SearchOver 56,000 people in Darling Downs and West Moreton region were born in predominantly non-English speaking countries. Specifically, Toowoomba, Ipswich and Lockyer Valley regional areas have higher-than-average rates of migrants and those from refugee backgrounds who have entered Australia through immigration and humanitarian programs.
We partner with local health providers and multicultural associations to build capacity in primary care, improve health literacy and improve system-wide integration of resources for multicultural communities. In 2024, the Regional Health Collaborative published the Joint Regional Multicultural Health Needs Assessment which informs a baseline understanding of the needs and concerns facing this group in our community to use as the basis to enhance our healthcare planning and service provision.
PHN-funded interpreting services - Toowoomba region
Allied health professionals* delivering services within the Toowoomba LGA can register to receive Free Interpreting Services (FIS).
As the Toowoomba LGA is an official Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) location, private sector allied health professionals working within the LGA are eligible to access FIS when delivering services to patients of limited or no English proficiency who are eligible for Medicare.
Each allied health professional will need to register with the Department of Home Affairs TIS to gain their unique client code to access the service.
Find out more about eligibility and how to register on the TIS website.
*note – excludes Orthodontists, Dentist and Diabetes Educators.
PHN-funded interpreting services - whole region
For all other locations within our region, the PHN provides interpreting services for allied health professionals treating patients from refugee and multicultural backgrounds across our region.
On-site interpreting is not funded by this program. Allied Health providers need to submit an express their interest to be considered for this program.
Allied health professionals providing PHN-funded mental health and suicide prevention services are also eligible to use TIS national free of charge. If you provide a PHN-funded mental health or suicide prevention service, please speak with your commissioning coordinator for further information.
Refugee Health Outreach Program
Support and care coordination services for newly arrived people with a refugee background, with a focus on coordinating GP and allied health services and supporting general practice to conduct Refugee Health Assessments (Ipswich region) and improve health literacy.
Interpreting Services for Allied Health Professionals Program
The PHN and the Commonwealth Government's TIS (Translating and Interpreting Service) provide support options for eligible allied health professionals to assist with booking appointments and communicating health information to patients with limited or no English proficiency.
Resources
The Settlement Council of Australia have developed a video series to help increase awareness of screening importance and facilitate participation, particularly in bowel, breast, and cervical cancer screenings.
The videos are available in: English, Cantonese, Dari, Dinka, Hindi, Karen, Mandarin, Spanish, Swahili and Vietnamese.
