About Outreach
The Irish Australian Supports Association of QLD (IASAQ) is a charity organisation that seeks to support the welfare of Irish Australians. Founded in 2007, IASAQ’s mission is to provide appropriate and valued assistance to the Irish Australian community in Queensland, making sure our community feels supported in times of isolation, vulnerability, or crisis.
Outreach Worker Program
Our Outreach and Referral Support Program (ORSP) at (IASAQ) assists and assesses each individual person’s needs after they reach out. We provide resources, support, information, and referral depending on the person’s circumstances. We understand everyone’s circumstances are different and we help all individuals where possible, regardless of age or concern.
Under the Outreach worker we can support, advocate, refer, and supply information regarding:
- Health services, including mental health
- NDIS, Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) mediation, and family wellbeing support.
- Housing
- Unemployment
- Incarceration support
- Visas & passports.
Contact the Outreach Worker Program
If you or someone you know would like support, please don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.
Phone or text: 0499 524 643
Email: outreachworker@iasaq.com.au
All enquiries and supports are treated in the strictest confidence.
Some examples of how we can help
IASAQ was contacted by an individual seeking support for a friend who had recently moved to Queensland on a Working Holiday Visa and had been here for just three months. They were encouraged to speak with our Outreach Worker, who, through discussion and assessment, identified concerns regarding their emotional well-being, a missing passport, financial and employment difficulties, and a limited support network. Over several weeks of contact and conversation, the individual recognised that returning to Ireland for ongoing support would be the best option. IASAQ assisted by securing safe accommodation, providing referrals and emotional support, and helping them obtain an emergency passport. We are proud to have played a role in ensuring their safety and well-being, ultimately helping them return home successfully.
A senior Irish member of our community reached out to IASAQ for support with light household tasks and shopping. During our discussions, they shared concerns about their physical health, which was making it difficult to manage daily routines and get out for essentials—this was also impacting their emotional well-being. They had been trying to access support through My Aged Care (MAC) but were struggling to get the necessary assessment. In response, IASAQ, through our Volunteer Coordinator, arranged for a suitable volunteer to provide weekly assistance in the interim. With the person’s consent, we helped register and access their MyGov account, researched service providers under MAC, and continued to follow up on their application. We also attended service provider meetings to gather information, ensuring they could make an informed choice about home care, appointments, and shopping assistance. The outcome was a success - the individual was granted a My Aged Care package, and a service provider was put in place to assist with their needs. IASAQ is proud to provide this vital support to the Irish and Irish Australian community, ensuring our members receive the care and assistance they deserve.