Settlement Council of Australia

Settlement Council of Australia
Name	Settlement Council of Australia
Abbreviation	SCoA
Formation	1994
Type	Non-governmental organisation
Purpose	Settlement services coordination, policy advocacy
Headquarters	Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Region served	Australia

Settlement Council of Australia

The Settlement Council of Australia is a national peak body representing organisations that provide migrant, refugee and humanitarian entrant settlement services across Australia. It acts as an intermediary between service providers, federal institutions, state authorities, philanthropic foundations and international agencies, coordinating responses to resettlement needs arising from global crises such as the Syrian Civil War, the Afghan crisis (2021), and longer-term migration from regions affected by the Iraq War and Somalia conflict. The Council engages with metropolitan, regional and rural networks to support integration and community cohesion across states such as New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory.

History

Founded in 1994 by a coalition of settlement service providers, charitable organisations and ethno-specific community groups, the Council emerged in the wake of policy changes influenced by the Keating government and shifts following the asylum seeker debates of the 1990s. Early convenors included members drawn from organisations such as Australian Red Cross, St Vincent de Paul Society, and ethno-cultural bodies formed after the post‑World War II migration waves that involved communities from Italy, Greece, and Lebanon. During the 2000s the Council expanded its remit alongside national dialogues prompted by events like the 2001 Tampa affair and legislative reforms such as amendments to the Migration Act 1958, positioning itself as a key interlocutor in discussions with ministers and departments including the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (Australia), later the Department of Home Affairs. The Council’s history intersects with humanitarian resettlement programs coordinated with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and bilateral arrangements with countries affected by displacement such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Myanmar.

Structure and Governance

The Council operates as a membership-based non-profit governed by a board of directors drawn from regional settlement agencies, migrant resource centres, and peak bodies like the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia and state-based counterparts. Governance follows model constitutions similar to those used by organisations such as Anglicare Australia and Caritas Australia, with annual general meetings, executive committees and policy working groups. Its secretariat in Canberra coordinates national policy submissions, research collaborations with academic institutions including Australian National University and University of Melbourne, and liaises with parliamentary committees such as the Joint Standing Committee on Migration. The Council maintains advisory links with state ministers, local councils like the City of Sydney and regional development authorities.

Programs and Services

Settlement Council members deliver frontline services including casework, language and employment support, housing assistance and culturally appropriate mental health referrals. Programs are implemented in partnership with organisations like Neighbourhood Houses Victoria, Multicultural NSW, Settlement Services International, and the Australian Red Cross. The Council promotes best-practice toolkits in areas covered by standards such as those used by the National Disability Insurance Scheme where intersecting needs arise, and collaborates on workforce development with vocational organisations like TAFE NSW and universities offering courses in social work and migration studies. It also convenes national conferences, webinars and training in partnership with bodies such as the Lowy Institute and research centres at Monash University.

Advocacy and Policy Influence

The Council engages in policy advocacy on refugee intake levels, regional settlement planning, and integration measures, producing submissions to inquiries held by entities such as the Parliament of Australia, the Australian Human Rights Commission, and the Productivity Commission (Australia). It has participated in public campaigns alongside civil society coalitions including Amnesty International Australia, Refugee Council of Australia, and faith-based networks like Uniting Church in Australia advocacy groups. Issues addressed include family reunion, visa pathways influenced by the Policy on family reunion debates, and welfare arrangements related to the Centrelink system. The Council has briefed ministers and shadow ministers from parties such as the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal Party of Australia, and engaged with crossbenchers and senators during legislative reviews.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding sources for the Council and its members include federal grants administered through programs formerly overseen by the Department of Social Services (Australia) and contracts under the Humanitarian Settlement Program, philanthropic grants from organisations like the Paul Ramsay Foundation and the Myer Foundation, and partnerships with international actors such as the International Organization for Migration. The Council works collaboratively with state agencies including Multicultural NSW and local health networks, and enters partnerships with research funders such as the Australian Research Council for evaluative studies. It also aligns with corporate partners and pro bono services from legal firms involved in migration law, linking with professional associations like the Law Council of Australia.

Impact and Criticism

The Council has been credited with strengthening coordination among settlement providers, contributing evidence to inquiries that shaped resettlement policy, and improving service standards cited by academic studies from institutions like Griffith University and University of Sydney. Critics, including some refugee advocacy groups and journalists from outlets such as the Guardian Australia, have argued that peak bodies can be constrained by funding frameworks tied to government priorities, potentially limiting advocacy scope; similar critiques have been leveled at other sector peaks like Jobs Australia. Debates continue around scalability of regional settlement models in locations such as Shepparton and Wellington comparisons, and the balance between government-contracted service delivery and grassroots community-led initiatives promoted by organisations such as ASRC (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre).

Category:Non-profit organisations based in Australia Category:Migration-related organisations