Settlement Services
Regional Profile #9
Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
Regional Profile #9 Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
Contents
About Wagga Wagga………………………………………………………………………………………….3
Service providers……………………………………………………………………………………………...4
Accommodation……………………………………………………………………………………………….4
Education……………………………………………………………………………………………………….5
Health Services………………………………………………………………………………………………..6
Employment Opportunities………………………………………………………………………………….6
A welcoming community…………………………………………………………………………………….7
DSS wishes to express its thanks to St Vincent De Paul and the Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga Inc
for compiling this material.
While every care has been taken, DSS makes no guarantees that the information provided is up to date.
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Regional Profile #9 Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
About Wagga Wagga
Wagga Wagga has a population of around 64 000.
Since November 2005, the Riverina Consortium has welcomed over 611 families and more than 1 685
individuals from many nations within Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Clients have settled in Wagga Wagga,
Griffith, Albury and Wodonga.
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Regional Profile #9 Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
Service providers
The onshore Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) will provide early practical support to refugee and
humanitarian entrants on arrival, and throughout their initial settlement period. Service providers deliver the
program on behalf of the Australian Government and assist clients to build skills and knowledge for social
and economic wellbeing through a needs-based case management approach.
Support through the HSP will aim to provide refugees and humanitarian entrants to Australia with the
knowledge, skills and independence to commence their new lives and contribute to the economic and social
fabric of Australia.
HSP service providers work with clients to identify their needs and goals and develop an individual case
management plan. Service providers support clients to achieve outcomes in:
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Housing;
Physical and Mental Health and Well-being;
Managing Money and Transport;
Community Participation and Networking;
Family Functioning and Social Support;
Justice;
Language Services;
Education and Training; and
Employment.
Accommodation
Compared to other major cities in Australia, Wagga Wagga offers more affordable housing.
Most houses are within five km of the Central Business District and easily accessible to public transport.
Example of housing
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Regional Profile #9 Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
Education
All education institutions in the region offer services to refugees and humanitarian entrants, including preschool, primary, secondary and tertiary.
Primary and High Schools:
 South Wagga Public School
 Tolland Public School
 Lake Albert Public School
 Ashmont Public School
 North Wagga Public School
 Mt Austin Public School
 Kapooka Public School
 Turvey Park Public School
 Uranquinty Public School
 Wagga Wagga Public School
 Mater Dei Catholic Primary School
 Wagga Wagga Christian College
 Holy Trinity Primary School
 Scared Heart Primary School
 Lutheran School Wagga Wagga
 Henschke Catholic Primary
 The Riverina Anglican College
 Kildare Catholic College
 Wagga Wagga High School
 Mount Austin High School
 Kooringal High School
Schools
Further Education
Riverina TAFE Wagga currently offers Vocational Education and Training, allows student to study units from
TAFE courses and gain valuable work-related skills, knowledge and real-life experience.
Information on courses available at Riverina Institute of TAFE can be found at:
http://www.rit.tafensw.edu.au/
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Regional Profile #9 Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
Information on courses available at Charles Sturt University can be found at: http://www.csu.edu.au/
English language Tuition
The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) is delivered in Wagga Wagga by TAFE NSW and provides
English language tuition to eligible migrants and former refugees to help them learn foundation English
language and settlement skills.
Further information on the AMEP is available at:
https://www.education.gov.au/adult-migrant-english-program-0
Once clients are fluent in English they may choose to study in the areas of aged care, hospitality and
bridging courses to continue on to university study.
Health Services
The Wagga Refugee Health Assessment Clinic operates on Mondays from the Wagga General Practitioners
After Hours Service facility. It is staffed by General Practitioners and a refugee health nurse both with a
special interest in refugee health.
Comprehensive health assessments and appropriate follow-up are undertaken for newly arrived
humanitarian entrants. Ongoing care is provided by the General Practitioner of the patients’ choice.
Employment Opportunities
Jobactive providers in Wagga Wagga are:
 Sureway
 Summit
 Workforce On Tap
 Skilled.
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Regional Profile #9 Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
A welcoming community
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Riverina Consortium has a very strong and well established volunteer program
Centrelink has a Multicultural Service Officer based in the Griffith office who works in Wagga as
required
Centacare offers counselling for families
Church groups are very supportive
Wafrica is the Wagga African Association, which represents the various African cultures living in
Wagga and acts as a bridge between African community members and the rest of Wagga
Burmese migrants have formed a strong community and make new arrivals from their country very
welcome.
Wagga Library offers a large range of resources in different languages.
Fusion Multicultural Street Festival
http://www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/city-of-wagga-wagga/community/multicultural-wagga/fusion
Multicultural Advisory Committee
The City of Wagga Wagga Multicultural Advisory Committee draws its membership from the broad range of
multicultural groups and agencies across the municipality. The committee meets four times a year and
advises the council on policies and plans that support our multicultural community.
Local Multicultural Community Groups, Services & InformationThere are many local
Multicultural Community Groups, services & information in Wagga Wagga.
Parks
Shopping Centres
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Regional Profile #9 Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
Recreation
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