On 3 Dec 2025, 97 participants from the Ministry, Local Health Districts, community services, and multicultural organisations joined our webinar exploring the latest migration trends in NSW — and what they mean for health equity, community engagement, and service planning.
The session drew on fresh migration data to provide actionable insights for health services, highlighting how new arrivals, visa-holders, asylum-seekers, international students, and temporary workers often face barriers to care, particularly for sensitive conditions like HIV, hepatitis, or STIs. Presenters shared strategies for culturally safe, multilingual, and low-barrier health services to improve prevention, reduce stigma, and support long-term community health. The webinar featured three powerful presentations followed by a lively Q&A.
Presenter Overview & Key Takeaways
| Presenter(s) | Organisation | Materials Available | Key Takeaways |
| Paula Schalke | NSW Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service | Download Slide Deck (PDF) | Overseas migration drove approximately 80% of NSW population growth in 2023–24. Migration is increasingly from Southern and Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, increasing demand for culturally appropriate, multilingual health services, particularly for BBV and STI prevention and care. |
| Kylie MacKie | Asylum Seekers Centre | Download Slide Deck (PDF) | Many asylum seekers face barriers including lack of Medicare access, language challenges, cost and stigma. The centre provides nurse-led clinics, pro-bono GPs, referral pathways and essential social services. Flexible, community-centred care is key to health equity. |
| Mal Fruen OAM & Tarek Koroisamanunu | NSW Council for Pacific Communities | Download Slide Deck (PDF) | Pacific workers under the PALM scheme often experience insecure visas, limited health access, social isolation and financial stress. Culturally safe outreach, advocacy for health access and community-led physical and mental health support are critical, particularly in regional areas. |
Click here to watch the full webinar.
Additional Resources
- NSW Post-Pandemic Migration Analysis Report 2025 [Download report]
- NSW STI Data Report 2024 [Download report]
- HIV. What You Need to Know (multilingual booklet) [Visit Resources & Education page]
- Are You Living with Hepatitis B? campaign resources [Visit Resources & Education page]
- NSW Council for Pacific Communities — [Visit website]
- Asylum Seekers Centre — [Visit website]
