Settlement & Family Services

In settling into a new country, newly arrived migrants and refugees often have lots of questions about various Australian systems and their own particular situations. For the newcomers in the northern metropolitan region of Melbourne, Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre provides information and answers to questions about the broad range of settlement-related issues that face a newly arrived person. These may involve questions such as:

  • Is there an employment service I can go to that is familiar with working with newly arrived migrants and refugees?
  • How do I sponsor a relative to come to Australia?
  • Who can assist me to find a house to live in?
  • How do I know if I'm getting the right amount of social security/Centrelink payments?
  • Where can I learn to speak English?
  • What do I have to do to have my trade/professional qualification recognised in Australia?
  • Some members of my family need medical treatment – where can I find the sort of health services they need?
  • I have a house but no money for furniture – how can I get some furniture?

Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre has bilingual staff and provides culturally appropriate assistance to clients experiencing settlement related difficulties. Our staff speak a wide range of languages, and on-site interpreters or the telephone interpreter service can be used to help people communicate in their own language

Want to come and see us?

If you have wondered about the answer to one of the above questions, or other questions, come to our office at 251 High St, Preston and take advantage of our Intake Service, no appointment is necessary: the first 6 clients to register for the Intake Service are given a half hour interview with the Intake Worker.

Intake Service - times and locations

  • 251 High Street, Preston: Mon, Tues & Wed (1 to 4pm) & Fri (10am to 1pm).
  • 13 Munro Street, Coburg: Mon, Wed & Fri (9.30am to 12.30 pm).
  • 1/1100 Pascoe Vale Road, Broadmeadows: Mon & Wed (1 to 4pm).

To talk with a Spectrum Caseworker you need to make an appointment: call (03) 9496 0200 or visit our office.