Victoria’s settlement sector reached an exciting milestone with the official launch of the Settlement Processes and Services Guide Website — a first-of-its-kind digital resource developed by the Settlement Leading Partners Network (SLPN) and unveiled at the Dandenong Civic Centre.
Where It All Started
The idea for the guide grew out of a very real challenge identified by frontline practitioners supporting newly arrived migrants and refugees through the SETS program. Too often, workers found themselves navigating complex, fragmented systems on behalf of their clients — without a clear, shared roadmap to guide them. The result was frustration, duplication of effort, and unnecessary barriers to achieving the best outcomes for people settling into their new communities.
Recognising this gap, South East Community Links, the Local Jobs Program and the Multicultural Offices team at Services Australia brought together key partners from the federal, education, employment and community sectors to explore a solution. After months of collaboration, consultation and deliberation, that vision became a reality with the launch of the Settlement Processes and Services Guide in August 2024.
The growing demand for the guide — and its rapid uptake across employment regions — led the partnership to take the next step: a dedicated website for the Settlement Leading Partners Network, launched today.
About the Guide
The Settlement Processes and Services Guide is a practical navigation tool designed to support frontline workers across the settlement sector. Developed through a partnership between the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Services Australia, Chisholm Institute, WISE Employment and South East Community Links, the guide gives practitioners a clear, accessible roadmap for supporting clients through the settlement journey — reducing duplication and improving outcomes for the people who need it most.
Since its release, several other employment regions have adapted the guide to create their own regional versions — a testament to how widely the need is felt across the sector.
Explore the Guide
If you work in settlement, employment, education, community services or government, we encourage you to explore the guide and consider how it can support your team and your clients. It has been built by frontline practitioners, for frontline practitioners — with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that settlement brings.
A Landmark Morning
The launch event brought together practitioners, partners and sector leaders for what was a genuinely special occasion.
We were honoured to have the event introduced virtually by Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill, whose support signals the national significance of this work. An inspiring address from SCOA CEO Maria Dimopoulos underscored the importance of this resource for the settlement sector at a national level.
Ruwanthi Mudannayaka, Team Lead Settlement and Inclusion at South East Community Links, offered a deeply meaningful perspective — illustrating the practical impact of the guide through the lived experience of a newly arrived refugee. Her address was a powerful reminder of why this work matters.
The website itself was showcased by SLPN working group member Katie Sheargold, before SECL CEO Peter McNamara facilitated a rich panel discussion exploring how the guide will support practitioners and improve service navigation for clients.
Thank You to Our SLPN working group members
We extend our sincere gratitude to the panel members who represented the full breadth of this collaboration:
Sean Teer — Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
Katie Sheargold — Local Jobs Program Support Officer
Vicki Selimi — Services Australia
Lu Zhang — Services Australia
Kylie Reid — Chisholm AMEP
Mary Gyurcsik — WISE Employment
Ruwanthi Mudannayaka — Team Lead Settlement and Inclusion, South East Community Links
Thank You to Our Partners
This initiative would not have been possible without the support of the broader settlement sector. Our sincere thanks go to the Department of Home Affairs, the Settlement Council of Australia and the SETS Community of Practice team from the Social Policy Group for their support in amplifying the impact of the guide and website across multicultural Australia.
We are also deeply appreciative of the feedback and contributions provided by sector partners including Wellspring for Women, Melbourne Polytechnic and WISE Employment — whos insights shaped a stronger, more useful resource for everyone.