Modern slavery can take many forms and affect more Australians and communities than we realise. Women, children, refugees, people seeking asylum, and recent migrants including international students are most at risk.

Our SToP program works with multicultural communities to increase knowledge and understanding about modern slavery with a focus on forced labour, domestic servitude, and forced marriage. We offer in-language community education to help migrant communities recognise the signs of these issues and empower them to take positive action.

SToP is funded by the Attorney-General’s Department under the National Action Plan modern slavery grants program.

• Multicultural communities residing in NSW, Queensland and Victoria, including community and faith leaders.
• We welcome everyone interested in learning more about ending modern slavery, including schools, settlement and migrant agencies, and any other groups.

Modern slavery refers to situations of exploitation where an individual is unable to refuse or leave due to threats, deception, and coercion. It is an abuse of power where the basic human right of freedom is denied.

The Centre promotes specialist and culturally responsive support to address the diverse needs and experiences of migrant and refugee women and their children at risk or, or experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence.

We recognise the critical role that support services play in ensuring migrant and refugee women and their children’s safety and promoting family safety in multicultural communities.

We collaborate with services across women’s safety, multicultural and settlement sectors to ensure that effective, safe and culturally responsive services are available to those who need them.

The Centre collaborates with services to strengthen culturally responsive domestic, family and sexual violence case management and support when working with women, children and families from multicultural communities.

We provide cultural responsiveness and inclusive practice expertise and support, as well as advice on cultural, community and migration-related considerations.

We accept referrals to ensure migrant and refugee women and children receive the specialist domestic, family and sexual violence support they need.

The Centre contributes to developing evidence on safety considerations impacting women, children and families from multicultural communities. We consult with communities and engage in research collaborations to inform the design and delivery of services, develop policy advice, and improve responses to domestic, family and sexual violence in multicultural communities.

How we can support

• Consultation on complex cases and cultural considerations, and collaborative case management
• Referral pathways for specialist support
  Capacity building and collaborative initiatives to support culturally responsive practice
• Development of good practice models for enhanced service delivery
• Community engagement and awareness raising on the drivers of domestic, family and sexual violence and available support services
• Provision of population data and insights into emerging trends in communities.

Partner with us to promote safety for migrant and refugee women and children. Whether you seek expert advice on complex cases, wish to collaborate on research, or explore potential partnerships, contact us at safetycentre@ssi.org.au or 02 8111 7077.

Refer to us

Read this in your language.

Click on an in-language resource to print.

Note for service providers: Please consider your clients’ safety when providing them with printed copies.

If you are in immediate danger, please call 000

If you need an interpreter, you can request one in your language when speaking to the emergency operator. If you need police to attend your home immediately, have your address in English ready to inform them where you are.

If you are experiencing violence, please contact us by calling 02 8111 7077 to speak to the Centre’s team. You can request an interpreter.

We are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

If you are calling outside these opening hours, please leave a message and provide your contact information, and we will call you back.

Domestic, family or sexual violence includes a wide range of abusive behaviours or threats, both violent and non-violent, that occur within intimate (partner or spouse) or other family relationships, including:

• Other family or household members
• Carer relationships
• Cultural and kinship relationships
• Foster care relationships
• Blood relatives who do not live together.

Examples of domestic, family or sexual violence

• Emotional abuse
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Verbal abuse
• Financial abuse
• Technology facilitated abuse
• Psychological abuse
• Controlling behaviours.

Examples of abusive behaviour by a partner or family members

• You are being called names or being spoken to in a cruel or offensive way
• You are physically harmed or hurt
• You are threatened that your visa will be cancelled, and you will be sent back home
• You are not allowed to have your own money
• Your phone is checked or you are stopped from talking to friends and family
• You are threatened that your children will be taken away from you or will be hurt
• You are forced to do sexual things you do not want to do
• You are not allowed to practice your religion or culture.

The team can help you and your children. We respond with dignity, listen with empathy and offer safe, effective and confidential support in your language.

When you contact the Centre, you will speak to someone who understands you and can provide the assistance you need. We will provide you with information, advice and referrals to services best suited to you.

We will always prioritise your and your children’s safety and well-being.

Take the important step of reaching out to the Centre for immediate support. This brings you closer to a safer and healthier future for you and your children.

Contact us on 02 8111 7077.

The Centre promotes culturally appropriate, evidence-based and community informed responses to domestic, family and sexual violence in NSW, including in regional and rural areas.

We collaborate with specialist services and other support services to address the diverse needs of migrant and refugee women and children who are at risk of, or experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence.

Our tailored and comprehensive approach encompasses collaborative case management and support, community engagement and awareness raising, sector capacity building, consultation and research, development of evidence and good practice, and advocacy to drive systemic change.

We work across four focus areas: prevention, early intervention, response, recovery and healing.

Culturally responsive practice

We understand the importance of ensuring that domestic, family and sexual violence solutions meet the needs of communities in all their diversity. Our work is grounded in cultural responsiveness and informed by evidence and community insights.

