Refugee Immigrant Health Services
At Ballarat Community Health, we are committed to ensuring that everyone in our community—regardless of their journey or background—has access to safe, compassionate and culturally appropriate healthcare. Our Refugee & Immigrant Health services provide dedicated support for individuals and families who are newly arrived in Australia, helping them navigate the health system, understand their wellbeing needs and settle confidently into life in the Ballarat region.
Our team works alongside GPs, allied health professionals, community services and settlement agencies to deliver thorough health assessments, ongoing care coordination and tailored health education.
We focus on early identification of health concerns, immunisations, chronic disease management and connecting people with the right services.
For people starting a new life far from home, good health is a vital foundation. Ballarat Community Health is proud to play a role in supporting refugee and migrant communities to thrive and participate fully in the place they now call home.
Refugee Health Program
The Refugee Health Program provides care for refugee communities, delivered by a Refugee Immigrant Health Nurse with expertise engaging with diverse cultural and language communities.
The role of the Refugee Immigrant Health Nurse is to support refugees, asylum seekers and those from refugee-like backgrounds with their health needs.
The program also supports all new migrants and those with complex health needs, in order to facilitate access to the appropriate care and support services, offering culturally appropriate health care to ensure the long term health of the client
- Health Assessments for newly arrived refugees
- Referral coordination to local health and community services
- Key worker support, providing coordination and nursing support to refugee and migrants with complex care needs
- Outreach services, providing clients with services, information, and resources that they might not otherwise access
- Referrals to Paediatric Immigrant Health Clinic
- Referrals for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency
- Referrals to Multicultural Access Program
Paediatric Immigrant Health Clinic
The clinic supports children and young people (0–18 years) from refugee, asylum seeker, and migrant backgroundss.
Our Refugee Immigrant Health Nurse will support referrals for the Paediatric Immigrant Health Clinic.
The Clinic is ran by Dr David Tickell, a paediatrician with experience in immigrant health. Clinic visits are bulk billed and a GP referral is required.
For further information request a callback from the Immigrant Health Nurse who will respond on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Vitamin D Clinic
Specialised Vitamin D Deficiency Care supporting strong bones, muscle health, and overall wellbeing provided by Dr David Tickell.
Low vitamin D can affect energy, mood, bone and muscle health. Ballarat Community Health’s Vitamin D Clinic supports refugees and immigrants with vitamin D deficiency.
- Vitamin D deficiency assessments
- Personalised treatment plans
- Practical guidance to help restore and maintain healthy vitamin D levels safely
- Connect clients with any additional support required