Department of Home Affairs Newsletter – Update for Community [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Update for Communities
Dear community representatives,
Thank you for your ongoing support and contributions to the community.
In this edition, you can find information on the following:
- Office for Multicultural Affairs is now Launched!
- The Free Interpreting Service (FIS)
- Immigration Status Resolution Service
- SwimSAFER
- Using Registered Migration Agents
- Advise the Department of Your New Passport Before You Travel
- Support to sit the Australian Citizenship Test
- Free Transaltion Services
- Scams Awareness Week
- Useful information in your language
- Contact us
Office for Multicultural Affairs is now Launched!
The Office for Multicultural Affairs (OMA), within the Department of Home Affairs, was officially launched on 21 July 2025 by the Hon Dr Anne Aly MP, Minister for Small Business, Minister for International Development, and Minister for Multicultural Affairs.
The OMA aims to promote inclusivity and support diverse communities, inclusion, and cross-cultural understanding. It brings together key functions within the Department of Home Affairs, more closely aligning the policies and programs that help to unite and strengthen Australia. These include community grant programs, settlement, language services including the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) and Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) as well as Community Engagement.
The Free Interpreting Service (FIS)
The Free Interpreting Service (FIS) is an Australian Government funded service, which improves access for people with limited English proficiency to essential, non-government services.
The FIS is available at the following service providers:
- Private medical practitioners (general practitioners, nurse practitioners, endorsed midwives and approved medical specialists)
- Pharmacies,
- Eligible Non-Government Organisations (NGOs)
- Real estate agents,
- Local government authorities,
- Trade unions,
- Eligible allied health professionals, and
- Parliamentarians.
The FIS is delivered by TIS National. To request an interpreter call 131 450 or ask for assistance at an eligible service provider.
FIS benefits include:
- It is free and available 24hrs, 7 days a week.
- It is quick and easy; you can connect to an FIS interpreter within a few minutes.
- It uses National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) certified interpreters who abide by the AUSIT Code of Ethics, ensuring the highest level of professionalism and confidentiality.
- It supports clear and accurate communication and reduces risk through misunderstandings.
More information is available on the Department of Home Affairs website. Email FIS general enquiries to tis.freeinterpreting@homeaffairs.gov.au.
Immigration Status Resolution Serevice
From 1 July 2025, Status Resolution clients without a current visa or those holding a Bridging visa E can now request an appointment with the Immigration status Resolution team to discuss their matter.
This is a safe space where clients can discuss their situations, receive departure support, and discover options for bridging visas with the guidance of an expert Status Resolution Officer. Our officers can also connect individuals with a network of programs and organisations that assist with their journey home.
Please note: This service supports people who:
- hold a Bridging visa E, or
- do not hold a valid visa.
The team does not manage general visa enquiries or other visa types. You will not receive a reply if your enquiry is about a matter we do not manage.
Bookings can be made through a booking form on the ‘Meet with us’ page.
SwimSAFER
Through various swim programs, Swim Australia is on a quest to permanently reduce drowning deaths in Australia. This year, they are continuing the Swim It Forward initiative as part of this year’s SwimSAFER Week on 17-23 November. For more information, please see:
- SwimSAFER – Let’s get more kids in the pool and learning how to swim.
- Swim it Forward | Australian Sports Foundation
Apart from the above Swim Australia water safety initiatives, those based in NSW may also be interested in SwimHER, a culturally safe, women-only swimming and water safety program tailored to CALD women, including women living with disability and mental health conditions.
For further information about these programs, please contact the organisations via the links above.
Using Registered Migration Agents
When using a migration agent for a visa application, it is important to choose someone who is registered. Registered migration agents must meet professional standards to remain on the register. They must act ethnically.
The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) is the regulatory body that registers and overseas migration agents in Australia to ensure they provide professional and ethnical advice. The OMARA provides clear guidance on
- How to choose the right agent for your needs
- Steps to take before you engage someone
- What to do after choosing an agent
- How to lodge complaints
A range of translated resources can be accessed here.
Advise the Department of Your New Passport Before You Travel
If you are an Australian visa holder or applicant, you must tell us if you have a new passport before you travel into or out of Australia.
This is so we can link your new passport to your visa or application. This includes if you have received a new passport since being granted your Australian visa.
If you don’t do this before you travel, you may experience delays when attempting to travel to Australia. This applies to all Australian visa holders and applicants. This is even if you’re coming to Australia from overseas or you’re a permanent resident living in Australia.
You can easily update your passport details by accessing your ImmiAccount. Most updates are done instantly. This will allow you to continue your travel plans uninterrupted. If you don’t have an ImmiAccount, you will need to fill out a form online which is subject to processing times.
For more details, visit You have a new passport.
| Support to sit the Australian Citizenship Test |
Australian citizenship by conferral is the most common pathway to Australian citizenship, available to permanent residents who meet the relevant eligibility requirements. As part of those requirements, most applicants must sit the Australian Citizenship test.
The attached factsheet provides an overview of the recent updates and improvements to the citizenship test as well as general information on preparing and sitting the test. Topics include:
· Updates to the Australian citizenship practice test questions
· Citizenship modules on AMEPOnline
· Increasing awareness of support available to all applicants sitting a test
· Assisted Test for eligible applicants
· Resources to prepare for the test
· Re-sitting and rescheduling test appointments
· Test exemptions on the basis of permanent or enduring physical or mental incapacity, impairment and age.
Free Transaltion Services
The Free Translating Service (FTS) is for people settling permanently in Australia. The FTS allows permanent residents and select temporary or provisional visa holders to have up to 10 personal documents translated into English for free. This applies within the first two years of their eligible visa grant date.
Who delivers the FTS?
TIS National delivers the FTS on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs.
How does the FTS support people settling in Australia?
The FTS aims to support participation in employment, education, and the community. Key personal documents are often required to access essential government services and programs. Offering free document translations makes this process easier for people settling in Australia.
Where can I obtain further information about the FTS?
- Department of Home Affairs website
- TIS National website – FTS information on the website is available in 10 languages.
- TIS National Contact Us online form
- FTS enquiries: 1300 847 387
- If an interpreter is required:
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- Call TIS National on 131 450 (within Australia) or +613 9268 8332 (outside Australia)
- State the preferred language.
- Ask the TIS National Operator to connect to the Translating Services team.
Scams Awareness Week
Scams Awareness Week is an annual national campaign, focused on raising awareness about scams and encouraging Australians to work together to stay safe from scammers.
The week is a collaborative effort between government, business, community groups, consumer protection groups, educational organisations and individuals to promote scam awareness. Everyone has a part to play in shutting down scammers. With your help, we can help make sure all Australians can stay safe from scams.
We’re inviting you to participate by applying this year’s theme of Stop. Check. Protect. to your content.
This kit will discuss how you can do that in a way that suits your area of work and provides a set of ready-made resources and suggestions on how to use them.
For more information, please visit: www.scamwatch.gov.au/saw
Useful information in your language
