Global pre-departure cultural orientation services for Australia's Refugee and Special Humanitarian Programme clients

The Australian Government provides the AUSCO Programme to all humanitarian entrants over the age of five years prior to their departure for Australia. Participation is voluntary and free of charge to the participants. AUSCO marks the beginning of the settlement journey. As such it is the first opportunity to provide education and advice to new entrants to the Australian community about what they may experience and to manage expectations. It also affords an opportunity to provide early messaging regarding employment and education pathways and to discuss expectations about the contributions that they will make to Australia.

AUSCO course topics provide clients with practical advice for their journey to Australia, including quarantine laws and information about what to expect after arrival in Australia. The Programme is currently delivered in four regions: Africa, South Asia, South East Asia and the Middle East. Additional courses are provided in other locations as required.

The objectives of the AUSCO Programme are to:

• provide accurate information on departure processes and the upcoming journey
• present a realistic picture of life in Australia
• describe the settlement process and provide practical information about post-arrival settlement services
• encourage language training on arrival in Australia
• provide participants with the basic skills necessary to achieve self-sufficiency
• equip participants with the necessary tools to deal with initial settlement concerns and the different stages of cultural, social and economic adaptation.