Background

The Status resolution support service (SRSS) is a program providing needs based supports to eligible non-citizens as their immigration status is resolved.  From 2014, SRSS replaced the previous CAS – Community Assistance Support (established 2005, changed to band 5) and ASAS – Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme (established 1992, changed to band 6). SRSS reduced from 2017, also with criteria for SRSS to stop (if a person was: working OR had sent/received money from overseas (limit $1000) OR granted a protection visa OR had a negative protection decision OR assessed as being employment ready by their SRSS provider). Historical manuals are available from 2018 and 2019. SRSS reduced further from 2020, when people in community detention (offshore medical transfers) not engaged in the US settlement process were transitioned onto a Final Departure Bridging Visa E (FDBVE).  

SRSS provides six levels (bands) of support: 

• Bands 1 and 2 are for unaccompanied minors (band 1=held detention, band 2=community detention).
• Band 3 is for people in community detention (residence determination) - predominantly medical transfers from offshore detention.
• Band 4 is transitional support for people being released from detention.
• Band 5 is for vulnerable asylum seekers.  
• Band 6 is baseline support.

Who is eligible?

SRSS is available for people who are unable to support themselves, can demonstrate hardship, and who are engaged with DHA to resolve their immigration status. People can apply if:

• They are on a bridging visa and have applied for protection, and face barriers to supporting themselves or resolving their immigration status.
• They have been recently released from detention (needs based transitional support).
• Their protection visa application is 'finally determined' and not subject to any form of merits review, or, they are on a BVE, and they experience exceptional circumstances (physical or mental health barriers impacting ability to resolve immigration status and engage in preparations for departure; life expectancy <12 months; on a departure pathway).

SRSS also applies for the cohort of asylum seekers in community detention. See Asylum seekers page. 

Clinicians should ensure SRSS providers and the DHA are aware of health status (with consent) to ensure accurate assessment of vulnerability where relevant. See form 1567 SRSS medical certificate and associated information sheet.

What does SRSS include?

SRSS can include casework, financial support, access to healthcare, including mental healthcare,  support to access housing and support to access education for children.

• Casework is provided through Life Without Barriers (all states) and SSI (Vic, NSW, ACT, Qld, NT, Tas, not WA or SA).
• Income support payments are equivalent to 89% Newstart for asylum seekers in the community, and 60% Newstart for people in community detention). Not everyone on SRSS receives financial support.
• See Services Australia information and application form. 
  

Supports and pathways

If loss of SRSS support payments poses immediate health risks and/or imminent destitution there are a number of supports and pathways available for people seeking asylum. 

The Victorian government has provided support packages for this group -  in 2017 and 2019-2020. The following list provides immediate connections for clinicians to find support. Also try AskIzzy and Community Hubs. 

• Education - free kindergarten, ASVET - Asylum Seeker VET program, ASRC education resources, University scholarships (require study rights).
• Employment - ASRC employment resources, Victorian Government Asylum Seeker and Refugee Internship program.
• Health - Better health channel summary. Asylum seekers in Victoria are eligible for most health services, including public hospital services, ambulance services in emergency situations, community health services, the Refugee Health Program, aids and equipment program, dental services and catch-up vaccination. 
  
• Housing -  ASRC, Baptcare, Uniting Lentara, Brigidine Asylum Seekers’ Project  and The Salvation Army can provide housing support. Asylum seekers may be eligible for the Housing Establishment Fund and other forms of homelessness assistance - call 1800 825 955.
• Household goods and emergency supports - ASRC food bank and material support, CatholicCare, Red Cross Emergency Relief, St Vincent De Paul Society Victoria, West Welcome Wagon.
• Legal support -  ASRC Human Rights Law Program,  Victorian Legal Aid,  Refugee Legal,  Justice Connect.
• Pharmaceuticals - ASRC and Cabrini outreach in Hume/Whittlesea provide pharmacy waivers (i.e. will supply pharmaceuticals for scripts from other providers). Both RCH Immigrant Health and Cabrini Asylum Seeker Hub provide free medications for current patients.
• Transport - PTV concession cards.

Individuals may re-apply for SRSS if their circumstances change - see DHA form 1445 (to get onto the program), form 1567 SRSS medical certificate and associated information sheet, and Services Australia information - this can also be used to apply for Medicare.

SRSS providers - contact details

• Life Without Barriers (LWB, all states) phone: 1800 414 232, email: NISS_SRSS_Intake@lwb.org.au
  
• SSI (Vic, NSW, ACT, Qld, NT, Tas) phone: 1800 279 586, email: srss.intake@ssi.org.au

_{Immigrant health clinic resources, updated August 2026, contact: georgia.paxton@rch.org.au}