Warrnambool | A City for Living

GSC Settlement Guide

This guide brings together useful information and services to help you settle into life in the Great South Coast. Whether you're moving from overseas, interstate or elsewhere in Victoria, we hope it helps you feel at home sooner.

Find Services by Location

Glenelg SouthernGrampians Moyne Corangamite Colac-Otway Warrnambool

Find Services by Category

Houses
Accommodation
  • Rental services, public housing, short-term stay options, real estate agents
  • How to find rental accommodation (websites, agents)
  • Understanding leases, bonds, and tenants’…
Banking Services

Opening bank accounts, understanding financial services, budgeting support.

Community Centre
Community Centres and Networking

Local neighbourhood houses, cultural groups, libraries, and meeting spaces.

Driving and Transport
  • Getting a Victorian driver’s licence, road rules, public transport, bike paths.
  • Overseas licence conversion
  • Owning and registering a vehicle
  • Local driver education…
street trading
Employment Services

Job search assistance, resume writing, interview prep, Workforce Australia providers.

Job search platforms and local job networks (eg: Jobs & Skills Centre)

Qualifications…

Child painting
Family Services

Parenting support, childcare, maternal and child health services.

Civic centre
Government Services
  • Centrelink, Medicare, myGov setup, Department of Home Affairs, local councils.
  • Applying for a TFN
     
injection
Health and Medical Services

GP clinics, hospitals, dental, mental health, women's health, immunisation.

Interpreting and Translation

Access to free language interpreters, document translation.

workshop
Justice and Legal Assistance

Legal aid, tenancy advice, consumer rights, police services, local courts.

kids in the park
Kindergartens and Early learning
  • Enrolment processes, eligibility, fee assistance.
  • Accessing childcare subsidy (CCS)
     
spring flowers
Language and literacy Support

AMEP (Adult Migrant English Program), ESL classes, conversation groups.

Migrant Faces
Multicultural & Migrant Support Organisations

Diversitat, AMES, MiCare, local migrant resource centres, refugee support networks.

pedestrians
Orientation Programs
  • Welcome sessions, city tours, cultural briefings, support group introductions.
  • Overview of the region (geography, climate, lifestyle – similar to current welcome pack)
  • SETS…
Police & Safety Services
  • Community policing, emergency contacts (000), neighbourhood safety.
  • 106 text based service (intended for those with speech impediment but can be used by those with limited English)…
lecture theatre
Qualifications & Skills Recognition

Overseas qualification assessment, trades recognition, licensing.

new residents
Refugee & Asylum Seeker Services

Visa support, casework, trauma counselling, legal pathways.

writing
Schooling & Education

Enrolment in public/private schools, TAFE, university options

houses
Tenancy Advice

Rent rights, lease agreements, bond assistance, VCAT info.

it
Utilities & Internet

Setting up electricity, gas, water, phone and internet.

Breakwater works
Work Rights & Fair Treatment

Fair Work Ombudsman info, workplace safety, employee rights.

youth
Youth Services

Support for migrant young people: education, employment, recreation.

glowing archway
Zero-Cost Support

Free services available to migrants: legal clinics, English classes, local events.

Local News Outlets

Newspapers/ Digital, Commercial and Public Radio, Community Radio

This guide will continue to be updated over time. If your organisation or service should be included, please email ecodev@warrnambool.vic.gov.au with the subject line “Settlement Guide Listing Request”. We’ll review submissions for future updates.