Referral Process

Clients receive a comprehensive range of services including counselling (individual, family and/or group), mental health clinic services, complementary therapies and referral services that are free, confidential and voluntary. We also use professional interpreters as required.

Referrals are reviewed regularly and a Foundation House staff member will endeavour to contact you within five working days of receiving the referral.

• People can be referred to Foundation House whether they are newly-arrived or have been in Australia for many years
• Referrals are formally assessed and, if accepted, clients may be seen immediately or put on a managed waiting list
• Anyone can refer a person to Foundation House (e.g. GPs, Home Support Services and other service providers, schools, a family member, a friend or the person themselves)
• Interventions may be short, medium or long-term―appropriate intervention/s will be determined by the counsellor and client depending on the client’s needs

Eligibility criteria

Foundation House services are accessible to individuals who meet all of the following criteria:

• Have a refugee or refugee-like background
• Have a history of torture and/or other traumatic events prior to arrival in Australia or be an immediate family member of such a person
• Be experiencing psychological or psychosocial difficulties believed to be associated with their experience of torture and traumatic events
• Consent to receive our services
• Not pose an unacceptable risk to the safety of staff or other clients

General referrals

Applicable to:

• Permanent residents who meet the eligibility criteria
• Individuals on temporary residence visas who meet the eligibility criteria
• Individuals with temporary protection visas
• Individuals receiving support from the Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP)

Asylum seekers living in the community

Applicable to:

• Individuals with bridging visas who live in the community while their refugee cases are being assessed

Schools

Applicable to:

• Primary school students who meet the eligibility criteria
• Secondary school students who meet the eligibility criteria
• Family members of students who meet the eligibility criteria

Detention/Community detention

Applicable to:

• Individuals in detention or community detention who meet the eligibility criteria

Other

If you are uncertain about which form to use, please complete the referral form for Residents.

If you wish to refer your client to other relevant services, we recommend searching the Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide

Technical problems

If you experience difficulties accessing the referral forms, or have questions about the referral process, please call us on (03) 9389 8900.