Australian Immigrants: Quicklinks, Tips, Support & Services.
OP is a Chinese SEAsian 1st-gen Immigrant to Australia. Please feel free to send me any questions or if I can help research by or anything else I might’ve missed out on!
This post is NOT intended to scare any potential immigrants from coming to Australia. Myself, and many others, would love for you to be here. We are ready to support and defend your rights.
With this said, it is better to be prepared for the political climate you are entering into, and how it may worsen and endanger you/your loved ones with the increasing anti-immigrant tensions.
As this article states, there has been a recent 2025 immigrant panic in Australia, with an uptick in anti-immigrant sentiment surveyed of the general population. It is higher than it has been in the last decade. The migration period was temporarily halted during early 2020s due to COVID restrictions, but now that it has lifted, some locals express feeling confronted with the “sudden increase” in migrants.
Amongst the most hypervisible targets of racism include East Asian persons or anyone who “looks Chinese”, North African, West Asian or anyone who “looks Arabic”, South Asian or anyone who “looks Indian and Pakistani”, and African persons.
With exception to the Indigenous Blak persons of Australia such as the Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait islanders who face extreme racism— my observation is that all other ethnic groups do also face significant racism and xenophobia, but not to the same instant degree as the above groups.
In the 2025 multiple anti-immigrant protests called “March for Australia” there were both Neo-Nazis and Politicians leading these protests. [Source]. Recently in Melbourne, between December 2025 and January 2026, there have been a lot of news coverage on crimes committed. Many people and news outlets are dangerously quick to blame immigrants before any details are released, and it leads to even more immigrant panic.
Racism costs Australia 37 BILLION DOLLARS per year [Source]. According to a 2024 study, there is a severe underreporting of racism by BIPOC Australians living in the state of Victoria. [Source]
…859 Victorian adults from culturally or racially marginalised communities.
The vast majority of them – 76% of the survey respondents – had experienced racism in Australia, across many areas of life. These experiences happened at work, in shopping centres, on public transport and on the streets. Some also encountered racism in schools, healthcare, housing, online or when dealing with police.
But crucially, only 15.5% of them had ever reported any such incident to an organisation.
Reasons for not reporting include:
90.6% said “nothing would change” even if they did report. There was no accountability for racist behaviour.
83.2% said it was a high risk-low reward, where the process takes too much effort. [“We need to know that the mental and emotional sacrifice of reporting will be worth it, that it will result in an outcome. Why would I report racism if nothing will be done?”]
75.9% felt that reporting would have negative impacts for them. 72.8% for their children. [An African-Australian man said: “You know you’re gonna be a double victim. Let’s say at your workplace, if you report racism, straight away […] you become a target.”]
75.2% did not know how to, and felt the police would be ineffectual.
70.1% explained they refrain from reporting because they don’t want to “cause trouble”. [In the focus groups, participants often spoke about not wanting to “rock the boat” or refraining from “talking bad, talking about racism because they might hate us”.]
Most recently, the 2026 Hate Speech Bill targeted migrant rights. I go into detail in the documents and blogs linked here.
When victims remain unaware of what racism and xenophobia look like, and don’t know its effects, they tend to internalise that it is their faults, or because there’s something wrong with them personally. Community is immunity. Knowledge is Power and Safety. Victims without these are at a higher risk of distress, which impacts health, safety and survival. Being a victim of xenophobia or racism is NOT YOUR FAULT.
Read my letter to migrants, migrant parents and migrant minors/kids here.
Quicklinks, Tips, Support and Services
For everyone regardless of age, race, class, etc. Learning about your rights as a civilian, an employee, a student, quick-access to services, support and benefits, forging community and communal resistance, are all ways to make Australia safer for you and your loved ones. These will empower you, and the more familiar you are with them now, the more prepared you are in anything that is thrown your way. These are your sword and shield.
You don’t have to do it all in one go, nor instantly. Just save this somewhere and do bit by bit when you feel up to it.
