Department of Home Affairs – NSW Community Engagement Newsletter – 20 February 2026 [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear community representatives,
Thank you for your ongoing support and contributions to the community. The CLO Network has collated the following newsletter of important information from across the Department of Home Affairs and other government agencies that may be of interest to you and members of your community. Please feel free to forward this newsletter, or any of its sections, to members of your community.
In this month’s edition, you can find information on the following:
Refreshed Multicultural Grants Webpages
The Department of Home Affairs has launched a new Multicultural Grants webpage outlining important information relating to the availability and delivery of grants.
This website restructures existing grants information into three distinct sections:
· Current grants to make it easier to locate upcoming grant application opportunities. There is also a new ‘help applying’ resource which explains the grants process, gives grant opportunity guidelines and links to Community Grants Hub application resources.
Grant delivery for grants underway to locate services and resources.
Working with our grants to provide corporate information about our grants.
Please click the following link to visit this webpage at Multicultural Grants.
Online Drop-in Sessions for PALM scheme Approved Employers
In 2026, free
Departing Australia Superannuation Payment
(DASP) (ato.gov.au) support will continue for all PALM scheme employers through the National Tax Clinic program. These clinics help workers:
understand the DASP claim process and superannuation
· start their online DASP claim before leaving Australia, reducing stress and making it easier to lodge their claim once they return home.
To help employers make the most out of this initiative, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) in collaboration with the Australian Taxation Office will be hosting 15-minute virtual drop-in information sessions. Sessions will run from Monday 9 February to Wednesday 4 March 2026:
· Every Monday at 10:00 AM (AEDT)
· Every Wednesday at 10:00 AM (AEDT)
By attending, employers will be able to better support workers with their superannuation claims by:
discovering what DASP support clinics offer and how they work
· learning how this service saves you time and simplifies worker departures
· finding out how to arrange in-person or virtual support for your workers.
These sessions are designed to make the departure process smoother for both employers and workers.
Register for DASP virtual drop-in session by clicking on the following link:
New information on the ‘Afghanistan Update’ webpage
| The Department of Home Affairs has made some updates to its ‘Afghanistan Update’ page.
Additions have been made to the following sections:
This page includes a wide range of Afghanistan-related visa and policy information including on Pakistan and Iran exit permits, obtaining Afghan Government documents and humanitarian visa priorities. The webpage can be found here: Afghanistan update (homeaffairs.gov.au). |
Free Information Webinar for International Graduates
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PNG scores new Rugby League Visa Package
In 2028 the PNG Chiefs will take the field as the first Papua New Guinean side in the NRL. In preparation, a new visa package has been announced to support Papua New Guinea nationals to travel to Australia.
This package will make it easier for Papua New Guinean nationals associated with the PNG Chiefs – including players, coaches, officials, media representatives, and fans – to travel to Australia, reinforcing our shared commitment to cultural and sporting ties.
For PNG Chiefs’ fans, this means eligibility to apply for a $25 AUD Visitor visa, valid for up to 12 months, allowing multiple short stays to attend games throughout the NRL season.
For more information, see
Special visa arrangements for PNG Chiefs players and club officials, fans and media
Child Care Subsidy – Update and Audio Translation
| Services Australia have recently published the updated ‘Child Care Subsidy’ audio, which covers:
· How much subsidy customers can get · What is recognised participation · Additional subsidies for Child Care · Steps on how to claim subsidy
This audio resource available in 11 languages:
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Scamwatch – Why anyone can be a victim of a scam
Scamwatch has launched a campaign to destigmatise scam victimhood, encourage reporting, and help Australians understand how scammers deceive people.
Scammers are sophisticated criminals who use psychological techniques to manipulate their targets. Understanding why these tactics work so well can help reduce the shame scam victims often feel. Being scammed doesn’t reflect personal weakness or gullibility. You can remain safe online by remember three simple words: Stop. Check. Protect.
As part of this campaign, a number of videos will be on social media carrying the message “Scams can happen to anyone”. Scamwatch has also launched a new webpage, “Why anyone can be a victim of a scam”, which explains the manipulation techniques scammers use and ways to build defences against scams. You can find this page by going to Why anyone can be a victim of a scam | Scamwatch.
Jobs and Skills Australia Higher Education Outcomes webinar
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Useful information in your language
Contact us
Your feedback is vital to the Department and informs policy, decision making and government messaging. We welcome engagement and encourage you to contact us by phone or by emailing us with questions or feedback about community concerns, government messaging, community misconceptions issues such as racism and discrimination.
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