Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Program – Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District

The UN Migration Agency (International Organization for Migration) visited Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District during July 2019. Staff members attended and heard about the activities and services of UN Migration Agency IOM.

Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) is an international migration service designed by IOM on behalf of governments to help eligible migrants make informed and voluntary choices about returning to their country of origin. Individuals who may be eligible for IOM AVR assistance include:

Those living in Australia on a bridging visa or other non-substantive visa; or
Those living in Australia without a visa or your visa has expired; or
Non-refugees at the Regional Processing Center in Nauru.

If you are considered to be eligible by the Department of Home Affairs, IOM can assist you in developing an individualized return option, which is jointly planned, safe and dignified without a cost to you. Since the commencement of the programme IOM, has assisted more than 7,500 migrants to return home in a safe and dignified manner.

In addition to return services, Irregular Maritime Arrivals (IMAs) may also be eligible to receive reintegration assistance upon returning to their home country. Since 2010, IOM has assisted over 2,750 families to successfully reintegrate in their society after returning home by helping them with means to, inter alia, set up businesses, find accommodation, and engage in vocational training.

What services does IOM provide through Assisted Voluntary Return?

Information and counselling regarding voluntary return with IOM.
Assistance in obtaining passports or travel documents.
Assist in transport arrangements such as booking flights.
Arrange for assistance once you return to your country.

The support you receive from IOM will depend on your individual circumstances.

The Assisted Volutary Return Program scopes to include those living in Australia on a bridging visa or other non-substantive visa; or those living in Australia without a visa or their visa has expired.

Staff at Ethnic Council may assist clients to learn more about this program and provide referrals to IOM.

Internatoinal Organization for Migration

	The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District acknowledges the Yorta Yorta People of the land which comprises the Goulburn Valley. We pay respect to tribal Elders, past, present and emerging and we celebrate their continuing culture and acknowledge the memory of their ancestors.
	The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District is a peak body whose mission is to promote and represent the social, cultural and economic well-being of ethnic communities in the Goulburn Valley Region through the provision of quality and innovative settlement, refugee support, community development, and information and advocacy services.