Cabrini Outreach – Asylum Seeker Health Services
Enabling better health care and seeking social justice.
Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health Hub
The Cabrini Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health Hub provides access to a range of health services for people seeking asylum and newly arrived refugees who are Medicare-ineligible or who have limited/no income with complex health needs. To provide these services, we rely upon a mix of employed and pro bono staff to deliver primary health care, specialist mental health care, complex care coordination and our health waiver programs.
Our approach considers the psychosocial determinants of health, is recovery-orientated and grounded in trauma-informed practices, allowing us to holistically understand and address the unique needs of each person and family.
We work in partnership with many community-based organisations to support our clients including tertiary services, pharmacies, emergency relief services, housing support, legal and social services.
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General enquiries
T: (03) 9508 7000
F: (03) 9508 7001 -
Opening hours
Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm -
Email
healthhub@cabrini.com.au -
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Address
140 Westbourne Grove, Northcote VIC 3070
Located next door to St Joseph’s Church -
Emergency
If you or a loved one is in danger or is seriously harmed, call triple zero (000) for emergency services, or go straight to you nearest emergency department.
If you are not in an emergency situation and you need urgent GP care go to your nearest Urgent Care Clinic (https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/urgent-care-clinics) or contact Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (https://www.vved.org.au/).
If you, or someone you know, is having suicidal thoughts and is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000). For help and support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Services
Primary Health Care
- General Practitioner (GP)
- Refugee Health Nurse / Practice Nurse
- Pathology and Medical Imaging (in partnership with St Vincent’s Hospital)
- Immunisations
- Complex care-coordination
Specialist Mental Health Service
- Psychiatry
- Counselling with Mental Health Clinicians – psychology, social work, occupational therapy and nursing
- Secondary consultation
- Complex care-coordination
Health Waiver Program
- Emergency relief program to assist people with access to essential medications, glasses, hearing aids and other medical aids and equipment.
- Eligibility criteria apply
Eligibility and Fees
Eligibility
- People seeking asylum on a bridging visa who are Medicare-ineligible, or
- who have Medicare but no income with complex health needs
- Eligibility assessments include relevant visa documentation
Fees
- Bulk billed, or
- Free service
Referrals
This service is a referral based service for any person seeking asylum who is on a bridging visa. We welcome referrals from any service provider including but not limited to health services, case workers, community organisations, legal providers, education providers and settlement service providers.
Self-referrals are also welcome.
Key points
- All new referrals are triaged
- Clients undertake an eligibility and intake assessment
- Psychiatry referrals will only be accepted with a GP or specialist doctor referral letter
- Where possible, please provide visa documentation on referral
Primary health care referral form
This referral form is for GP and/or refugee health nurse care:
Download Primary Health referral form
Specialist Mental Health Service (SMHS) referral form
This referral form is for counselling and mental health care coordination:
Download Mental Health referral form
Psychiatry referrals
Psychiatry is a specialist service and requires a GP or other specialist doctor referral letter.
- The SMHS referral form above is preferable alongside the referral letter
Self-referrals
People seeking asylum may self-refer if they are not linked with any service. Drop-ins to the service are also welcome.
Health Waiver Program
The Health Waiver Program supports clients with access to essential medications, medical aids and equipment. Access to the program requires an eligibility assessment which will be undertaken once you are a client of the service.
The program provides access to:
- Essential medications
- Eye checks and glasses
- Hearing checks and hearing aids
- Other medical aids and equipment
Hume Whittlesea Pharmacy Waiver Program (HWPWP)
The HWPWP is part of the broader Health Waiver Program and is accessible to people living in the Hume or Whittlesea local government areas. It is a standalone waiver program for people seeking asylum who have Medicare and are attending a private GP practice. This program is implemented in partnership with Whittlesea Community Connections in Epping. (https://www.whittleseacommunityconnections.org.au/).
This program is not currently taking new referrals.
