Unaccompanied Humanitarian Minors (UHM) Program

Supporting young new Australians to build skills, confidence and independence

MercyCare’s Unaccompanied Humanitarian Minors (UHM) program supports children and young people aged 0–18 who have arrived in Australia on a humanitarian visa without a parent or legal guardian.

We provide safe, stable accommodation and personalised support to help young people feel secure, develop life skills and transition confidently into independent living in Australia.

What We Offer

Our UHM program delivers holistic care, accommodation and settlement support tailored to the individual needs of each young person.

Many of the young people we support may have experienced trauma, displacement, language barriers, disability, mental health challenges or disrupted education. Our approach is therapeutic, culturally responsive and focused on long-term wellbeing.

Safe and Supportive Accommodation

A secure, home-like environment
24/7 care and supervision
Dedicated case workers

Individualised Care and Settlement Support

Care plans tailored to each young person’s developmental, cultural and emotional needs
Support connecting to culture, faith and community
Access to education, health and community services

Building Skills for Independence

We help young people develop the skills they need to thrive in Australia, including:

Life management and budgeting skills
Personal wellbeing and mental health support
Understanding Australian laws, customs and social expectations
Confidence to engage with education, employment and community life

Who We Support

The Unaccompanied Humanitarian Minors program is available to young people aged 0–18 who:

Have been granted a visa under Australia’s offshore Humanitarian Programme.
Have arrived in Australia without a parent or legal guardian
Are referred to MercyCare by the Department of Home Affairs

All participants are referred directly by the Department of Home Affairs.

Our Approach

Our multilingual and multi-faith team provides compassionate, trauma-informed care. We focus on helping each young person feel safe, respected and empowered to build a positive future in Australia.