitarian entrants — narrower and more intensive than SETS. AMEP is a separate free English classes program; see the amep-english guide. Centrelink (Services Australia) is the counter for income support payments, and its residency requirements and waiting periods are covered in the centrelink guide. Free interpreting through TIS National and the like is covered in the interpreting-services guide.

How to apply and use it — finding a provider and the intake

You do not use SETS through a single online application form — you contact a designated service provider in your area directly. After finding the provider for your area (a migrant resource centre and the like) through the Home Affairs settlement services page and GrantConnect (which lists designated funded organisations), you book an intake (intake / needs assessment) by phone, email, or in person. If English is difficult, you can request interpreting support.

What happens at the intake

A caseworker assesses your needs — housing, health, education, employment information, local resources, and so on — and refers you to the organisations you need or points you to orientation and information sessions. Applying for income support itself is handled through Centrelink, but SETS plays the role of guiding and connecting you so that you understand that process and the local resources.

Your area's postcode — the responsible provider differs by region.
Visa details (subclass, grant date, arrival date) — needed to confirm eligibility.
The language you need an interpreter for — requesting it in advance when booking makes the consultation smoother.

SETS has no single central application portal. The local provider is the point of contact, and this guide does not single out or recommend any particular provider — confirm the current provider for your area through the official directories.

Eligibility — who can receive it, and who is not eligible

SETS eligibility is not open to all new migrants; it is limited to holders of new permanent visas, humanitarian visas, and certain family stream visas, generally within the first 5 years after arrival (including some temporary visas on a pathway to permanence). International students, working holiday makers, and a large share of skilled migrants with good English are not eligible. Because the eligibility requirements and the 5-year window change from time to time, confirm the current criteria on the official Home Affairs SETS page, and for an individual decision, contact Home Affairs or a MARA (OMARA) registered migration agent (see immigration-consult).

Eligible (typically): humanitarian and refugee visas, family stream permanent visas with lower English proficiency, and some temporary visas on a pathway to permanence — within 5 years of arrival.
Not eligible (a large share): international students, working holiday makers, and many skilled migrants — though they can still use Ask Izzy, the general (non-SETS) services of a local MRC, AMEP if eligible, and TIS interpreting.
How to check: confirm the current eligible streams on the official Home Affairs page, and individual eligibility with a MARA (OMARA) registered migration agent.

"All new migrants receive SETS for free" is a common misconception. Even if you are not eligible, you can get help through the general services of a local migrant resource centre or a free community directory like Ask Izzy.

Types of settlement support — SETS, HSP, community capacity, and alternatives for the ineligible

It helps to understand settlement support as four broad strands. Work out which one applies to you, and even if you are not eligible, look at the alternative paths below as well.

SETS Client Services (individual casework)

Provides eligible individuals and families with needs assessments, orientation, and referrals to organisations. It is the key service that opens up the unfamiliar avenues of early settlement.

HSP (intensive humanitarian support)

Exclusively for refugees and humanitarian entrants, providing high-intensity early settlement support and case management right after arrival. It is narrower and more intensive than SETS, and individual placement is determined by your visa and circumstances.

SETS Community Capacity Building (local capacity)

Not individual consultations but projects that build the settlement capacity of local communities and organisations (group activities, network building). Individuals are connected to related activities through providers.

Alternatives for those who are not eligible

Those who are not eligible, such as international students and working holiday makers, can turn to Ask Izzy, the general services of a local MRC, AMEP if eligible, and TIS interpreting. These are official and public resources, not paid commercial businesses.

Usage tips — 5 ways to make proper use of the services

Five things to help you make proper use of the services without wasted trips.

First confirm your eligibility and the current criteria on the Home Affairs SETS page, then find a local provider — this cuts down on wasted trips.
Letting them know your interpreting language in advance when booking makes the consultation far smoother (for the interpreting mechanism, see the interpreting-services guide).
Having your visa documents (grant date, arrival date) and postcode ready speeds up eligibility checks and matching to your area.
SETS is centred on 'connecting'. It is efficient to understand the flow of moving on to Centrelink for income support, AMEP for English classes, and TIS for interpreting.
Even if you are not eligible, don't give up — first look up Ask Izzy or the general services of a local MRC.

5 common misconceptions and mistakes

Common misconceptions and mistakes early in settlement.

The misconception that 'every new migrant is eligible for free SETS' — in reality it is a limited cohort centred on humanitarian, certain family, and new permanent visa holders.
Confusing SETS with AMEP — SETS is settlement referral and AMEP is English classes; they are separate and applied for individually.
Mistaking SETS for the Centrelink payments counter — income support eligibility and waiting periods fall under Centrelink (see the centrelink guide).
Believing a particular provider or MRC is an 'official recommendation' — providers rotate by region and contract, so you must confirm directly through the official directories.
Trusting outdated eligibility and figures from internet blogs — eligibility windows, funding periods, and designated organisations change from time to time, so always check the official Home Affairs pages.

Useful official links

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is SETS, and how is it different from AMEP and Centrelink?▾

SETS (Settlement Engagement and Transition Support) is a free settlement support program funded by the Department of Home Affairs and delivered by local not-for-profits and migrant resource centres (MRCs), offering orientation, service referrals, and casework. AMEP is a separate free English classes program, and Centrelink (Services Australia) is the counter for income support payments — these are different schemes. For English classes see the amep-english guide, and for income support eligibility see the centrelink guide.

Can every new migrant receive it for free?▾

No. SETS is generally limited to holders of new permanent visas, humanitarian visas, and certain family stream visas who are usually within their first 5 years after arrival. International students, working holiday makers, and many skilled migrants are not eligible. Even if you are not eligible, you can still use free local service directories like Ask Izzy, the general (non-SETS) services of a local MRC, AMEP if eligible, and TIS interpreting.

How does SETS differ from HSP?▾

HSP (Humanitarian Settlement Program) is an intensive program exclusively for refugees and humanitarian entrants, providing high-intensity early settlement support and case management right after arrival. SETS is a broader program that helps a wider group of people transition into settlement for up to 5 years. Individual placement into either program is determined by your visa and personal circumstances — check eligibility on the official Home Affairs pages.

Can I use it if my English isn't very good?▾

Yes, you can use it. If you let them know in advance which language you need when booking your intake appointment, you can receive interpreting support. For the specific mechanics of free interpreting (TIS National, etc.), see the interpreting-services guide. This guide covers the settlement support program itself, not interpreting.

Does it cost anything?▾

The settlement support services under SETS and HSP are free for eligible people (they are government-funded). However, separate external professional consultations — legal, immigration, medical, and so on — may involve a fee. It does not mean "it's free so anyone can get it"; you can only use it for free if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Where do I check whether my visa makes me eligible?▾

Check the current eligible streams on the official Home Affairs SETS page. The eligibility window (such as the first 5 years) and the eligible visas change from time to time. If you need an individual decision on whether your visa makes you eligible, contact Home Affairs or a MARA (OMARA) registered migration agent, and for advice specific to your visa subclass see the immigration-consult guide.

How do I find the nearest migrant resource centre (MRC) or provider?▾

You can find providers in your area (migrant resource centres and the like) through the Home Affairs settlement services page and GrantConnect (which lists organisations designated to deliver government-funded services). Providers rotate by region and by contract, so this guide does not single out or recommend any particular organisation — always confirm the current provider for your area through the official directories.