VoRTCS
We understand that becoming part of a new community can be challenging. We're here to help.
About Our Refugee Tutoring Program - VoRTCS
The St Vincent de Paul Society QLD is a reliable resource for refugees seeking assistance in settling into a new home.
At St Vincent de Paul QLD, we provide in-home refugee tutoring and English language support to refugee families in Brisbane. We can help you and your family learn English and build your English language skills in your own home.
Our VoRTCS Program – Volunteer Refugee Tutoring and Community Support Program – is run by our amazing volunteer tutors and is available in the greater Brisbane area. Each week, tutors can visit you and your family in your home to help you build English language skills and offer a range of community support.
We want to ensure you get the right help. If you're ready to get assistance, read below for eligibility and next steps.
What Refugee Support Services We Provide
We can provide you and your family with education and training, including but not limited to:
- English Communication
- Digital Literacy
- Seeking Education
- Seeking Employment
- Community Participation
- Health and Wellbeing
- Financial Wellbeing Housing Transport
- Everyday Legal Issues
Are You Eligible?
To be eligible for our refugee support VoRTCS Program, your family must:
- Have been released from detention or settled in Australia for over 6 months and no greater than 5 years (some exceptions are made in special cases, such as those seeking asylum that have a stable address).
- Be residing in the Brisbane or Logan City Council Local Government Area.
- Have two or more family members (including at least one adult) who need ongoing weekly tutoring assistance and agree to participate in the program. Special exceptions may be made for single applicants if there are extenuating circumstances.
How To Get Help
Download our VoRTCS Family Referral Form below and send the completed form to info.vortcs@svdpqld.org.au.
If you would like to access our VoRTCS Program, please download our VoRTCS brochure.
You can also be referred to our VoRTCS Program by a community service or community member who is not related to you and is working with your family to access education.
If you have any questions about our refugee tutoring and education services, simply complete our online enquiry form here.
If you are a service provider wanting to refer a person to our VoRTCS Program, please download our VoRTCS Family Referral Form here and send the completed form to info.vortcs@svdpqld.org.au.
Looking to Volunteer?
If you are interested in volunteering at St Vincent de Paul, visit the volunteer page.
We are always in need of additional tutors in suburbs across Brisbane. Our VoRTCS volunteers are students, teachers, professionals, trades people, parents, international students and grandparents or can be someone who’s recently moved to Brisbane.
Before registering to attend a VoRTCS Family Tutor Information and Training Session, please read this checklist to see if this volunteer position is suitable for you.
You must:
- Have good spoken and written English skills.
- Be able to assist someone else with language skills (reading, writing, conversation).
- Manage your own transport to and from the family’s home.
- Commit to our Screening and Suitability requirements (National Criminal History check, Working with Children Blue Card application, and COVID-19 vaccination certificate).
- Attend a VoRTCS Family Tutor Information and Training Session (one full day compulsory session and any available refresher training that is offered).
- Are over 16 years old and if under 18 years old, can attain parental/guardian consent to volunteer.
- Able to tutor for one session a week for 90 minutes for most of the year.
- Volunteer during suitable times – Mon to Fri after 3:30pm or any time on Sat/Sun (time adjustments can be negotiated on meeting your family and team).
- Commit to volunteering for a minimum of 12 months.
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