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Announcement

Our offices are closed for the holiday period from 2:00pm on Tuesday 23rd December 2025. We will re-open at 10:00am on Monday 12th January 2026.  

If you require emergency support (police, fire, ambulance): Please call 000.

Please contact the below agencies during this time if you need help:

Website Listing All Services

Mental Health support

Homelessness

Emergency financial assistance

Festive Celebrations

Food support

  • Exodus – (02) 8752 4600 
  • Wayside Chapel – (02) 9581 9100

Family or Domestic Violence

  • 1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732

Other supports

  • Wayside Chapel – (02) 9581 9100, 29 Hughes St, Potts Point, Open 9am-9pm
    LawAccess – Referrals to Legal Aid – 1300 888 529
Resources for mental health support

If you’re feeling distressed, shocked, or overwhelmed following the incident at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025, you are not alone.

Reach out to one of the help lines if you become worried about yourself or someone else.

Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511

A 24/7 phone line staffed by mental health professionals that can direct individuals to local support services.

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

A free, confidential service that provides online or phone counselling for children and young people.

Lifeline: 13 11 14

24-hour crisis support for people experiencing a crisis or suicidal distress

Headspace: 1800 650 890

A local mental health support service for young people and their families, with a focus on early intervention.

13YARN: 13 92 76

Free crisis counselling support for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Q Life: 1800 184 527

Anonymous and free peer support for the LGBTIQ+ community.

MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78.

If you are feeling unsafe right now, or at risk of harming yourself or someone else, please seek immediate help by calling Triple Zero (000)

Most recently added

Newest events

School Holiday Events - Summer 25/26

Check out various FREE events for families and all ages, in Sydney CBD and closeby, this summer School Holidays!

Click HERE.

CORE School Holiday Program - Campbelltown LGA

CORE Community Services are running a FREE School Holiday Program in January 2026 for 12-19 year olds living in Campbelltown LGAs. Excursions include Kingpin Bowling & Laser Tag and Jamberoo.

Spots are limited – registration, returned permission notes, and confirmation by 2 January 2026 is essential.

Registration/Permission note: HERE.

Contact for more information:

Phone: 1800 074 922
Email: information@corecs.org.au

CORE School Holiday Program - Liverpool & Fairfield LGAs

CORE Community Services are running a FREE School Holiday Program in January 2026 for 12-19 year olds living in Liverpool and Fairfield LGAs. Excursions include games days, RSPCA visit, and artisan class. Spots are limited – registration, returned permission notes, and confirmation by 2 January 2026 is essential.

Registration/Permission note: HERE.

Contact for more information:

Phone: 1800 074 922
Email: information@corecs.org.au

Organised by Asylum Seekers Centre

Activities at ASC Newtown

Centre Support Services at Newtown

Help with everyday needs like transport, forms and technology. See all help options here.

Monday to Friday from 10AM to 4PM

Please make sure you arrive by 3:30pm so you are guaranteed to be seen. If you have any queries you can email centresupport@asylumseekerscentre.org.au.

Community Lunch

Delicious and healthy hot lunches are available in Newtown on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 12:30pm.

Catch up with old friends and make new ones.

a man and two women in a class

ASC English classes

Beginners: Tuesdays 1pm
Intermediate: Thursdays 11am
Intermediate: Online – Tuesdays 11am

For more information and to book email:ce.events@asylumseekerscentre.org.au

Arts and Crafts at Newtown

Do you want to do some drawing, painting or other creative projects? Join our relaxing weekly art projects!

When: Wednesdays at 1pm
Where: ASC Newtown

Email ce.events@asylumseekerscentre.org.au for more information.

LGBTQIA+ Peer Group

The ASC provides a safe space for LGBTQIA+ clients to connect socially through regular events, dinners, and guest speakers.

For more information you can contact our LGBTQIA+ Community Coordinator via this email.

Drop-in Employment Support in Newtown

Drop in for support with job search, training programs, and scholarship opportunities. Limited one-on-one appointments are available for help with applications and resumes.

When: Thursdays, 10:30 am – 2:00 pm

Where: ASC Newtown

Sewing classes

Fun and simple sewing classes. All supplies provided. Bring something to fix or your own project.

When: Fridays 10.30am and Tuesdays 1.30pm
Where: ASC Newtown

Email ce.events@asylumseekerscentre.org.au for more information.

Organised by Asylum Seekers Centre

Activities at Auburn Community Centre Hub

Community Lunch

Delicious and healthy lunches at the Auburn Community Centre.

Wednesdays at 12:00pm.

