Table of Contents
ASSISTANCE GUIDELINES
1. Purpose of the Assistance
Through the Reconnecting People Assistance Package, the Australian Government wants to help Australian Citizens or Australian Permanent Residents who have been adversely affected as a direct result of their inappropriate immigration detention under the Migration Act 1958 within Australia. The assistance is offered to help eligible applicants re-establish their lives, and to reconnect with their families and communities. Any assistance provided under this Assistance Package is not compensation and is not an admission of Commonwealth liability.
2. Who can get help?
To be eligible to receive assistance under these Guidelines, you (and your dependent child(ren) if applicable) must:
- have been held in inappropriate immigration detention; AND
- be either an Australian Citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident at the time of inappropriate immigration detention; AND
- have been adversely affected* by the period of inappropriate immigration detention.
* Where the person has been severely disconnected from their normal daily life.
3. What help might be offered?
Based on your circumstances (and your dependent child(ren)’s circumstances, if applicable) one or more of the following may be offered:
- Support from a Family Liaison Officer.
- Reasonable out-of-pocket health care expenses.
- Help to find somewhere to live and up to $10,000 for rent or other house expenses.
- Money for food, clothes or other immediate necessities ($2,000 per adult, $1,000 per child).
- Help with your travel home within Australia after detention.
4. Who can I request assistance for?
You may request assistance for yourself and any dependent child(ren) less than 16 years old. Your partner/spouse and/or any child(ren) aged 16 years or more will have to fill in a separate Request for Assistance form. A legal guardian may make a claim on behalf of a person incapable of making a claim for themself. If you do not have a legal guardian and would like to nominate someone to help you, you can arrange for another person to handle your claim on your behalf.
5. Filling in the form
Please do your best to fill in the form. If you cannot answer all the questions, please fill in as much as you can or contact the Reconnecting People Assistance Helpdesk, Freecall Number 1800 133 608. The Helpdesk is open from 9am – 5pm EST Monday to Friday, and can help you to fill in the form. Helpdesk staff may also seek additional information from you where appropriate.
6. Post this Request for Assistance form to
Reconnecting People Helpdesk GPO Box 7788 Canberra Mail Centre, ACT 2610
Reconnecting People Assistance Package
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PRIVACY
Reconnecting People Personal Information comprises any personal information gathered as part of the application process, including medical information or records, about you and any dependent child(ren) and, if applicable, the personal information about your partner/spouse.
The Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA) will collect and use Reconnecting People Personal Information for the purpose of assessing your eligibility to receive assistance from the Australian Government under the Reconnecting People Assistance Package.
FaCSIA may disclose Reconnecting People Personal Information to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA). These agencies form part of a panel to assist FaCSIA in assessing your eligibility to receive assistance under the Reconnecting People Assistance Package.
FaCSIA may use Reconnecting People Personal Information to verify your identity, and that of your dependent child(ren) if applicable, with other relevant Australian Government Departments (including DIAC and Centrelink) for assessing your eligibility to receive assistance under the Reconnecting People Assistance Package.
If a Centrelink Family Liaison Officer is assigned to provide you with assistance, Reconnecting People Personal Information may be disclosed to Centrelink for these purposes.
Reconnecting People Personal Information may also be disclosed to other agencies providing services to FaCSIA for the purpose of administering the Reconnecting People Assistance Package, including where it is necessary to provide you with assistance or to check that the assistance meets your needs and is being properly provided.
Reconnecting People Personal Information will not be used for any other purpose, not be added to any mailing list or not be disclosed to any person or organisation, without your consent or unless authorised or required by law.
LEGAL GUARDIANS
A guardian is someone appointed under the laws of a State/Territory who has the authority to make personal and lifestyle decisions on behalf of a person. The extent of this authority will depend upon the terms of the relevant guardianship order.
Your guardian, if you have one, may or may not also be the guardian of your dependent child(ren) seeking assistance. If your guardian is not the guardian of your dependent child(ren) seeking assistance then consent to provide personal information and obtain medical records about the dependent child(ren) must be obtained from someone with appropriate legal authority. This could include the other parent or another guardian.
A guardian is required to complete Part C of this form. A guardian should complete Parts A, B and D on behalf of the applicant only if the applicant is incapable of doing so. A copy of the Guardianship Order or orders that are applicable should be attached to the application.
An applicant who is capable of completing the form and providing the necessary consent need only complete Parts A and B, but can nominate a person to act on their behalf in Part D if necessary.
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CONSENT
I consent to the collection, use and disclosure to specified third parties (including DIAC, DoHA and Centrelink) of my personal information provided on this form or as part of the application process, including medical information or records, for the purposes outlined above.
