12 May 2026
Refugee Week is an annual national celebration promoting greater awareness of refugees, the issues they face and the contributions they make to the Australian community. This year it takes place from 14 to 20 June.
Refugee Week events and activities aim to foster connection, understanding and celebration. It also highlights various important aspects of healthcare for patients from refugee backgrounds in South Western Sydney, which receives the highest number of refugees in NSW.
Issues include:
- trauma-informed culturally safe care and the complex physical and mental health needs of this population, which often stem from trauma, interrupted care or resettlement challenges
- common barriers to healthcare, including language difficulties, lack of cultural awareness, financial constraints and complex navigation of health systems
- social determinants of health including housing, employment, education, visa status and concerns about family and friends in their home countries
- holistic and social support using community services to provide ‘wraparound’ care to support patients’ broader wellbeing
Find out more:
Refugee Week key activities and events
Organisations in South Western Sydney supporting refugees:
NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors
