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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Useful official links
- Home Affairs — Settling in Australia (호주 정착)(opens in a new window)
Home Affairs Settling in Australia — an overview of government-funded settlement services such as SETS and guidance on providers.
- Home Affairs — Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP)(opens in a new window)
Home Affairs Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) — information on intensive early settlement support for refugees and humanitarian entrants.
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