We’ve been supporting refugees and migrants for nearly half a century.

And what we know deeply is that quality settlement support makes a profound difference for individuals, families and communities.

Because we’ve seen it, and in many cases, our staff themselves have lived it.

Developed with Deloitte, our Settlement and Family Services teams contributed both client and clinical insights over more than a year to the Accelerating Outcomes research.

Spectrum’s CEO Rebecca Power joined SCOA and sector partners in a Research Committee to bring together this data that underpins the lived experience, generational narratives and inter-sector outcomes of migrants and refugees in Australia.

The report found that the impacts of early settlement support were seen most strongly in people’s employment, education, English language skills and independence.

People supported by services like Spectrum, early after arrival in Australia were more likely to be employed, complete trade or technical qualifications, speak English confidently, use public services, understand their rights and responsibilities, and feel connected to their communities.

Settlement support cannot remove every challenge people face.

Many humanitarian entrants arrive having experienced significant trauma, interrupted education, disrupted careers and long periods of instability.

However, early support helps people overcome barriers sooner and build the skills, confidence and connections they need to participate fully in Australian life.

And when arriving in Australia, one quarter of new arrivals know nobody at all.

Given that family and community is often crucial to easier settlement, the role of settlement services like our Spectrum team, is clear – especially for those for whom they are the only advocate or connecting thread to Australian society.

Spectrum Senior Caseworker from Settlement, Amie Stanaway, shared pragmatic insights from her team, who work closely with newly-arrived people and families through the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) program.

Key to helping people access support, Amie explained, is building clients’ ‘settlement literacy’ – helping them understand what systems and supports are available, and how they can access or use them safely in order to make informed decisions.

She also reflected on the balance between providing all the support we can to clients, while also respecting their wellbeing, agency and autonomy.

What the report shows in detail, is that the further that settlement services can reach, the bigger their impact.

And thus it calls for continued investment and funding, to see this vital work through for the betterment of individuals, families and entire communities.

The Hon Dr Anne Aly MP, Minister for Small Business, International Development and Multicultural Affairs, recognised the impact of sector providers like Spectrum, not just in providing settlement services, but in bringing forth the data and humanity in this report.

Dr Aly continued, “Behind the data are human stories; people rebuilding their lives, parents creating new opportunities for their children, communities stepping up for one another, and organisations working every day to make everyone feel included.”

Spectrum CEO Rebecca Power reflected also on the contribution of our Settlement team, not only as sector professionals but individuals with lived experience that drives their work.