The Centre combines expertise in culturally responsive practice and forms of violence that are more likely to affect women, children and families from multicultural communities, such as migration-related abuse, multi-perpetrator violence, dowry abuse, forced marriage, and domestic servitude.

We work with victim survivors and communities to address these complex issues. We also collaborate with services to effectively work with migrant and refugee women, children and families, and ensure culturally responsive support.

Individuals

We provide specialist, culturally responsive support to migrant and refugee women and children who are at risk of, or experiencing, domestic, family and sexual violence. This includes:

• Support for the immediate safety of victim-survivors
• Collaborative, culturally responsive and holistic case management
• Support for socio-economic participation and community connection, and referrals to appropriate services.

Communities

We work with multicultural communities to support them with the knowledge and resources to effectively recognise, respond to, and prevent domestic, family and sexual violence. This includes:

• Community engagement and education on the drivers of domestic, family and sexual violence and available support services
• Empowering communities as social responders
• Supporting communities to lead positive change in attitudes towards gender equality and healthy relationships.

Sector and service delivery

• Expert advice and capacity building on cultural responsiveness in the context of family, domestic and sexual violence
• Collaborative case management, particularly for complex cases
• Promoting cross-sector collaboration and developing evidence to enhance policy and practice responses.

Supported by funding from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, The Rights Path (TRP) project will see SSI collaborate closely with NDIS providers and engage participants from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds across NSW, QLD and VIC. Together we will design, test and disseminate resources that will empower individuals to access safe and high-quality NDIS supports and services. Additionally, NDIS participants will gain a deeper understanding and agency to act upon their rights of choice, control, and the right to voice grievances. 

The project will draw on the lived experiences of CALD participants, their supporters (carers and family members) and providers. Together we will convene consultation and design workshops, develop and disseminate digital resources in four languages for NDIS participants (Vietnamese, Khmer, Punjabi and Urdu), deliver a workshop for NDIS providers with SSI’s Diversity Training on Culturally Responsive Practice in a disability context, and host a webinar to launch the resources to NDIS providers and workers nationally. 

We understand that returning to work after a long time can be a daunting experience. But there’s never been a better time for women to get back into the workforce! We help women from diverse backgrounds to gain confidence and make the most of employment opportunities. 

Are you thinking about returning to work after a long break?  

Our program is designed exclusively for you. We understand the unique challenges that women from diverse backgrounds face, such as childcare responsibilities and language barriers, and we’re here to support you on your employment journey. We provide training, mentorship and pathways to employment opportunities so you can return to work with confidence.  

Are you contemplating a return to the workforce, but the path seems challenging, especially with childcare concerns and language barriers?

With our free program you can receive a custom plan and guidance from career experts to help get you back into the workforce and in a job that’s right for you and your family.  

Our Return to Work program provides targeted support to women in south west Sydney who are looking to re-enter the workforce after an extended break. With a customised career roadmap and flexible support for busy women and mothers, our wraparound support can help you to confidently return to the workforce. 

• A woman, 
• Aged 25-44, 
• Living in south-western Sydney (Liverpool, Fairfield, Campbelltown and Canterbury-Bankstown LGAs),  
• Have been unemployed for an extended time,  
• Looking to return to work with flexible and fulfilling employment?  

Talk to us! Our program is designed exclusively for you. We can help you get job-ready and find your ideal job.  

This program is funded and delivered under the Return to Work Pathways Program by the NSW Government, administered by Women NSW.  

SSI was one of six organisations chosen by the federal government to grow, upskill and support Australia’s home care workers to ensure senior Australians can access the care they need to remain independent at home.

The Department of Health and Aged Care (DOHAC) has notified us that the Home Care Workforce Support Program (HCWSP) will end across all States and Territories on 30 June 2024. A revised program will launch in late 2024 with a focus on regional, rural and remote areas.

SSI is proud of what this program has achieved across New South Wales and the ACT and deeply values the relationships built with our industry providers and partners. We are focused on sustaining the program’s impact and are working closely with the industry and government in this process.

We remain committed to working in the aged care sector to meet the needs of Australia’s seniors, both today and into the future.

Our Home Care Staffing Support initiative helps eligible Home Care Providers in NSW and the ACT boost their team in an easier, faster and more affordable way.

We have joined forces with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) registered platform Hireup to connect Home Care Providers with Hireup’s thousands of trained and verified support workers.

Eligible Home Care Providers will receive a subsidy from SSI to cover 50 per cent of the wages of casual workers hired through this initiative.

The Home Care Staffing Support rebate will be available for eligible home care providers until 28 June 2024 for hiring workers via Hireup who are registered participants of HCWSP. This means the 50% wage subsidy only applies to staff who registered for HCWSP before 31 March 2024.

As part of delivering the HCWSP, we have developed an industry-first initiative that intends to bring a standardisation tool to the care sector – the Care Career Passport.

The document provides tangible evidence of a candidate’s career milestones consolidated in one place.

