Settlement Services International (SSI) has officially opened a new office in Zillmere to enhance local collaboration and support services for migrant and refugee communities.
Community Hub Opens in Zillmere
Settlement Services International (SSI) has marked the opening of a new community and office space in Brisbane North, situated at the Zillmere Community Centre. The office is intended to serve newly arrived migrants and refugees, delivering services under the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) program.
The space was officially launched on 24 April in the presence of government representatives Ms Anika Wells and Ms Leanne Linard, as well as local councillors.
Partnership with Zillmere Community Centre
The new SSI office is co-located at the Zillmere Community Centre, which is auspiced by the North East Community Support Group Inc. (NECSG). NECSG has operated since 1982 and sponsors various community-focused programs targeting poverty, homelessness, disability, isolation, and unemployment.
The Zillmere Community Centre is home to key NECSG services, including the Zillmere Young Peoples Support Services and the Zillmere Family Accommodation Program. It provides a local platform for accessible, grassroots support and program delivery.
A Strategic Response to Growing Demand
SSI’s Queensland State Director, Robert Hoitink, said the Zillmere office responds to increasing demand for place-based and culturally responsive support in one of Brisbane’s most diverse and fast-growing suburbs.
The SETS program provides early settlement assistance to newcomers, helping them build essential life skills, gain economic independence, and establish social networks. The hub also offers SSI a base for strengthening local partnerships and coordinating wrap-around support services in collaboration with councils, cultural leaders, NGOs, and other government agencies.
Service Integration Without Duplication
SSI emphasised that the Zillmere office is designed to complement—not replicate—existing community services. The organisation intends to collaborate closely with other service providers, ensuring coordinated delivery of support across employment, social inclusion, and integration pathways.
SSI General Manager for Newcomers, Integration and Settlement, Ms Yamamah Agha, noted that existing partnerships with councils, faith groups and community services would form the foundation for the Zillmere office’s coordinated model of support.
The office represents another stage in SSI’s commitment to delivering strengths-based services across Queensland, led by the needs and insights of the local community.
Published 25-Apr-2025