Women at the Knit and Nourish initiative cooking a meal

Women's Afternoon

Activities for women including workshops, sewing, cooking and fun. Childcare is provided. You do not have to have children to attend.

Every Wednesday 12:45pm to 2pm at the Auburn Community Centre.

To join, email ce.events@asylumseekerscentre.org.au

Children’s Activities

Fun and educational activities are available for children. School holiday programs also available.

Time: Wednesday afternoons with the women’s groups and in school holidays

Opportunities

Training, work and education

See an ASC volunteer for support with applying to university.

Talk to an ASC University Advisor

Do you want to apply for University and Scholarships for 2025? If so, you can get help applying for university courses and tuition fee scholarships.

Contact us at employment@asylumseekerscentre.org.au to talk to a University Advisor at ASC.

A young woman holds a laptop in a university library.

University Scholarships

Limited full-fee undergraduate scholarships for people seeking asylum are available in a number of universities in NSW. You MUST also apply to enrol in an eligible course at the university you are applying for scholarships. 

Current open scholarships  

Macquarie University closes 7 Jan 2026  
Humanitarian Scholarship

Australian Catholic University closes 11 Jan 2026
Humanitarian Scholarship

University of Notre Dame Open timeline VC’s Humanitarian Scholarship
Conditions here
Application here.

 

 

 

Computer Classes

Click HERE to find information about Computer Classes at ASC and in Sydney.

English Classes

Click HERE to find information about English Classes at ASC and in Sydney

Study at TAFE for free

Fee-Free Courses at TAFE

TAFE offers flexible study options and nationally recognised courses to ensure you are job-ready. Explore study and training options via this LINK.

Semester 2, 2025 is now open for enrolments.

Talk to a TAFE Career Counsellor today! They can help you find a course. Simply call TAFE on 131 601 (Option 5, then Option 2) to make an appointment.

The ASC can also help you to understand information, provide you with advice and guidance, and help to complete enrolment forms. Simply email employment@asylumseekerscentre.org.au

TAFE online courses

Explore TAFE online courses. Study anywhere anytime.

TAFE Digital offers a wide range of nationally recognised, online study options, across a range of modern industries. You can study online and enjoy flexible learning to fit your lifestyle, with our online short courses, certificates, diplomas, and degrees.

More information HERE.

A young man wearing a blue shirt sits in a library with a pile of books in front of him. He is holding a book open and smiling.

TAFE English courses

TAFE provides intensive English classes to all levels – usually offered full time, 4 days a week. The English courses listed under the Smart and Skilled Program are accessible for asylum seekers on bridging visas.

Courses:

In class & TAFE Digital online.

Health and activities

Exercise

Soccer

Click THIS LINK to find out about different places to play soccer for free.

Swimming Lessons

Click THIS LINK to see information about the swimming classes we offer.

Free Gym Access

Join other ASC members at a gym in The Rocks. Click here for more information.

Bookings: email ce.events@asylumseekerscentre.org.au

Supports and information

Form Filling Services Directory

Need assistance filling out forms? View this directory of organisations across Sydney where you can get help in completing various documents and applications, with some language support available. Please call the numbers on the directory to book an appointment.

More information HERE.

AskIzzy (Resource)

Website that provides information on many supports around Sydney. For example – where to find food, accommodation and financial assistance.

Click HERE.

Parents and Carers Support

Acitvities and resources to help you support your children of all ages.

Click HERE.

ASC Marketplace

Basic items for free from ASC!

-look at the list
-fill and submit the form
-we will contact you
-pick up is from ASC Newtown

The list is regularly updated. Visit the Marketplace HERE.

Community Directory

This is a directory of services that can help you. These are services offered by the ASC and by other organisations.

This includes information for services to support emergencies, paying bills, housing or government services, legal aid and more.

Click HERE for more information.

Note: The list of services from other organisations have their own eligibility criteria. This is only a guide.

A little boy eating lettuce

Food Supports

Click here for information about food support across Sydney.

Mental Health Supports

Click here for organisations that can help with counselling and mental health.

Community life and activities

Men's Sheds

Men’s Sheds are a great place to connect, make friends and learn new skills.

Where/when: Various locations/time

Find a shed HERE.

Merrylands: meal, tea and coffee

The Wellbeing Project: Connect, Support, Care

Weekly outreach that offers a place to connect, enjoy a FREE meal and have a chat! They also provide tea, coffee, referrals to support services and access to computers

When: Thursdays, 11am

Where: Sarah Daniels Court, Corner of Finns Lane and McFarlane Street, Merrylands

More info HERE.