National Test
Monday 27 July 2026. A test of Australia’s national emergency alerting system. More information at ausalert.gov.au.
Learn more about AusAlertSWDA Community
Moments from SWDA programs, celebrations and community events across Victoria.
Empowering Victorian African communities through culturally responsive services that support refugees and migrants, including children, young people, women, families, older people, and people with disability, since 2004.
SWDA is a community-led not-for-profit organisation committed to promoting inclusion, social cohesion, and positive change through person-centred, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive programs that strengthen individuals, families, and communities.
More than 10,000 individuals and families from African heritage communities have been supported since 2004, including people from Somali, Djiboutian, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Kenyan, Sudanese and South Sudanese refugee and migrant backgrounds, asylum seekers, international students and people from many other African backgrounds.
Delivered housing advocacy and settlement support, contributing to more than 3,000 housing relocations and over 3000 transfer applications for high-rise residents, new applications for homelessness individuals and families in need, and community members experiencing housing instability. SWDA supports people to navigate housing systems and access safe, secure and suitable accommodation.
21 years of continuous, culturally safe support from our Kensington and Flemington offices.
Refugee Week 2026
SWDA proudly celebrated Refugee Week on 20 June 2026, in recognition of World Refugee Day under the global theme “Until Everyone is Safe.”
This important occasion honours the strength, courage, and resilience of refugees and people seeking asylum, while also recognising their valuable contributions to our community and to Australia.
Through this celebration, SWDA continues its commitment to inclusion, cultural diversity, and social connection, bringing together families, community members, and partners to share stories and stand in solidarity.
Together, we continue to work towards a future where everyone is safe, welcomed, and belongs.
What We Do
Culturally responsive support that helps people find work, learn with confidence, and build stronger futures.
Employment & Careers
Empowering African Australian jobseekers through employment pathways, skills development, and personalised support.
SWDA’s VACAP Employment Brokers Program provides culturally responsive employment support to help African Australian jobseekers overcome barriers, build confidence, develop skills, and connect with meaningful career opportunities.
Supporting refugees, migrants, young people, women, skilled professionals and jobseekers to navigate the Australian employment system and achieve their career goals.
Skills & Training
Building skills, confidence, and employment opportunities through practical, culturally responsive workshops.
SWDA’s Employment Brokers Workshops equip African Australian jobseekers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in the Australian workforce.
Fill in the form below and our team will confirm your place.
Education & Youth
Supporting children and young people to succeed through learning, mentoring, and educational pathways since 2007.
SWDA’s Homework Club provides a safe and inclusive learning environment for primary and secondary students, offering homework assistance, literacy and numeracy support, study skills development, and encouragement to build confidence and achieve their educational goals.
Practical & Family Support
Housing, Government, Document and Family Support
The SWDA Social Work Unit provides practical and supportive assistance to individuals and families to help them access essential services, understand government processes and navigate personal, family and community matters.
We support community members with housing, Centrelink, citizenship applications and practice tests, passport applications and renewals, forms and other important documents, as well as social work support, advocacy, information and referrals to appropriate services.
Our aim is to make these processes easier to understand and access, particularly for people who may experience language, cultural, digital or other barriers. We work alongside individuals and families in a respectful, confidential and supportive way.
Family & Education
Family Engagement and Student Support
The SWDA Social Work Unit works closely with students and their families to support learning, wellbeing and positive engagement in the school environment.
We liaise with parents, schools, teachers and other relevant services to understand students’ needs, identify barriers that may affect their learning or participation, and provide practical support.
We also assist families to communicate with schools, understand available support and stay actively involved in their children’s education. Where appropriate, we provide information, advocacy and referrals to relevant services.
Through this work, SWDA aims to strengthen the relationship between students, families and schools, helping students feel supported, included and confident in their learning and personal development.
Safety & Wellbeing
Supporting individuals and families affected by family violence through safe, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed services.
SWDA provides confidential support, information, advocacy, safety planning, referrals, and practical assistance to help people experiencing family violence access support, understand their rights, and move towards safety, healing, and wellbeing.
