Determined young refugee takes life by storm: learns English, finds casual employment and invests into future
Serina Saka arrived in Australia as a refugee from Iraq after spending four years in Lebanon with her parents and four siblings.
Refugee Support
The Humanitarian Settlement Program provides essential early support and information to refugees and humanitarian entrants. Learn more
IgniteAbility
IgniteAbility Small Business Start-ups is a pilot program established to facilitate business creation for people with disability. Learn More:
Local Area Coordination
SSI is partnered with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to support people aged 7 and over to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and other mainstream community services. Learn more.
SSI Employment
Employment is integral for newly arrived refugees, migrants, asylum seekers and for other vulnerable people in our community. Learn more
SSI - Access Merger
Access Community Services became a subsidiary of SSI in December 2018. Working as one organisation, we can strengthen our position to support service growth in QLD and NSW. Learn more
SSI News Blog
From the CEO: New data shows we must stop the migrant blame game
Since the beginning of the pandemic in Australia I have been deeply disturbed by the increase in racist harassment, reporting and attacks on culturally diverse Australians, with several community members reaching out to me to express their fear and concern over the situation.
Read more: From the CEO: New data shows we must stop the migrant blame game
From the CEO: We are witnesses to history
Last week marked the seven-year anniversary of Australia’s introduction of offshore processing of refugees. In a weird twist of fate, Kurdish-Iranian journalist – and former Manus Island detainee - Behrouz Boochani was granted permanent protection in New Zealand just a few days later.
Social Engineer draws on experience to support others through COVID-19
Since moving to Australia in 1998 due to political and civil unrest in Iraq, Bashar Hanna has faced and overcome the many challenges of establishing himself personally and professionally in a foreign land.
Read more: Social Engineer draws on experience to support others through COVID-19
How Saira found a second family while searching for employment
In March 2018, Saira* crossed the globe alone, travelling from her home in Sierra Leone to Australia, to escape her traditional marriage and build the foundations of a new life for herself, and one day her children.
Read more: How Saira found a second family while searching for employment
Success stories
CEO Violet Roumeliotis 2017 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year
Violet Roumeliotis has been recognised as the 2017 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year. As the CEO of SSI, Ms Roumeliotis has overseen innovative diversification leading to more than 1,100 per cent revenue growth