What is the SETS Program and How Does It Support Young Refugees and Migrants in WA

Here’s how it works.

Arriving in a new country as a young person is one of the most complex experiences imaginable. A new language, a new city, an unfamiliar system of services, schools, and supports – and often, very little in the way of a safety net.

For many young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds settling in Western Australia, the challenges don’t end when they arrive. In many ways, that’s when they begin.

The Settlement Engagement and Transition Support program, known as SETS, exists to change that.

SETS is a flexible, culturally responsive casework program that supports young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds to navigate their settlement journey in Australia. Delivered by Youth Futures in partnership with Multicultural Services Centre WA, the program meets young people where they are – in their community, at their own pace, across the full complexity of what it means to build a new life.

Support through SETS covers housing, education, employment, mental health, legal matters, financial assistance, and pathways to Australian Citizenship. It’s not a one-size-fits-all service. It’s a relationship built around each young person’s individual needs, goals, and circumstances.

Who does SETS support?

SETS supports young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds who are settling in Perth. In 2025, the program worked with young people representing 34 different cultural backgrounds – a reflection of the rich diversity of the communities Youth Futures serves and the breadth of experience the team brings to their work.

James arrived in Australia from Zambia at 18, newly graduated and looking for connection in an unfamiliar city. He found his way to Altone Youth Centre through the local library, and from there was referred to the SETS program. With support from the Youth Futures team, he was connected to services, community networks, and the practical assistance he needed to find his footing in a new country.

For young people like James, SETS is often the bridge between arriving in Australia and truly beginning to belong here.

Support is tailored to where each young person is in their journey. For some, the most pressing need is housing – finding a safe, stable place to live while everything else is sorted out. For others, it’s education – understanding how the Australian school or TAFE system works and finding the right pathway forward. For others still, it’s employment readiness, legal support, or simply having someone who understands their background and can advocate for them in a system that can feel overwhelming.

In 2025 the SETS team provided 438 hours of direct one-on-one support and delivered 80 group sessions across four schools, reaching 1,535 young people through life skills programs and community activities. 58 young people were supported with employment readiness – building the skills, confidence, and connections needed to enter the workforce.

As Aye, a SETS participant, put it: “When I arrived in Australia, I had the opportunity to stay in another place. As I was turning 18, I thought my life would become incredibly difficult. But this program welcomed me warmly. Whenever I needed help, they patiently explained and taught me everything. Their warmth made me feel safe and comforted.”

Why cultural responsiveness matters

One of the things that sets SETS apart is its commitment to culturally responsive practice. This means more than simply acknowledging that young people come from different backgrounds. It means designing support that genuinely reflects and respects those backgrounds – in the way caseworkers communicate, the services they refer to, and the way they walk alongside young people through complex systems.

When a young person feels seen and respected for who they are and where they’ve come from, trust grows. And when trust grows, everything else becomes possible.

What’s next for SETS?

In 2026, SETS will continue to expand its reach. In addition to the northern corridor of Perth, the program will extend outreach to young people in the southern suburbs, building on the strong referral partnerships already developed with educational institutions, community organisations, and mainstream service providers across Perth.

Because every young person deserves the chance to truly belong.

If you work with young people from refugee or migrant backgrounds, or if you know a young person who has recently arrived in Australia and needs support, we’d love to connect.