Many of the "mainstream" community and health services listed in this directory are available and useful for all frail elderly and disabled people in the community including those from non-English speaking backgrounds. Many "mainstream" services have received cross-cultural training and have incorporated ethnic sensitive policies and practices. However, the importance of having services that are language and culture appropriate is attested by carers, clients and service providers. This section briefly lists NESB specific services that are available.

The South West Sydney Ethnic Aged Unit

The South West Sydney Ethnic Aged Unit has produced a number of publications and resources for service providers and consumers in translated languages.

Eg: Residential and Respite Care Options for Non-English Speaking Background Aged in NSW; A Time to Care-helping people with Dementia and their families (book and video in Arabic, Greek, Pollish, Spanish, Croatian, Vietnamese, Chinese and German).

The Ethnic Aged Health Advisor is able to offer advice, resources and cross-cultural training for service providers. For information on resources available contact

The Ethnic Aged Health Advisor for SSWAHS is available through Bankstown Hospital.

Ethnic Specific Residential Aged Care Facilities

For information on ethnic specific hostels and nursing homes contact (02) 4654 6322.


For information on which mainstream aged care facilities "cluster" particular ethnic groups or cultures contact either the local ACAT Placement Co-ordinator or the Clustering Project Co-ordinator. The Clustering Project Co-ordinator can also give information on languages spoken by residents and staff of local mainstream hostels and nursing homes.

The NSW Clustering Project Co-ordinator for South West Sydney
Phone: (02) 9709 6044

Lebanese Community Council of NSW

Peak body for the Lebanese community, undertaking lobbying, welfare and community development work for the Arabic speaking community.

3b/40 Raymond St Bankstown 2200
PO Box 132 Lakemba 2195
Phone: (02) 9790 7555
Fax: (02) 9790 7700

Macarthur Arabic Australian Welfare Centre

Social and welfare assistance including translation, interpretation and Arabic to English, access to all agencies. Free immigration advice.

Police Citizens Youth Club, 95 Minto Rd Minto 2566
PO Box 59 Minto 2566
Phone: (02) 9603 2500
Fax: (02) 9820 2880

Macarthur Migrant Resource Centre

Funded by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, and managed by a local voluntary management committee. Assists migrants in their settlement process by ensuring that persons from NESB have access to mainstream services. They also provide information, advocacy and community development.

Migrant resource centres employ bi-lingual welfare workers and community development workers who provide case work, group work and community work to various ethnic groups. Services provided include

• Humanitarian Entrants Worker - Identifies needs and improves service delivery to reduce trauma for new arrivals and refugees.
• Community Settlement Services Worker - Works with community on all aspects of refugee and migrant settlement.
• Specialist Migrant Placement Officer - Assist permanent residency status NESB community find training and employment.
• Frail Age - Promotes independence in living to prevent isolation and encourage participation in the community.
• Arabic Community Development Worker - Assist Arabic speaking community.
• Vietnamese Community Worker - Vietnamese community.
• Sessional Workers - Outreach workers who attend centre on assigned days.
• Philipino Association (02) 9672 3738
• Pacific Island Resource Centre, Tuesday to Friday (02) 4627 1188
• Khmer Community of NSW (02) 9823 3479

Other activities, persons and associated organisations are Macarthur Legal Centre, community health nurse, Links to Learning, multicultural aged care packages, NESB youth development worker, general case worker, South Pacific Islands community development worker, multicultural childrens library, Spanish and Chilean community services, muslim womes class, Spanish art and craft group, TAFE outreach English class, TAFE business/craft classes and various ethnic groups.

Macarthur Migrant Resource Centre
Level 2 Centre Court Building
101 Queen St Campbelltown 2560
Phone: (02) 4627 1188
Fax: (02) 4628 6068
Email: mmrc@zipworld.com.au
Website: www.mmrc.org.au

Multicultural Cancer Information Service

Emotional support and information on early detection, treatment and services on cancer to those affected by cancer, their families and friends, or people with symptoms concern or early detection enquiries. Free confidential telephone information service in Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Greek and Italian.

Arabic: 1300 301 625
Cantonese, Mandarin: 1300 300 935
Italian: 1300 301 431
Greek: 1300 301 449

153 Dowling St Woolloomooloo 2011
PO Box 572 Kings Cross 1340
Phone: (02) 9334 1900
Fax: (02) 9358 1452
Website: www.nswcc.org.au

Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW

Provides both individual and systemic support to people with NESB, plus family and carers, as well as providing community information training for disability, ethnic and mainstream services.

40 Albion St Harris park 2150
PO Box 381 Harris Park 2150
Phone: (02) 9891 6400
Freecall: 1800 629 072
TTY: (02) 9687 6325
Fax: (02) 9635 5355
Email: mdaa@healey.com.au
Website: www.mdaa.org

Muslim Womens Association

Provides direct services and community development to all Muslim women from different ethnic backgrounds. Provides English classes, Arabic classes, religious classes, sewing, art and craft. Monthly workshops and seminars organised on topics such as housing, DSS, Dept of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs. Available at MMRC Tuesdays.

47 Wangee Rd Lakemba 2195
PO Box 264 Lakemba 2195
Phone: (02) 9750 6916
Fax (02) 9750 7913

STARTTS - Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of
Torture and Trauma Survivors

A state wide service to assist people who have been tortured or have suffered traumatic experiences in their own country or in the process of migrating to Australia. Provides counselling and psychotherapy for individuals, couples and families. Group programs and programs for children such as youth camps. Conducts training progrmas, seminars and workshops; resource library.

152-168 The Horsley Drive Carramar NSW 2163
PO Box 203 Fairfield NSW 2165
Phone: (02) 9794 1900
Fax: (02) 9794 1910

Suburban Islamic Association

Mosque, Islamic centre, primary school, Somali weekend classes, Bangladeshi monthly social meetings, South African meetings, Quaran/Arabic classes.

44-48 Westmoreland Rd Leumeah 2566
PO Box 103 Minto 2566
Phone: (02) 9603 2576 (school), or (02) 9820 2536
Fax: (02) 9820 1766
Email: office@qibla.nsw.edu.au
Website: www.afic.com.au

Transcultural Mental Health Centre NSW

This centre was set up in response to the difficulties facing people of NESB in accessing and using mental health services.

The centre's clinical services program provides over the phone advice on assessment, consultation and information and different options, for referral and community support. The centre holds a database of bilingual/bicultural mental health professionals across NSW. The clinical services are free of charge.

Transcultural Mental Health Centre
Cumberland Hospital
PO Box 2008 North Parramatta NSW 2151
Phone: (02) 9840 3800
Freecall: 1800 648 911
Fax: (02) 9840 3755

Vietnamese Womens Association

Provides information, referral services and community development programs for Vietnamese women and their families.

cnr McBurney Rd and Railway Pde Cabramatta 2166
Phone: (02) 9723 2022
Fax: (02) 9723 3033
Available at Macarthur Migrant Resource Centre: (02) 4627 1188