Refugee and CALD Access to Allied Health Services

Coffs Harbour is a key regional settlement location for newly arrived refugees and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. Many people from refugee backgrounds experience significant barriers to accessing health services, including language differences, unfamiliarity with the Australian healthcare system, low health literacy, financial constraints, transport challenges and the ongoing impacts of trauma, displacement and resettlement.

Healthy North Coast’s Health Needs Assessment identifies health literacy, service navigation and equitable access to care as ongoing challenges for vulnerable population groups, particularly those experiencing cultural, language and social barriers to healthcare. Refugee and CALD communities may also experience difficulties accessing allied health services due to workforce shortages, long wait times and limited availability of culturally responsive care.

The Coffs Harbour Refugee Health Service plays an important role in supporting newly arrived humanitarian entrants through health assessments, health education and care coordination. However, increasing settlement numbers and ongoing pressures on primary care and allied health services highlight the need for additional, sustainable pathways into mainstream healthcare. Without targeted support, many refugee and CALD community members risk delayed treatment, unmet rehabilitation needs, reduced participation in daily activities and poorer health outcomes.

This program addresses these gaps by improving access to culturally safe, trauma-informed physiotherapy, occupational therapy and other allied health services. It supports people to improve functional health outcomes, build confidence in navigating the health system, strengthen health literacy and successfully transition to longer-term mainstream health and community services. The program also contributes to reducing health inequities and strengthening the capacity of the local health system to respond to the needs of refugee and multicultural communities in Coffs Harbour and surrounding areas.

The program delivers trauma-informed, culturally safe allied health services that are tailored to the needs of refugee and CALD communities. Services are delivered through individual, group-based and outreach models, supported by interpreters and culturally appropriate health education resources. The program combines clinical intervention with health literacy support, care coordination and transition planning to help clients access ongoing mainstream health and community services. Service delivery is informed by cultural safety principles, trauma-informed practice and person-centred care, ensuring services are responsive to the lived experiences of refugee and CALD communities.

Service delivery is informed by ongoing engagement with refugee and CALD communities, interpreters, cultural consultants and community organisations. Resources and approaches are adapted in response to community, cultural, language and clinical needs, drawing on client feedback, lived experience and partnerships with local health and settlement services. The program incorporates culturally responsive approaches that recognise the impacts of migration, resettlement and trauma while supporting self-determination and meaningful participation in care.

Deliver culturally safe, trauma-informed allied health services.

Provide physiotherapy, occupational therapy and other allied health interventions.

Deliver individual, group and outreach-based services.

Embed interpreter support across all stages of care.

Develop and provide culturally appropriate health education resources.

Support health literacy, self-management and functional goal setting.

Coordinate care with general practice, Refugee Health Services, Local Health District services and community organisations.

Support transition to mainstream health and community services.

Monitor client outcomes, functional improvement, service access and client experience.

Improve access to allied health services for refugee and CALD communities.

Reduce barriers related to language, health literacy, culture and system navigation.

Improve functional health outcomes, wellbeing and participation.

Increase confidence in navigating health and community services.

Support culturally safe and trauma-informed care.

Strengthen connections to mainstream health and community services.

Improve equity of access and health outcomes for refugee and CALD communities.