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Red Cross has been administering the Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme (ASAS) since its inception in 1992.
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The scheme is funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, and provides financial assistance and health care to asylum seekers living in the city.
Caseworkers assist people to meet a wide range of needs including health support, counselling, accommodation, material aid, education and legal referrals, and social support.
The scheme operates in each State and Territory. |
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Services
All services are provided free of charge. They include:
- income support to cover basic living expenses (89% of Centrelink Special Benefit)
- general health care including pharmaceutical
- Health Services Australia medical costs
- casework support
- referrals to other agencies (legal, medical, counselling, social, education, housing, material aid).
Eligibility
Eligibility of those with a current on-shore Protection Visa (refugee status) application and awaiting a decision is determined by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. These clients should fall under one of the following categories:
- unaccompanied minor
- elderly person
- person unable to work due to effects of torture & trauma, a disability or illness (mental or physical)
- parent with child under 18 yrs old
- full-time carer
- pregnant women
- person who is the spouse, de facto or sponsored fiance of a permanent resident
- financial hardship must be a result of change in circumstance beyond the applicant's control since arrival in the migration zone.
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