_____Off _____Yes (please tick)
______________________________________ [Signature of Claimant]
_______/_______/_______ [Date]
I consent to the collection, use and disclosure to specified third parties (including DIAC, DoHA and Centrelink) of my dependent child(ren)’s personal information provided on this form or as part of the application process, including my child(ren)’s medical information or records, for the purposes outlined above.
_____Off _____Yes (please tick)
______________________________________ [Signature of Claimant]
_______/_______/_______ [Date]
I am the partner/spouse of the Claimant. I consent to the collection, use and disclosure to specified third parties (including DIAC, DoHA and Centrelink) of my personal information provided on this form or as part of the application process, for the purposes outlined above.
_____Off _____Yes (please tick)
______________________________________ [Signature of Partner/Spouse]
_______/_______/_______ [Date]
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PART A: PERSONAL DETAILS
These questions are asked so that we can assess whether you, or your dependent child(ren) if applicable, are eligible for assistance. We need to be able to work out what assistance will be most helpful to you, or your dependent child(ren) if eligible. You do not have to answer all of the questions, but you should be aware that if you do not then we
may not be able to assist you.
1. Your personal details
Title (e.g. Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms, Other)
_____________________ Male _____ Female _____
Family name
__________________________________________
Given name(s)
__________________________________________
Other known name(s)
__________________________________________
Date of birth
_______/_______/_______ Nationality _____________________
Contact phone number
__________________________________________
Home or postal address
__________________________________________
The following financial information is required so that we can pay the assistance into your bank account, if you are found to be eligible.
Name of bank, building society or credit union
__________________________________________
Type of account (e.g. savings, cheque)
__________________________________________
Branch where your account is held
__________________________________________
Branch number (BSB)
__________________________________________
Account number
__________________________________________
Account held in the name(s) of
__________________________________________
Do you need an interpreter?
_____Yes _____No (please tick)
Do you have a Guardian?
_____Yes (Your Guardian will need to completed Part C Titled "To be completed by legal Guardian" of this form) _____No (please tick)
Would you like to nominate someone to act on your behalf when dealing with this claim?
_____Yes (Your Nominee will need to completed Part D titled "To be completed if you are arranging for another person (Nominee) to act on your behalf" of this form)
_____No (please tick)
Are you an Australian Citizen?
_____Yes (please go to question 2) _____No (please tick)
Are you a permanent resident of Australia?
_____Yes _____No (please tick)
2. Do you have a partner/spouse?
_____Yes _____No (please go to question 3)
Will your partner/spouse be claiming under this assistance package? (please tick)
_____No _____Don't know
_____Yes (your partner/spouse will need to lodge a separate application form)
Do you want the Australian Government to disclose information about your claim to your partner? You can change this authority at any time by calling the Reconnecting People Helpdesk Freecall 1800 133 608.
_____Yes _____No (please tick)
3. Please provide details of any dependent child(ren) who you believe were inappropriately detained
(Family members 16 years or older need to make their own requests for assistance)
| Family Name |
Given name(s) |
Date of birth |
Relationship to you (e.g. daughter/son) |
Location where held in immigration detention |
|
|
_______/_______/_______ |
|
|
|
|
_______/_______/_______ |
|
|
|
|
_______/_______/_______ |
|
|
(if more than 3 please attach another page with the details)
Has your partner/spouse already requested assistance under this package in respect of these dependent child(ren)?
_____Yes _____No (please tick)
4. Details about what happened to you or your dependent child(ren) in immigration detention
Please do your best to provide as much information as possible, and please attach any additional information you would like to support your claim for assistance to the back of this form. Any information you provide will help us work out what assistance is available for you.
Have you or your dependent child(ren) been held in immigration detention?
_____Yes _____No (please tick)
Detention identification number(if known)
__________________________________________
How long were you held in immigration detention? (please include dates)
From _______/_______/_______ to _______/_______/_______
Where were you held in immigration detention? (name of detention centre, state, or other place)
__________________________________________
Have you or your dependent child(ren) been awarded with a compensation claim in respect to your inappropriate detention? Any assistance given to you under the Reconnecting People Assistance Package does not affect your claim for compensation.
_____No _____Yes (if yes, please provide details)
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Please comment on how you or your dependent child(ren)’s time in immigration detention was inappropriate? Please provide as much information as possible and attach additional information at the end of this form if necessary.
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Please comment on how you or your dependent child(ren)’s time in immigration detention has adversely affected your life? Please provide as much information as possible and attach additional information at the end of this form if necessary.
Home?
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Job?
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Family?
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Health?
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Other?
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Is there any other information you would like to give to us that you feel is important for us to consider this claim?