Throughout the duration of the program, we sent out over 4000 Care Career Passports to workers in the industry.

During our initial engagements with communities, it became clear there were no tangible resources to assist and develop those seeking a career in home care.  We saw this gap and worked closely with industry professionals to create the Care Career Roadmap. The roadmap provides a clear pathway for career progression and highlights complementary roles and their requirements.

There are many jobs that a career in home care can open up to, such as:

• Nursing
• Occupational therapy
• Allied health
• Speech pathology
• Paramedic roles
• Medical officer roles
• Counselling roles
• Geriatrics.

The cultural diversity of Australian seniors and personal care workers continues to grow.

The feedback we received from the industry was that there was a need for practical training directly addressing the real-world cultural challenges faced by workers. We created the Culturally Responsive Support e-module to meet this need. This training program aimed to unlock the proven benefits of a person-centred approach for Australia’s ageing population by significantly raising the skill level of direct care workers in interacting with culturally diverse seniors. In doing so, reducing the barriers for seniors accessing healthcare increases customer satisfaction and business performance for aged care providers, and improves retention of direct care workers within the short-staffed industry.

The Culturally Responsive Support Module contains 7 short modules that can be completed anywhere on a laptop or mobile device.

• Caring for people from culturally diverse backgrounds
• Culturally responsive support
• What is culture?
• Communication
• Getting to know your client
• Understanding trauma
• Looking after yourself

Our team supported participants throughout their home care career journey with a carefully curated range of training opportunities.

Created by SSI Training and Education our new worker essentials modules covered a range of topics including:

• Maintaining a Healthy Body
• Culturally Responsive Support
• Skills Needed in Aged Care
• Collaborating with a Client
• Aged Care Code of Conduct

In addition, we partnered with EQUIP to deliver the EQUIP Aged Care Learning Packages. Developed by the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre these entry-level modules have been carefully curated to give the foundational knowledge to lay the path for a successful career in homecare and boost employability.

Topics included:

• Aged Care Code of Conduct
• Person-centred care
• Exploring the role of nurses, personal care workers and allied health professionals working in aged care
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness.

Through partnerships with Registered Training Organisations across NSW and ACT, we were also able to offer accredited training for career advancement. Courses we assisted with included:

• Certificate 3 in Individual Support (Ageing)
• Certificate 4 in Ageing Support
• Certificates 3 and 4 in Allied Health Assistance
• Certificate 3 in Health Services Assistance
• Diploma of Nursing
• First Aid

Our case studies show firsthand perspectives of the impact and benefits of the HCWSP. Ranging from care workers to case managers, each person’s story offers a unique insight into the aged care sector.

Support for Aged Care Providers – Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (DOHAC)

Resources for Providers (Aged Care Commission)

Aged Care Business and Workforce Advisory Service

The Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA)

For people with lived experience of disability, connecting with the community plays a big role in improving wellbeing and happiness. It can help you gain new skills, connect with like-minded people and build a life that you enjoy.

Connecting with your community is all about participating in activities outside your home or virtually through online groups. It includes socialising with people and doing things that interest you.

Everyone has different needs, so it’s important to stay connected in a way that suits you. Check out the resources below to get started.

Joining a peer-to-peer disability group is a great way to get extra support and make new friends.

In these regular meetings, people living with disability get together to talk about their challenges and goals. They share useful advice and discuss topics like NDIS services or disability in the workplace.

There are also groups open to family members and carers who provide disability support.

Watch the video to hear from participants what benefits they got out of joining a group.

In 2020, SSI started running disability support groups in multicultural communities across NSW called the Multicultural Peer Network (MPN). The program was funded through the Department of Social Services (DSS) and ended in early 2023.

After the program ended, SSI sought to empower the disability community to continue to benefit from the resources created during the program. These resources are now publicly available for anyone to use, free of charge.

The MPN was a collection of impactful, peer-led support groups which promoted independence among people with lived experience of disability from multicultural communities, as well as their carers and families.

To learn more about the resources on this webpage, facilitator training or other ways SSI supports community organisations, email community@ssi.org.au.

For more information about SSI’s disability support services in NSW, please visit our Local Area Coordination services page or email ssilac@ndis.gov.au.

SSI provides personalised employment support for people with disability. Find out more here or email the team on employment@ssi.org.au.

Join the community of hundreds of volunteers who give back to their local communities with SSI. Explore volunteering opportunities on our volunteering page or email volunteer@ssi.org.au.

SSI delivers Local Area Coordination services to residents in:

Canada Bay, Leichhardt, Marrickville, Strathfield, Ashfield, Burwood, Sydney.

Bankstown, Camden, Campbelltown, Canterbury, Fairfield, Liverpool, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly.

P: 1800 960 975
E: ssilac@ndis.gov.au

If you have any questions or enquiries specifically about the NDIA and not LAC please contact the NDIA Contact Centre on 1800 800 110

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 000

If you are having thoughts of suicide, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14