Close
image description
Most recently added

Newest events

Hidden Stories - Film screening

Join us for a FREE screening of Hidden Stories at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on 17 June.

Experience a collection of powerful short films featuring stories from members of our community, alongside creative workshops and live performances.

Program
6:00 PM – Opening remarks by ASC CEO Elijah Buol OAM and storyteller Thouraya Lahmadi
6:00–9:00 PM – Continuous film screenings
6:00–8:30 PM – Origami workshop with Ami
7:00–7:25 PM – Live music and sound healing performance by Max

Where: Art Gallery of New South Wales
When: Wed 17 June, Meet at 5:30pm
Free event

We’d love to see you there!

Register HERE.

A woman serves a plate of food and smiles

Refugee Week Community Lunch

Join us for a special Refugee Week celebration! Come together with us to celebrate Refugee Week through food, music, creativity, and community.

Flower-Making Workshop – 11:00am
Community Lunch – 12:30pm
Live Music

When: Wednesday, 17 June

Where: ASC Newtown

Parents Workshop - Children & Youth's Mental Health (Arabic & Farsi)

Learn more about supporting children and youth’s emotional wellbeing as a parent or carer, through face-to-face workshops with the Transcultural Mental Health Centre. Workshops available in Arabic and Farsi.

Free activities and child minding provided for children/youth at the workshop, and lunch provided from 12PM to 1PM.

Various Dates and Times
20 June 2026 @ 10AM (Children’s Mental Health in Arabic)
20 June 2026 @ 1PM (Youth’s Mental Health in Arabic)
27 June 2026 @ 10AM (Children’s Mental Health in Farsi)
27 June 2026 @ 1PM (Youth’s Mental Health in Farsi)

Where: Auburn Community Centre

Organised by Asylum Seekers Centre

Activities at ASC Newtown

A woman wearing a blue scarf tends to her garden.

Garden and Gather

Come and garden with us on Tuesday mornings. Grow food, find food and gather together.

When: Tuesdays 10.30am – April 14 & 28. May & June too.

Where: Newtown Station, meet at the outside lifts

More information 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.

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.

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 Technology Sydney (UTS) – Humanitarian Scholarship 

Open now until 22 June 2026

Australian Catholic University (ACU) – ACU Refugee Scholarship

Open now until 1 July 2026

University of New South Wales (NSW) – Humanitarian Scholarships
Open now until 18 June 2026

University of Notre Dame – VC’s Humanitarian Scholarship
Open timeline – Conditions 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, 2026 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

Fairfield Free adult learn to swim program

Project Elevate – Adult Learn to Swim Classes at Fairfield Leisure Centre is now open for enrolment! Open to adults with limited or no swimming experience.

When: Wednesdays 12:00pm-3:00pm, Thursdays 10:00am-1:00pm

Where: Fairfield Leisure Centre, 44 Vine St, Fairfield 2165

Enquiries & Enrolment: swimandsurvive@royalnsw.com.au or(02) 9634 3700

More information HERE.

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.