The 4th Australia and New Zealand Refugee Trauma Recovery in Resettlement Conference is a leading international forum dedicated to advancing knowledge and practice in the field of refugee trauma recovery. Organised by the NSW-based not-for-profit STARTTS on behalf of the Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT), the conference brings together ...
NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS)
4th Australia and New Zealand Refugee Trauma Recovery in Resettlement Conference
GOAL
$20,000
Australia > NSW > Metro and Regional
Field of Interest
- Education/training and employment
- Health/wellbeing and medical research
Target Population
- Asylum seekers, refugees, migrants and people from CALD backgrounds
- General population
NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS)
STARTTS is a specialist, not-for-profit organisation that was established in 1988. It provides culturally relevant psychological treatment and support, and community interventions, to help people and communities heal the scars of torture and refugee trauma and rebuild their lives in Australia. STARTTS also fosters a positive recovery environment through the provision of training to services, advocacy and policy work.
Project Summary
The 4th Australia and New Zealand Refugee Trauma Recovery in Resettlement Conference is a leading international forum dedicated to advancing knowledge and practice in the field of refugee trauma recovery. Organised by the NSW-based not-for-profit STARTTS on behalf of the Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT), the conference brings together practitioners, researchers, community leaders, policymakers, and lived experience advocates from across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. This event is the largest of its kind globally, offering a critical platform for cross-sector collaboration and the exchange of ideas, research, and best practice in supporting recovery and resettlement for survivors of refugee trauma.
The 2026 conference takes place against the backdrop of unprecedented global displacement and a concerning erosion of human rights. In this context, the event serves as both a call to action and an opportunity for shared learning and solidarity across borders and disciplines.
With participants from across government, health, education, community, and academic sectors, the conference fosters dialogue and connection between those directly supporting refugee communities and those shaping the policies and research that affect them. As the refugee sector faces increasingly complex challenges, this conference plays a vital role in strengthening our collective capacity to respond with compassion, innovation, and impact.
Project Outcomes
The 4th Australia and New Zealand Refugee Trauma Recovery in Resettlement Conference aims to generate meaningful, practical outcomes that strengthen the sector’s capacity to support individuals and communities impacted by refugee trauma. Central to this is the promotion of cross-sector collaboration, bringing together professionals from clinical, community, research, and policy backgrounds to share expertise and build cohesive, trauma-informed approaches to resettlement and recovery.
A key outcome is the dissemination of current research, emerging practices, and lived experience perspectives that can shape more effective, responsive services. By creating a platform for rigorous dialogue and knowledge exchange, the conference supports evidence-based innovation in mental health, settlement support, community development, and systems advocacy. Participants are encouraged to take insights back to their workplaces and communities, embedding learning into practice and policy.
The conference also seeks to elevate lived experience leadership and embed refugee voices in decision-making processes. This contributes to more inclusive program design and service delivery, and builds capacity within communities to support healing, resilience, and advocacy.
At a broader level, the conference promotes alignment across Australia and New Zealand in approaches to refugee trauma recovery, contributing to greater regional consistency, cooperation, and shared learning. It also aims to inform national and local policy by highlighting critical issues faced by forcibly displaced people and the services that support them.
Ultimately, the conference seeks to advance recovery and resettlement outcomes for refugees and asylum seekers by strengthening the systems, knowledge, and relationships that support their long-term wellbeing.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $510,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| FASSTT Network | $150,000 |
| RASNZ | $25,000 |
| Ticket Income (only confirmed tickets counted) | $94,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Venue Hire and Catering | $341,650 |
| Conference App | $22,600 |
| Printing and Promotion | $53,000 |
| Entertainment and AV | $18,000 |
| Delegate Services (including travel costs for international speakers | $75,000 |
Support NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS)
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