Vulnerable temporary visa holders who live in southern Sydney and are adversely affected by COVID-19 can access greater support from Advance Diversity Services (ADS) thanks to a $40,000 grant received last month from Multicultural NSW.

Temporary visa holders from South East Sydney, St George, Sutherland or surrounding areas who are facing financial hardship can receive emergency food and supplies, medical support, telecommunications, transport and essential housing (i.e. crisis accommodation and rent payment) via ADS.

CEO of ADS, Antoinette Chow, said the funding is critical to ensuring the wellbeing of vulnerable temporary visa holders who have increasingly been at risk of hardship since the onset of the pandemic.

‘ADS and other specialist migrant and settlement services have been doing what we can to assist these people with essentials, but the grant makes it feasible for us to offer dedicated emergency support.’

To receive this support from ADS, people must:

  • Currently reside in NSW  
  • Demonstrate hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Not receive any income assistance (regular living allowance payment) from the Commonwealth Government
  • Currently hold a temporary visa which may include (but is not limited to) one of the following:
    • Temporary Working Visa Holders
    • Provisional Visa Holders 
    • Partner and/or Prospective Marriage Visa Holders
    • Bridging Visa Holders (excluding people seeking asylum) 

This includes all visa sub-classes who are deemed as temporary visa holders with the exception of asylum seekers* and international students** as they have been covered in previous funding measures.

Those seeking emergency support must also make an appointment with ADS by phoning its office on (02) 9597 5455. Please also phone for further information, if required.

Ms Chow said ADS was pleased to receive this NSW Government funding from Stream 1 of the Vulnerable Temporary Visa Holders Funding Tranche 2 Grants Program.

‘The $40,000 grant has boosted our capacity to provide essential services and emergency relief to people at the margins who are struggling in these difficult times.’

Extra support during COVID

Migrant Resource Centres, such as ADS, have been at the frontlineof providing extra support to members of the Australian community during COVID – and particularly to international students and asylum seekerswho have had limited overall support from the government. 

ADS is grateful to have received a number of grants to support this work from:

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*Asylum Seekers should be referred to one of the following funded organisations:

  • The Salvation Army
  • Settlement Services International
  • St Francis Social Services – House of Welcome
  • Asylum Seekers Centre
  • Jesuit Refugee Service
  • Australian Red Cross

**International Students should refer to the Study NSW website for further support.