Creative Responses to Settling New Refugees

Zara’s House in Newcastle quickly responded to Afghan refugee families, especially young wives and children of interpreters evacuated when the Australian military left Afghanistan. The centre offers English classes, citizenship, swimming, driving lessons, sewing, health lessons and school preparation for children.

Hume Community Hub in Victoria settles large groups of Syrian and Iraqi refugees by creating connections and networks, resourcing hubs within primary schools, and hiring staff with relevant cultural and bilingual skills. WhatsApp is used for ongoing communication and content sharing.

Fairfield Public School in NSW sees many refugee families settle quickly in the area. Multiple government and non-government services work together to support families, helping them navigate requirements and easing confusion. The concept of a “soft entry point”, a welcoming, safe space with non-judgemental support is critical for helping refugees feel comforted and guiding them through the settlement process.

Previous Reports

Hub Census 2025 – Key findings

The Hub Census 2025 highlights the significant role community hubs play in building belonging, strengthening early learning, and supporting pathways to participation and employment.

2025 in Review

This report highlights key outcomes, participation and impact from across the national community hubs network in 2025, reflecting progress at a national level and the ongoing support hubs provide to families through schools and local communities.

Mid-Year Update 2025

At the six-month mark of 2025, we look back on some of the stories of impact from our hubs network. The first half of 2025 has brought encouraging momentum – from sustaining a strong national footprint of 98 hubs to continuing the vital support hubs provide to families throughout the school year.

Independent evaluation: Deloitte Access Economics

The National Community Hubs Program (NCHP) was established in 2013 to engage newly arrived communities at risk of limited access to education, health and social services, and opportunities for economic independence.

Scanlon Foundation Research Institute Narrative 10 – Community in the Classroom

The purpose of this, our 10th Narrative, is to highlight the success of the work of Community Hubs Australia in primary schools and to consider whether the premise behind them could be applied in a secondary school context.

Knowledge Translation to Support Early Learning of Refugee Children and their Families

The research presented in this report is based on a three-year study that focussed on developing understandings and resources to support current and future community hubs and centres with the settlement and early learning of refugee children and their families.