Certain children entering Australia may be eligible for support through the Department of Home Affairs’ Unaccompanied Humanitarian Minors (UHM) Program if they:
- hold a refugee or humanitarian visa, and
- enter Australia without a parent or legal guardian.
The UHM Program provides:
- care
- supervision
- accommodation
- settlement support.
Children eligible for UHM Program services may be:
- under the guardianship of the Minister, as provided by the
Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1946 (IGOC Act), or
- living in Australia under the care of a relative aged 21 years or over.
The Minister can delegate most of the Minister’s powers and functions to authorised Commonwealth, state and territory government officers, known as IGOC delegates, to carry out guardianship responsibilities.
Program support for children
Contracted service providers, and State and Territory Child Welfare Authorities (STCWAs) deliver UHM Program services.
Depending on the circumstances, the department may refer a child to:
- a contracted service provider to act as their custodian
- a STCWA officer to act as IGOC delegate under the IGOC Act or,
- a contracted service provider or a STCWA officer to provide case management services only.
Access to other government services
Children under the UHM Program can also receive support through the Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) when they arrive in Australia. The HSP helps people settle into life in Australia and generally provides support for 6 to 18 months.
Children with complex needs may receive extra support through Specialised and Intensive Services under the HSP. These services can continue for up to five years after the child arrives in Australia or receives an eligible visa.
Children who meet the eligibility requirements may also access:
- Centrelink payments
- other Australian Government benefits
- state, territory and local government services and support.
