New migrant information

Welcoming newcomers to the City of Stirling

With a thriving population of over 219,000 and a total land area of over 100km2, the City of Stirling is one of Western Australia’s major local government areas.

The City prides itself on its culturally diverse community and on providing a consistently high standard of services, resources and amenities to its residents.

The Mayors Message

Welcome from the Mayor

On behalf of the City of Stirling and the local community, I would like to welcome all newcomers to the City of Stirling. I am very pleased that you have chosen the City of Stirling as your new home.

I understand it can take some time to settle into a new community. However, the City aims to ensure all newcomers feel welcome, connected and valued. There are many local services, facilities and resources available to support you to make the City of Stirling your new home. I hope this Newcomer’s Guide will help you to connect, thrive and settle in the City of Stirling and I would like to thank you for joining our local community.

Welcome to the City of Stirling.

Mark Irwin
Mayor

Useful information for migrants and newcomers

Click the links below to find out more about the City's available services and resources.

Newcomers Guide

This guide has been developed to assist in meeting the diverse needs of people arriving to make their home in the City of Stirling. The guide highlights real peoples stories and provides helpful information to assist newcomers in accessing services.

View the guide in a number of languages below:

Legal support and services

To help you settle in, get to know the local laws and your rights as a community member.

  • Legal Aid WA - The largest provider of legal aid services. For more information, call 1300 650 579 or visit the Legal Aid WA website.

  • Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre - A legal service that aims to give disadvantaged and low-income earners access to legal services. For more information, call (08) 9440 1663 or visit the Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre website.

  • Circle Green Community Legal - Provides advice to help resolve tenancy problems, and legal advice to new migrants. For more information, call (08) 6148 3636 or visit the Circle Green Community Legal website.

Welcome video

Play video button

To view more Newcomer stories, visit YouTube.

Integration and settlement support

The Welcome Hub is an integrated service model with a one-stop settlement shop based at the Stirling Leisure Centres - Herb Graham - Mirrabooka. Satellite services will also be offered within the cities of Wanneroo and Swan.

The Welcome Hub has been established through a partnership of five organisations:

Services offered

The Welcome Hub offers a range of services including:

  • Settlement-related information, advice, advocacy, and assistance to access mainstream and other relevant services
  • Individualised casework and specialist support for all ages for individuals and families
  • Needs based group and information sessions for adults, youth and children
  • Community capacity building and leadership programs.

Eligibility criteria

The Welcome Hub can assist people who have been in Australia less than five years and have arrived on Humanitarian or Family Stream visas. Clients can walk in to the Welcome Hub or be referred. All services are free including interpreting.

Funding

The Welcome Hub is funded through the Department of Home Affairs under the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support Program which is designed to equip and empower humanitarian entrants and other eligible clients and communities in their first five years in Australia to improve social participation, economic well-being, independence, personal well-being and community connectedness.

Contact the Welcome Hub

Located within Stirling Leisure Centres - Herb Graham - Mirrabooka

38 Ashbury Crescent, Mirrabooka 

Phone (08) 9205 8873

Email welcomehub@stirling.wa.gov.au

Multicultural Framework

The City of Stirling's Multicultural Framework underpins the City’s vision of achieving an inclusive and harmonious community. The framework builds on the City’s achievements by focusing on three key areas – our newcomers, our community and our organisation.

Multicultural Framework

Stirling Multicultural Advisory Network

The Stirling Multicultural Advisory Network (SMAN) aims to actively support the City’s Multicultural Framework development, including the implementation of actions, tracking, progress and reporting. Members are passionate about promoting cultural diversity and meet regularly to provide advice to the City on issues relating to people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) backgrounds.

Terms of reference are available here

Mirrabooka Multicultural Centre

Funded by the Department of Home Affairs, the Mirrabooka Multicultural Centre (MMC) aims to support newly arrived families in Australia.

The centre offers a range of education workshops, mentoring programs and unique facilities such as:

  • A function space suitable for up to 150 people that can be hired for special occasions
  • A large catering style kitchen with two ovens, two fridges, extensive bench space, bain-maries and dishwashing facilities
  • Three separate spaces suitable for training, seminars or small functions
  • An extensive crèche space including playground, outdoor area, well-equipped kitchen and toilets which can be hired for children’s birthdays, activities, playgroups and childcare organisations 
  • Private rooms for hire which are suitable for community and business meetings and includes free Wi-Fi and the option to hire an overhead projector.

Location and opening hours

Mirrabooka Multicultural Centre is located at Herb Graham Recreation Centre, 38 Ashbury Crescent, Mirrabooka WA 6061.

DayHours
Monday - Friday8.30am - 9.30pm
Saturday and Sunday9.00am - 5.00pm
Public holidaysClosed
Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Good FridayClosed

Language and translating support 

English language support

If you need help to improve your English language skills, you may be eligible for assistance from the Adult Migrant English program (AMEP) run by the Australian Government.

For more information, please visit AMEP.

Interpreting and translating services

Interpreting and translating services are available to our non-English speaking residents via the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS). The service provides language interpreting in 160 languages for government agencies, not-for-profit organisations and businesses.

To use this service, please phone TIS on 13 14 50 within Australia or +613 9268 8332 from overseas.

Department of Home Affairs

The Department of Home Affairs provides free translating services for people settling permanently in Australia, and to those enrolled in the adult migrant English program (AMEP). For more information, please phone the DSS on 1800 962 100.

Please note, if you wish to contact the Department of Home Affairs with assistance from an interpreter, please phone TIS on 131 450 and provide the operator with the Department of Home Affairs phone number.