We work alongside individuals and families with compassion, respect, and cultural understanding to create safer pathways and stronger futures.
Information & Awareness
Raising awareness and promoting safe, respectful, and healthy relationships in our communities.
Family violence affects individuals, families, and communities across all cultures and backgrounds. Raising awareness is essential to promoting safety, respect, and healthy relationships. Everyone has the right to live free from violence, fear, and abuse.
Need support? Call 03 8596 7651 — Somali Women's Development Association Inc.
How We Help
SWDA supports individuals, young people, families, older adults, and communities through culturally responsive, person-centred, and trauma-informed programs that promote wellbeing, inclusion, empowerment, and social connection.
We work alongside people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, including children, young people, women, families, older people, and people with disability, by providing practical support, advocacy, information, and pathways to opportunities.
Our Core Services
For more than 20 years, SWDA has been committed to creating safe, inclusive, and empowering spaces where individuals and families can access support, build confidence, strengthen connections, and achieve their goals.
Emergency Food Security Relief
Providing emergency food relief and practical support to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity and financial hardship.
SWDA's Emergency Food Security Program provides culturally responsive food relief, essential groceries, and referrals to support services, helping people meet their immediate needs while connecting them with pathways to long-term wellbeing, stability, and community support.
Support SWDA
Help us keep the Homework Club, Emergency Food Relief and community celebrations running for African Australian families across Victoria.
We thank all of our contributors for their enduring support. For every $1 raised from our government and corporate partners, trusts, foundations and individual supporters, 86 cents is spent directly on programs that assist disadvantaged people in our community.
How to Get Involved
Community Event
Celebrating Women’s Leadership, Strength and Achievement
On Sunday, 8 March 2026, the Somali Women’s Development Association Inc. (SWDA) proudly celebrated International Women’s Day, bringing women, families and community members together to recognise and celebrate the achievements, leadership and contributions of women.
International Women’s Day is observed globally on 8 March and provides an opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements while continuing to promote women’s rights, equality and participation. In 2026, UN Women highlighted the theme “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Justice. Action.”
SWDA’s 2026 celebration focused on women’s leadership, empowerment and achievement, recognising the important role women play in strengthening families, supporting communities and creating positive change.
The event provided an opportunity to:
SWDA recognises that women contribute to their communities in many different ways. Women are leaders in families, workplaces, businesses, community organisations, education, advocacy and social change.
For women from African, Somali and other multicultural communities, leadership can also involve navigating new environments, supporting families, overcoming barriers and creating opportunities for future generations.
Through its programs and community services, SWDA continues to support women to build confidence, develop skills, access opportunities, advocate for their rights and participate fully in community life.
International Women’s Day is not only a day to celebrate. It is also a time to reflect on the challenges women continue to face and to strengthen our commitment to creating communities where women and girls are respected, supported, safe and able to reach their full potential.
SWDA believes that when women are supported to lead, families and communities become stronger. By creating opportunities for women to have their voices heard and participate in decision-making, we can contribute to a more inclusive and connected community.
SWDA remains committed to supporting, empowering and celebrating women throughout the year. International Women’s Day provides an important opportunity to recognise progress, celebrate achievements and encourage continued action for women and girls.
Together, we celebrate the women who lead, inspire, support and create change in our communities.
International Women’s Day 2026
Sunday, 8 March 2026
Theme: Women’s Leadership: Inspiring Change, Empowering Communities
SWDA — Celebrating Women. Empowering Communities. Inspiring Change.
Events
Join community leaders, practitioners, partners and young people for the SWDA National Conference 2026 — a day of shared learning, cultural connection and community-led change.
The conference brings together African Australian communities, government and service partners to share practice, celebrate achievements and shape the next chapter of culturally responsive support in Australia.
Register your interest: call 03 8596 7651 or email admin@swdai.org.au.
Make a Booking — Enrolment Form
Complete this form and our Social Work Unit will contact you about your booking. Your information will be treated respectfully and confidentially.
Phone: 03 8596 7651
Email: admin@swdai.org.au