What’s on

Welcome Meeting and Community Lunch

If you’re new to the ASC community, we warmly invite you to our Welcome Meeting and Community Lunch at the Asylum Seekers Centre.

You’ll learn about our services, how to access them, meet others, and ask questions in a friendly space.

We’ll finish by sharing a delicious community lunch.

When: Wednesday 21 January 2026 at 10:30 am to 12:25 pm. Lunch is at 12.30 pm.
Where: ASC Newtown

To attend, register HERE or  send an email to novela.corda@asylumseekerscentre.org.au

Special Community Lunch & Guest Visit

Join us for a special community lunch and conversation with Giridharan Sivaraman, Race Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission.

When: Thursday, 22 January 2026, Lunch starts at 12:30 pm
Where: ASC Main Hall

This will be a great opportunity to:
– Share a meal together
– Learn more about the work of the Human Rights Commission
– Ask questions and join a conversation with the Commissioner, ASC staff, and other members of our community

Everyone is welcome. We look forward to seeing you. 

Call for refugee artworks

The City of Sydney is inviting artists with lived experience as refugees or seeking asylum to submit artwork that celebrates belonging, welcome, and community in Sydney.

Artworks must respond to the theme ‘Refugees and people seeking asylum are welcome in our city’.

Up to 4 artworks will be selected to be displayed on street banners and digital advertising screens in the city centre for up to 5 years.

Selected artists will receive $9,500 for the display and use of their artwork.
📅 Applications close 13 Feb, 4pm

Learn more HERE.

Lunch & Learn Volunteer Program at ASC!

Would you like to learn new cooking skills, meet new people, and share food from your culture?

Join Our Lunch & Learn Volunteer Program at ASC! You will:

• Learn to cook meals from different countries
• Complete Food Handling Certificate Level 1 – Basic
• Meet others and make new friends
• Learn how to work in a commercial kitchen
• Build work experience for your resume
• Share your culture and traditional recipes

New group starting:
11 February – 25 March
Every Wednesday for 7 weeks from 10:00 to 2:00

To sign up, email: novela.corda@asylumseekerscentre.org.au

School Holiday Programs (Activities and Workshops) - Various LGAs

Check out various FREE School Holiday Programs across Sydney, including arts and crafts sessions, sports workshops, camps, excursions, and more!

More info HERE.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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  

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

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.

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:

• Certificate I in Fundamental English 
• Certificate II in Basic English 
• Certificate II in Routine English for Speakers of Other Languages
• Certificate III English for Further Study
• Certificate IV English for Academic Purposes  

In class & TAFE Digital online.

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

AskIzzy (Resource)

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

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.

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.

Parents and Carers Support

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

Click 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.

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 Garden Day

A free, fun-filled morning of gardening, learning and fun. Everyone is welcome!

When: Tuesday 20th of January at 10.30am
Where: Alfalfa House Community Garden. Meet at Newtown Station.

More info and bookings HERE.

Bus to Cronulla Beach (Canterbury-Bankstown Residents)

Enjoy a day at the beach with a FREE dedicated bus service direct to Cronulla Beach. Available for Canterbury-Bankstown residents. Registration is essential.

When: 14th, 17th, 21st, and 24th January 2026

More information and registration HERE.

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.