ALWS - Domestic Projects Information

Australian Lutheran World Service is the "overseas aid & resettlement agency of the Lutheran Church of Australia". The resettlement component of our work relates to the support we provide to refugees and others 'at risk' who have come to our country under the Australian government's Humanitarian Migration Program. The primary means of assistance is the provision of loans through two revolving loan funds that have operated for well over 20 years (& travel loans since the inception of ALWS in 1950). The purposes for which the loans are given can be broken down into three categories:

Helping refugees & displaced settle into Australia

Many people come here with very little & it is difficult for them to even buy the basics necessary to set up a new home & meet essential expenditures.

Criteria

• Applicants must have been in Australia less than two years, and entered Australia under the government's Humanitarian Migration Program.
• The maximum loan amount is $800, although support above this amount will be considered in exceptional circumstances.
• The loan purpose is generally limited to the purchase of household items (eg beds, fridge). Requests for assistance to meet education and medical expenses will be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the extent of need.
• Loans are repaid over 20 months at $40 per month. These terms are negotiable, based on the applicant's financial situation.

Helping reunite families

The Australian government, under its Humanitarian Program, offers visas to people who aren't refugees but have been found to be in a refugee-like situation. In order for them to qualify for a visa they must have a sponsor in Australia and, if they obtain a visa, they or their sponsors have to pay for the airfares and other costs associated with travelling to Australia.

In many cases the sponsor in Australia simply can't afford to meet these travel costs, which are often quite high. ALWS provides loans to assist sponsors meet the costs of these airfares and thereby enable families to be reunited again here in Australia. ALWS works in cooperation with the International Organisation for Migration, which is an agency that specialises in migration and travel assistance for refugees.

Criteria

• The individuals travelling to Australia have obtained visas under Australia’s Humanitarian Migration Program.
• Applicants can only apply for support where the individuals travelling to Australia are close family relatives. In view of complex social systems this may require flexibility, but generally extends only as far as aunts, uncles and cousins.
• Only one loan is provided per applicant/sponsor.
• Travel must be organised by the sponsor through the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), based in Canberra.
• The maximum loan amount is $3,000 although support over this amount will be considered in exceptional circumstances.
• Funds are transferred directly to IOM.
• Loans are repaid over 30 months at $100 per month. These terms are negotiable, based on the applicant’s financial situation.
• Applicants must complete and sign the application and provide supporting information including evidence of income and an estimate of travel costs provided by IOM.
• In view of the demand there is generally a waiting list, which varies from time to time.

Getting established in Australia

There are many refugees who struggle to establish a livelihood in Australia, despite having skills & ability to make a contribution to their new country. One of the major stumbling blocks is access to capital (funds) that will enable them to establish a small business.

ALWS manages a loan scheme that makes low interest loans (currently 5%) of up to $6,000 available for business purposes to entrants under the Humanitarian Program. ALWS has been able to assist in the establishment of many enterprises ranging from coffee shops and hairdressing salons to courier businesses and graphic design outfits.

Criteria

• Maximum loan amount of $6,000
• Maximum loan term of 5 years
• The loan must be for business/employment-related purposes
• The applicant must have come to Australia within the last eight years under the Australian government's Humanitarian Migration Program
• A loan application will generally not be considered if the applicant is already employed
• A loan application will generally only be considered where the applicant has been unable to secure funding from a bank or other 'mainstream' financial institution
• An application form must be completed (and approval processes are more demanding than for other loans - especially in regard to demonstration of capacity to service the loan).

Australian Lutheran World Service & LWF Projects (Aust) Pty Ltd reserves the right to vary its lending criteria and conditions at any time.

Applications

All applicants must complete a loan application form and submit it to ALWS for consideration. Please contact the ALWS office if you wish to apply for a loan or want further information about our "In Australia" resettlement work.