Immigrant Rights: What are the new Deportation Laws (2024)? | Know your Rights when talking with the Australian Border Force | RedCross Migration Services & Support | Free Immigration Advice | MAARS Australia Migrant & Refugee Settlement | Legal Help for VISA holders | Multicultural Settlement Services | Arc UP Org (also has a printable brochure for your rights, easy to memorise).
Learn about Racism: AllTogetherNow | NSWGov Anti Racism Guide | Follow IG @aushumanrights , @services.australia , @jeffsterkiss
EMERGENCY NUMBER IS 000 for local police, fire & ambulance services. 112 is available from most mobile phones. 106 connects to the text-based relay service for people who have a hearing or speech impairment. All calls to the emergency numbers, even at pay phones, are free-of-charge. [Source]
After-hours emergency care: These are typically after-hours services you can call or get medical advice from. These differ between states, you can search more using HealthDirect. | HealthDirect Helpline | After Hours GP Helpline | Pregnancy/Birth Helpline
Non-native English speaker: Use this free Translating and Interpreting service. It especially goes into explaining government services and websites.
Disability: Check out Disability Gateway which explains how disability support and services in different languages. Look into the National Disability Insurance scheme. Interpretor Services include TIS National and DeafConnect (for over 65 years old seniors).
Health: if you’re not eligible for a Medicare card, or any of the Health Concession Cards, make sure you have private health insurance to avoid big costs. If you need to visit a doctor, try to save money by booking an appointment at a bulk-billing practice. Use HealthDirect to search. Alternatively, the Medicare Urgent Clinic doesn’t require you to book. Check if your medications can be subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme too.
Neurodivergent/Mental Health: List here: Mental Health Australia.
Refugees: PLEASE read my first post (link at the very top) to understand the risks and what’s going on to refugees in Australia. Here are some helpful advice for any intending to come to AUS. Asylum Seeker Resource Centre | Pay attention to Refugee Welcome Zones. These are areas that different suburb councils would apply for to signal that they are refugee-safe/friendly. Explanation | Current List of Zones
Domestic Violence: What is Domestic Violence? Learn how to recognise it. [1800RESPECT]. Helplines | Services Australia Quicklinks |
Sexual Violence: What is Sexual Violence? Learn how to recognise it. [1800RESPECT] [Source] [FullStop.Org SA in Relationships] If you do not feel comfortable going to the police [very valid] and require support, I recommend the following services. ReachOut What to Do | Australia Sexual Assault Directory | 1800RESPECT is also disability-friendly. | Male Sexual Assault | CASAHouse Center of Sexual Assault | Health.gov Support for victim-survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence | Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (SACS) for Youth & Children | Sexual Assault Support Services | National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence | Get Help at FullStop
Low Income & Unhoused: Available services differ state to state, here’s some I’m aware of that are interstate. They do also have volunteering programs for anyone interested. These do NOT encourage Salvation Army, reports of abuse and exploitation are high. United Housing | Uniting ACT+NSW | Uniting VIC+TAS | Uniting WA | Uniting Communities | Uniting Free Legal Support | Unity Housing | OrangeSky Free Mobile Laundry | Vinnies | Uniting Care Social Services
News: Withhold reservations about any particular race or ethnicity frequently reported in the Australian news. Our news outlets are typically very biased and sensationalised. Cross-check with other news outlets. I advise Ground News—Australia which has a sliding scale of Left-Center-Right. BTN Behind the News breaks down news in easy English, BTN High (Schoolers) is also geared towards Student Rights. Fact check with: AAP FactCheck and RMIT ABC Fact Check.
