Asylum seeker support
Supporting asylum seekers in the Australian community as they resolve their immigration status.
Life Without Barriers is one of two national providers of the Australian Government’s Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS), delivering tailored, short-term support to people seeking asylum based on their individual needs.
What is Status Resolution Support Services?
SRSS is a vital lifeline for people seeking asylum in Australia while they await the outcome of their protection applications. For people who are unable to support themselves, receiving support through the SRSS can be mean the difference between being able to build towards a stable life or not.
Getting support for yourself or someone else
Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or on behalf of someone else, our dedicated team are here to help you. You can contact us by phone, email or our simple webform to determine eligibility for support. We also have interpreters readily available if needed.
Broad support for people seeking asylum
We work closely with people seeking asylum to provide individual support that helps to build confidence and independence. Because every person’s situation is different, our case managers tailor support for each person to meet their individual needs. Supports offered by Life Without Barriers through SRSS include:
Financial support
We help people with accessing financial support, this includes things like income support when someone is unable to work.
Accommodation
We help people secure safe and stable housing, this can include making referrals to temporary and long-term accommodation providers.
Health care
We help people access healthcare including mental health services, referrals to and appointments with doctors, nurses and psychologists.
Caseworker support
We provide casework support and guidance for asylum seekers so they can access the services they need whilst awaiting their visa determination.
Education support
We help people get their children into school, and to navigate the enrolment process, ensuring families have the required resources.
Who we provide support to
Life Without Barriers supports people seeking asylum in Australia by helping them apply for services while they await resolution of their immigration status. Specifically, we support people who hold a bridging visa and have lodged an application for protection, who are:
Are unable to support themselves
Can provide evidence of hardship
Are engaged with the Department of Home Affairs to resolve their immigration status
When applying for SRSS, asylum seekers should know that evidence of meeting the eligibility criteria must be provided. This can include things like bank statements, proof of living arrangements and medical forms showing incapacity to work. Our friendly intake team can guide people seeking asylum on how to provide these.
For more details on eligibility, visit the Department of Home Affairs.
Real stories
Read real stories from the people Life Without Barriers has supported to find asylum and safety in Australia.
Immigration support with a trauma-informed lens
Life Without Barriers is the first settlement provider globally to be certified in CARE model – an evidence-based, trauma informed model developed by Cornell University. This means our team work with and alongside people seeking asylum to build confidence and competence on the path to supporting themselves. Learn more about the CARE model.
Image: Three Dynamo Melbourne FC players; Jack, Joshua and Sebastián, holding up t-shirts with the Life Without Barriers logo on them.
Fostering social inclusion through community sport
Life Without Barriers has partnered with Dynamo Melbourne FC, Australia’s most multicultural football club, to offer dedicated social football sessions for people seeking asylum and resolving their immigration status. Find out more about this novel approach to supporting asylum seekers.
Need support?
Do you need help for yourself or someone else? We can help you find out if you’re eligible for SRSS. If you need an interpreter, we can provide one.