The Asylum Seeker Assistance (ASA) scheme provides limited income support, health care and other services to PV applicants in the community, who are identified as vulnerable. The scheme is currently administered by the Australian Red Cross under contract to the department.
Recipients must be at certain stages of their visa processing (see eligibility criteria listed below), and/or meet exemption criteria (see exemption criteria listed below). They must be in financial hardship. Eligibility for ongoing support is reviewed regularly.
To apply for ASA, eligible PV applicants should go to the Australian Red Cross in their nearest state or territory capital city.
In 2008?09, the scheme assisted 2692 clients at a cost of $7.04 million."