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
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PART B: YOUR DECLARATION
Before you can receive assistance under the Reconnecting People Assistance Package, you must provide FaCSIA with Proof of Identity to verify the identify of yourself, and/or your dependent child(ren) if applicable. Proof of Identity will be proof of birth/proof of arrival and any other documents to the value of 100 points e.g. driver’s licence, birth certificate, passport. If you need help with this please call the Reconnecting People Helpdesk Freecall 1800 133 608.
Your original documents are valuable to you and should not be provided with this claim. Please supply copies, which have been certified by a person who is authorised to witness a statutory declaration. The following is a list of some of the people who can certify the copies of your documents:
- a justice of the peace
- a clerk, barrister or solicitor
- a member of the police force
- a registered medical practitioner
- a registered dentist
- a veterinary practitioner
- a pharmacist
- a minister of religion authorised to celebrate marriages, and
- the manager of a bank.
For a full list of people who can certify your Proof of Identity documents please call the Reconnecting People Helpdesk Freecall 1800 133 608.
An appropriate form of certification of the copies of your original documents is:
“I certify that this is a true and correct copy of the original document”
______________________________________ [Name of Certifier]
______________________________________ [Signature of Certifier]
______________________________________ [Position of Certifier]
_______/_______/_______ [Date]
_____ I have attached certified true copies of my Proof of Identity documentation to the back of this form (please tick)
_____OffOffI certify that the information I have given is correct, to the best of my knowledge (please tick)
______________________________________ [Signature of Claimant]
_______/_______/_______ [Date]
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PART C: TO BE COMPLETED BY A LEGAL GUARDIAN
Details of Claimant:
Title (e.g. Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms, Other)
_____________________ Male _____ Female _____
Family name
__________________________________________
Given name(s)
__________________________________________
Other known name(s)
__________________________________________
Date of birth
_______/_______/_______ Nationality _____________________
Contact phone number
__________________________________________
Home or postal address
__________________________________________
I have attached a copy of any guardianship order applicable to the person seeking assistance and/or dependent child(ren). (please tick) _____
As Guardian:
I consent to my personal information (including details provided in this application) being disclosed to third parties including DIAC, DoHA and Centrelink for purposes connected with this claim for assistance.
_____Yes _____No (please tick)
I confirm that the Claimant is incapable of completing the application form and is not capable of providing the consent to obtain their medical information. Accordingly I am completing the application form and providing the consent to obtain this medical information on their behalf.
_____Yes _____No (please tick)
I confirm that I am the guardian of the dependent child(ren) who is/are the subject of this application and that I am providing the consent on their behalf.
_____Yes _____No (please tick)
I confirm that the information provided is correct, to the best of my knowledge and belief.
_____Yes _____No (please tick)
______________________________________ [Name of Guardian]
______________________________________ [Signature of Guardian]
_______/_______/_______ [Date]
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PART D: TO BE COMPLETED IF YOU ARE ARRANGING FOR ANOTHER PERSON (NOMINEE) TO ACT ON YOUR BEHALF
Title (e.g. Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms, Other)
_____________________
Family name
__________________________________________
Given name(s)
__________________________________________
Other known name(s)
__________________________________________
Contact phone number
__________________________________________
Home or postal address
__________________________________________
The Nominee's relationship to you? (e.g. father, sister
__________________________________________
2. Your authority for this person to act on your behalf
I authorise the person specified above (my authorised Nominee) to act on my behalf in dealing with FaCSIA in relation to my claim for the purpose of assessing my eligibility (and the eligibility of my dependent child(ren), if applicable) to receive assistance under the Reconnecting People Assistance Package.
______________________________________ [Signature of Claimant]
_______/_______/_______ [Date]
If you or a person acting on your behalf needs legal assistance in completing this application, you should contact the Legal Aid Commission in your relevant State or Territory.
3. Authorised Nominee’s agreement and consents
As authorised Nominee:
I agree to act on behalf of the Claimant mentioned above (and on behalf of their dependent child(ren) if applicable) in relation to this claim and in dealing with FaCSIA for the purposes of assessing eligibility under the Reconnecting People Assistance Package.
_____Yes _____No (please tick)
I consent to my personal information (including details provided in this application) being disclosed to third parties including DIAC, DoHA and Centrelink for purposes connected with processing this claim for assistance.
_____Yes _____No (please tick)
I declare and accept that any personal information I am given access to under this arrangement is protected under Commonwealth legislation. I agree to access, use or disclose such information only as authorised by the person to whom the information relates.
_____Yes _____No (please tick)
I declare and accept that my appointment as an authorised Nominee may be revoked or suspended by FaCSIA should I not comply with my responsibilities and obligations.
_____Yes _____No (please tick)
I confirm that the information provided is correct, to the best of my knowledge and belief.
_____Yes _____No (please tick)
______________________________________ [Name of authorised Nominee]
______________________________________ [Signature of authorised Nominee]
_______/_______/_______ [Date]