The ECCQ policy paper argues for a more tailored and strategic approach to refugee and migrant settlement in Australia. It critiques the current top-down, federally driven model for being insufficiently responsive to local needs and underfunded. Key barriers to successful integration include poor English language proficiency, lack of social networks, and inadequate support in regional areas.
The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) is highlighted as inconsistent and ill-suited for vulnerable groups like refugee mothers and youth. Time-limited enrolment rules further exclude those with complex needs. Financial pressures, such as remittance obligations, also hinder integration efforts.
Despite the benefits of settling refugees in rural areas—such as economic growth and population support—most are still placed in metropolitan centres. The paper calls for reforms including:
- A needs-based funding model
- Multi-provider service delivery in large states
- Improved pre-arrival planning
- Redesign of employment and language service KPIs
- Enhanced support for disengaged and complex cases
ECCQ advocates for a shift from short-term, checklist-based services to a holistic, inclusive model that promotes long-term social and economic integration.
