image description
Most recently added

Newest events

A woman holds her child on her back and smiles.

Keeping Children Safe Online - Webinar

The Alannah & Madeline Foundation will share practical tips, strategies, and tools to help your child stay safe, responsible, and confident online. Check out this free, online webinar for parents/carers of children and young people! Bookings are essential.

When: Tuesday, 17 February 2026, 12:00 – 1:00 PM

More information and bookings HERE.

Free Community CPR & AED Training Workshop

Cumberland Council is holding a free, practical workshop to build confidence in responding to a cardiac arrest. You will learn how to:

✔ recognise the signs of a cardiac arrest
✔ call Triple Zero (000) confidently
✔ perform hands-only CPR
✔ use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

When: Wednesday, 18 February 2026, 10:00am to 11:30am

Where: Cumberland City Council 16 Memorial Avenue, Merrylands

Registration and more information HERE.

Lunar New Year Activities in Sydney

Celebrate Lunar New Year and the incoming Year of the Horse through various free activities across Sydney CBD!

More information HERE.

NEW - Health Clinic Walk-In Opening Hours

New Health Clinic Walk-In Opening Hours:

Monday: 10am – 12pm
Tuesday: 2pm – 4pm
Wednesday: 1:30pm – 4pm
Thursday: 10am – 4pm
Friday: 10am – 4pm

The Health Clinic is closed during lunch, from 12:30pm – 1:30pm daily.

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 and partial 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 full-fee scholarships:  

University of New South Wales Scholarships for Asylum Seekers and Refugee Students

Open now until 26 February 2026

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

 

Current partial scholarships: 

University of SydneyThe Gregg Humanitarian Scholarship for Asylum Seekers

Open now until 30 April 2026

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

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.

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.