Cultural Basics: Learn about the First Nations Peoples, aka the Aboriginal Peoples & Torres Strait Islanders, who are the Indigenous Natives. Australia Day IS NOT a day to celebrate as it is the day the colonial-settlers invaded these lands and committed systematic genocides against the natives. Instead, pay respects to NAIDOC WEEK. [View NAIDOC Educational Resources]. Visit Museums that have ethically sourced/are held by Aboriginal peoples. This is the BASICS of this land’s culture, and there are severe consequences for being racist in this country, whether this falls back on others, or on you and the loss of community. Indigenous communities have ALWAYS been at the forefront of QTBIPOC and immigrant solidarity, which is necessary for shared resistance and survival. As immigrants on their land, we should forge connections with the true natives of this land and recognise their sovereignty never ceded. Learn how to be respectful towards their way of life and live as equals, rather than following the violent ways of colonial-settlers. 🖤💛❤️ Tips on Allyship by Tammy Baart | 10 Tips to be a Genuine Ally & NAIDOC Week | Read their History | Explore the First Nations Map of Australia | Follow Instagrams: @aboriginalaustralia__ , @commongroundfirstnations , @reconciliationaus
E/SEAsian immigrants: For centuries, we have had connections with the Aboriginal peoples, in building interracial families, communities and resistances against racist policies that have starved, killed and kidnapped our peoples. Although much of these have been erased or kept silent, we should continue such valuable and genuine relations if we can. Read more: HERE: “Our Story”.
Australian Values: This might make it easier to “fit in” with Aussie locals.
Public Transport: Public Transport is one of the worst places for a BIPOC immigrant as we tend to get a LOT of racist harassments and vitriol. [1 in 5 suffer racist abuse on the bus]. Especially if you look visibly BIPOC, or are heard speaking in a different accent, dialect or language. I would advise to travel with other BIPOC, stay close to a group of BIPOC if you’re alone. Sit near the bus driver. Visit AllTogetherNow on what to do if you encounter an incident.
Worker Rights & Job Protections: Once you have a job lined up, find a suitable labour unions to join for free advice, job security and to protect your worker rights. You will need to pay a weekly fee to be a member.
Workplace Racism: Learn your Rights & how to get help at SafeWork Australia and HumanRightsVic.
Job Fair Wages: Minimum wage is legally enforced here. Yet, it is not uncommon for employers to take advantage of immigrants and their naïveté to exploit their labour. Use this P.A.C.T Pay Calculator to find fair wages for yourself, tailored to your specific job and your level of qualification/experience.
Government Assistance Benefits: There are a lot you can get. Some I advise looking into include YouthAllowance, JobSeeker, Disability Support Pension , Rent Assistance, and Concession Healthcare Cards which can help to reduce cost of emergencies & ambulance services (which can run you up to $1K+ without it). Do not be ashamed to use this, it is what our taxpayer dollars are meant for, and it is intended to help you.
Community Building: Join societies & associations if you can! Find community activities on Meetup. Look for your neighborhood groups on Facebook as they will typically keep you updated on neighborhood happenings, events, alarms, and other services. Also make friends with your neighbours if they’re friendly, Australian neighbourly values means most neighbours look out for each other. Stand with those less fortunate, those deemed the “bad BIPOC/migrants” compared to you, the minors, the elderly, and those who don’t speak English as fluently as you. If you already don’t have much of a voice, think of how much less of a voice they have.
University Students: Follow IG @nationalunionofstudents , @nus_australia , @nuswomen , @nus_ethno , @nus_international . If you’re at university, there will be student societies for BIPOC, International students and Queer students if you’re lucky. I would advise to research your student services and unions well beforehand in the event your university fucks you over. Trust me, bc of the way our universities rely on funding by the government & their allies, students are one of our most at-risk populations. This happens a LOT including kicking you out of student accomodations, unfair rent, dishonest contracts, academic misconduct, academic help, resident racism, sexual violence (esp. if you’re a BIPOC immigrant aka seen as an easy victim) and more. You may also access free or cheap healthcare and therapy/counselling depending on your university.
Volunteering & Activism: Join in your local activism scenes. The more you build a community of resistance, the more protections everyone has. Typically, if you follow the social media accounts of any relevant causes you are passionate about, they will update you. You can find petitions in the following: GetUp | Human Rights Australia | Reconciliation Australia | Reconciliation Australia Campaigns | United (links under Low Income bulletpoint) | Vinnies Advocacy
💚: Wear sunscreen and practice sunsafe protection here. I’m so serious, the hole in the ozone layer is right above Australia and no matter the season, through thin fabrics and glass windows, we are at extremely high risk of getting melanoma and skin cancer.
