scoa maia

The Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA) is grateful for the opportunity to make a submission in response to the Fourth National Hepatitis B Strategy 2023-2030 (the Strategy). As the Strategy notes, in 2020, nearly 70% of people living with chronic hepatitis B in Australia were born overseas, with many acquiring the infection at birth or during early childhood in other countries. This highlights the urgent need for targeted support for migrants and refugees living with hepatitis B. Settlement services play a crucial role in improving access to care by providing culturally appropriate interventions and facilitating linkages to healthcare services.

As I reflect on 2022 as the year we emerged from the most challenging period of the pandemic, I am immensely proud of what we achieved. I am confident that together we have made a significant contribution to a more equitable, respectful and inclusive Australia. I am proud of the role that SCOA has played in advocacy, representation, capacity building and partnership brokering over the last year, and feel confident and hopeful of our path going forward.

The ‘Links for Life’ project worked in collaboration with a number of organisations around Tasmania to show participants the events and activities that have cultural significance in Tasmania and across Australia.

SydWest Multicultural Services supports young refugees and migrants to engage and participate in Australian society by organising a visit to Parliament House Canberra.