Settling Smarter focuses on settlement information, advice, orientation and support to ensure social participation, economic well-being, independence, personal wellbeing and community connections.

Who we work with

We support young people who:

  • are aged between 12-25 years old
  • have been in Australia 5 years or less
  • live, work or study in metropolitan Melbourne
  • are in the process of permanent settlement in Australia, including humanitarian entrants and other eligible permanent migrants, excluding Australian citizens.

What we do

The goal of Settling Smarter is to help newly arrived young people learn more about life in Australia, understand systems, navigate and connect to local support services and build independence to achieve their own goals in relation to work, education, skills and community networks. Our work covers the following areas:

  • settlement orientation
  • life skills information
  • education/training/employment
  • health services
  • housing and accommodation
  • family life and relationships
  • Australian legal system
  • financial management

What we offer

Settling Smarter offers newly arrived young people the opportunity to take part in three areas:

  • Individual Support

A holistic and flexible one to one service designed to meet the individual needs of youth.

We support young people through casework with an initial assessment to understand their needs. From there, a youth worker will develop a personalised plan to ensure the young person builds independence, confidence and knowledge to overcome settlement barriers in education and work, along with meaningful community engagement and connections.

Youth workers work in partnership with local councils, service providers and community organisations, to help provide information and advice, advocate for the young person, or facilitate them to and access relevant services and opportunities, to overcome settlement issues.

  • Group Programs

Comprising of five informative and interactive program sessions, group programs are delivered to schools and community groups on local life in Australia, culture and systems, to help young people build independence, connect with local services, participate in their local community and develop a sense of belonging. Additional tailored session(s) are delivered and lead by Youth Leaders, created in response to the needs of the group.

Group Sessions are delivered using an engaging combination of presentations, interactive activities, stories and visits to local services. We cover a range of settlement topics that have been informed and designed by youth leaders from migrant and refugee backgrounds including:

  • Education
  • Employment
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Social service
  • Legal
  • Social & recreational
  • Family relationships
  • Building community connections and networks.

Programs are co-delivered by youth leaders who have a lived experience of settlement in Australia. Youth leaders use their own knowledge and lived experience of migration to assist newly arrived newly youth with individualised settlement support.  

  • Employment Mentoring

We provide vital first steps for young people aged 18-25 years looking to secure meaningful employment and fulfil their potential. We help ensure young people are equipped with the skills to become independent and confident job seekers, through mentoring in employment preparation, career planning, resume writing, job applications, interview skills and building networks and rights or responsibilities in the workplace.

Professional mentors are matched one to one with a young person to provide individualised support that focuses on the young person’s goals. Mentors support youth to understand the Australian employment systems to achieve their aspirations in relation to work and training.

Settling Smarter is funded by the Australian Government through the Settlement Engagement and Transitions Support (SETS) program.