Multicultural and refugee health service in Hunter New England
We support clinicians to provide equitable and accessible public health care to our multicultural, refugee and Deaf communities.
Our service programs
We offer 3 service programs:
- Health care interpreter services provide interpreters for telephone, video and on-site appointments for health professionals and patients within Hunter New England LHD and other local health districts by agreement.
- Multicultural liaison programs to support clinical units that provide services to multicultural communities. We help with service planning, education and advice for staff.
- Refugee health services provide on-arrival health screening and health care for refugees in Hunter New England LHD.
Health care interpreter service
This service is free for all patients and is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Service bookings are managed by staff and is used in all essential communication.
Interpreters make sure:
- information is kept confidential
- information is accurately translated
- to protect client privacy and obtain informed consent.
The service prioritises public health facilities across northern and western NSW.
Other health services and private providers can request for our interpreters by completing the online private providers interpreter request form. You can also contact our service for translation requests.
Do you need an interpreter urgently?
If you need an interpreter immediately or within the next 2 days, please call (02) 4924 6285.
As of 1 July 2024, costs for private providers to access interpreter services during business hours are:
| Service | Initial cost | Cost for additional time |
| Phone interpreter service | $50 for first 30 minutes (plus GST) | $25 for every additional 15 minutes after (plus GST) |
| Video conference interpreting service | $90 for first 1 hour (plus GST) | $45 for every additional 30 minutes after (plus GST) |
| Onsite or in-person interpreter service | $300 for 2.5 hours (plus GST) | $60 for every additional 30 minutes after (plus GST) |
| Travelling allowance | $90 per hour for distances more than 50 kms in each direction. | |
Multicultural Health Liaison Service
The service works with Hunter New England LHD staff and patients from multicultural communities to provide:
- culturally safe and accessible consultations
- an obstetrics and maternity program
- translated health information in multiple languages
- community education programs on various health topics
- referrals to external multicultural community organisations, members, and support services.
Hunter New England Interpreter Services
Hunter New England LHD Interpreter Services
Hunter New England Local Health District provides interpreter services in over 90 languages.
Refugee health service
The service provides free and confidential support and consultations for people who have recently arrived from overseas for humanitarian reasons.
The services include:
- immunisation services
- community-based consultations
- nurse-led health assessments and screening
- culturally safe and accessible medical consultations
- referrals (including dental) to other specialist services, where necessary.
Virtual care appointments
Virtual care (telehealth) uses technology to offer patients and consumers a convenient way to connect with health professionals. Virtual care has many benefits for patients, carers, and health professionals. Learn more about virtual care.
Resources for multicultural families
There are services and supports available for multicultural and diverse communities and families. Below are useful links to find more information.
Translated health information
- Appointment Reminder Translation Tool
- NSW Multicultural Health Communication Services - Translated Resources
- Victorian Health Translations Library - Multilingual health and wellbeing information
Settlement services
- Mosaic Multicultural Connections - assists people from migrant refugee backgrounds and communities.
- Settlement Services International - supports families with settlement, health, education and wellbeing.
Disability advocacy
- Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association - advocacy support for people who have a disability, their families and carers from multicultural and non-English speaking diverse backgrounds in NSW.
Other useful links
- Family Safety Pack - fact sheets in 46 languages about Australia's laws on domestic and family violence, sexual assault, forced marriage, a woman's right to be safe and other important topics.
- Operation Data Portal – Refugee Emergencies
- Raising bilingual or multilingual children - links and tips for raising children who are bilingual or multilingual.
Contact multicultural health
Call (02) 4924 6285 or email HNELHD-MulticulturalHealth@health.nsw.gov.au for service requests or more information.
Find a multicultural health service
Use our Service Directory to find a health service near you.