Humanitarian Settlement
Services
Regional Profile #15
Townsville, Queensland
HSS Regional Profile #12 Townsville, Queensland
Contents
Humanitarian Settlement Services
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Contents
2
About Townsville
3
Service providers
4
Accommodation
4
Education
5
Health Services
5
Employment Opportunities
5
A welcoming community
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DSS wishes to express its thanks to Townsville Multicultural Support Group (TMSG) for compiling
this material.
While every care has been taken, DSS makes no guarantees that the information provided is up to
date.
For further information on the Humanitarian Settlement Services programme see:
Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS)
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HSS Regional Profile #12 Townsville, Queensland
About Townsville
Townsville is a city on the north-east coast of Australia and is the largest urban centre in north
Queensland. Townsville has a population of 195 000 and has a higher number of young people than
the national and state average.
According to the 2006 Census, 17 982 people or 11.6 per cent, were born overseas. The number of
refugees settling in Townsville has increased in recent years and there are now small populations
from a range of African countries: Congo, Somalia, Sudan and Rwanda. More recently, diverse
groups from Burma and Bhutan have settled in Townsville.
December is the warmest month of the year with an average maximum of 31.4 °C (88.5 °F) and
minimum of 24 °C (75 °F). In the coolest month of July average maximum is 25 °C (77 °F) and
minimum 13.5 °C (56.3 °F). Townsville experiences tropical cyclones between November and May.
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HSS Regional Profile #12 Townsville, Queensland
Service providers
Humanitarian Settlement Service (HSS) services provided in the region focus on helping refugees to
gain access to mainstream services such as Centrelink, Medicare, banks, general and specialist
health and medical services, English language tuition, training and employment, in addition to links
to the community and community organisations.
Townsville Multicultural Support Group (TMSG) is the main service provider in Townsville delivering
services on behalf of the Department of Social Services (DSS). TMSG provides settlement
programmes and small educational programmes to assist people to connect with the local
community and to move towards independence and integration in a multicultural society. One of
their aims is to bring together people of diverse background in a spirit of friendship.
Accommodation
TMSG helps clients find properties to rent based on factors such as family size, family income and
individual family circumstances. All properties for clients are near public transport and reasonable
distances by bus or foot to shopping centres, local corner stores, medical facilities and schools.
Since Townsville is a small city, distances are short and travel from one end of the city to the other
takes only one hour by public transport and costs around $4.70. TMSG abides by strict guidelines
when helping clients to find properties to rent, for example, all adult children must have their own
bedrooms. This means that the size of a house the family can rent will depend on the number and
age of individuals in the family.
As of September 2012, average rent for a three bedroom house in Townsville is $315 per week and
for a four bedroom house $350 -$400 per week. Generally, two or three bedroom units will be part of
a block or complex of units while three or four bedroom houses are generally free standing. The
raised “Queenslander” houses are popular as they are suited to the humid and hot Townsville
weather.
Examples of housing in Townsville.
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HSS Regional Profile #12 Townsville, Queensland
Education
There are primary and secondary schools in Townsville.
Clients can learn English at the Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE Townsville – Pimlico Campus. It is
located within the suburbs of Townsville at the corner of Hugh Street and Fulham Road. The Pimlico
campus has plenty of parking and bus route 203 stops at the Fulham Road entrance. The campus
has its own cafeteria, library, and beauty salon with cafes and services located nearby.
Currently around 200 migrants and refugees are accessing the Adult Migrant English Program
(AMEP) and Literacy and Numeracy Programme (LLNP) classes. Newly arrived refugees are
assessed, allocated an appropriate class level and commence classes within the first 2 weeks of
term. Assistance with arranging child care can be provided or in some instances, home tutors can be
arranged.
For clients over 21 years of age, completing a Certificate III or IV in most TAFE courses allows them
to prove their ability to succeed at university and is accepted by the Queensland Tertiary Admissions
Centre. Volunteers can support clients studying at these levels at TAFE. Some of our clients have
successfully entered university by completing a three month bridging course at James Cook
University.
Health Services
There are a variety of health services available including local doctors, clinics and hospitals. In
addition, Queensland Programme of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma (QPASTT)
operate 20 hours per week.
The Multicultural Mental Health Coordinator Nurse works within Queensland Health to assist staff in
ensuring that culturally appropriate services are provided in mental health assessments and
treatment.
Employment Opportunities
Townsville has a large army base and many government workers as well as mining and processing
industries and a large industrial port.
A large proportion of refugees find work initially in the local meatworks. Other seasonal work occurs
from October through to December with mango picking. Some clients have obtained seasonal work
on banana plantations. There is a local meatworks which is interested in providing opportunities for
newly arrived refugees and migrants. However, transport is not readily available and people share
cars or use bicycles if possible. There are no formal arrangements in place.
Some local church groups have arranged work placements through members of their congregations.
Some community service organisations have also assisted in finding employment.
Job services agencies also take an interest in supporting refugees.
A welcoming community
Townsville has a number of groups which actively support refugees –both in the initial settlement
phase and ongoing. Volunteers under the TMSG umbrella provide English language support to
clients in their homes, assist with shopping and access to social and recreational activities.
Weekly English support classes are conducted at TMSG on Fridays and a monthly multicultural
women’s group is arranged by volunteers. This group organises information sessions and
opportunities for people to interact through activities and to develop friendships. A weekly sewing
group is conducted by volunteers.
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HSS Regional Profile #12 Townsville, Queensland
The following church groups provide volunteer support:
 Catholic Church Society of St Vincent de Paul
 Baptist Church
 Seventh Day Adventist Church
 Pentecostal Church.
A range of ethnic community groups are very willing to provide friendship through social and cultural
activities.
Community groups such as Rotary, Soroptomists and Lions are interested and active in supporting
refugee families directly, including support for learning to drive, employment opportunities,
advocating for support from business groups and raising funds for specific needs such as school
supplies.
Centrelink has a centrally located Multicultural Liaison Officer (MLO) with strong links with TMSG
and allied service providers. The MLO conducts information sessions to newly arrived entrants and
to groups of people on request about budgeting, Centrelink services and eligibility requirements.
The MLO is proactive and very supportive of refugee entrants, assists clients to access Centrelink
services independently and ensures that Centrelink staff are aware of and responsive to the needs
of refugees.
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