Ethnic workers + services

If you come from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background or non-English speaking background (NESB), you might feel more comfortable speaking to someone from a similar background as you.

Ethnic workers are NOT interpreters. They are usually trained in social work, welfare or psychology, and can help you if you have concerns about your health, welfare, employment, education, relationships, and so forth. They also work with other services to help make them more accessible for people who come from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Community health centres, ethno-specific services and migrant resource centres (MRCs) are a few services that are available to people who need assistance with English or who have recently arrived in Australia.

Ask about your privacy

It is a good idea to talk to the person you see about keeping your information private. In most situations, unless you say so, ethnic health workers have to keep what you tell them confidential. For more information about confidentiality you may want to check out the Confidentiality fact sheet.

What if I need an interpreter?

All services should have access to interpreters who speak languages other than English. Ethnic workers are not necessarily interpreters. Interpreters need specific qualifications and training.

More information

Contact the Department of Immigration and citizenship (DIMIA) or your local council for the contact details of your nearest service. 

There are other people, including Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800 - free call from landline) or Lifeline (13 11 14 - cost of local call from landline) who should be able to help you with some numbers in your local area. You can also read about other services in the Who can help you database on this site and look them up in your local phone book or check out the Yellow Pages online.

Acknowledgement

Thanks to NSW Transcultural Mental Health Centre and members of the Transcultural Youth Mental Health Network for preparing this factsheet.