Happening Now
tap a video to watchFrom belonging to participating.
Somcare educates, informs and encourages the Somali community to engage with wider Australian society — taking an active part in civic life, discharging our duties and exercising our rights.
Arrive & Settle
How Australian society and services work.
Learn
Your rights and responsibilities.
Engage
Schools, sport, councils, volunteering.
Participate
Enrol, vote, contribute, speak up.
Lead
Boards, committees and public life.
A bridge between the Somali community and wider Australia
Somcare is a community organisation working with Somali Australians to build full, confident participation in Australian civic life. Many in our community arrived seeking safety and a future — the next chapter is about contribution.
We work in plain English and Somali, alongside councils, schools, services and community elders, so that no one is left out of the conversation — turning observers into participants, and participants into leaders.
Our Mission
To educate, inform and encourage the Somali community to engage with wider Australian society and become active participants in all civic activities.
Our Vision
A Somali Australian community that is visible, heard and contributing at every level of Australian life — discharging its duties and exercising its rights.
Wadajir — Together
We move forward as one community.
Dignity & Respect
Honouring culture, faith and language.
Participation
Civic life belongs to everyone.
Integrity
Accurate information, earned trust.
Service
Giving back to our neighbourhoods.
Programs that open doors to civic life
Civic Education Workshops
How Australian democracy works: three levels of government, elections, and how decisions are made.
Enrol-to-Vote Drives
Helping eligible community members enrol with the AEC and vote with confidence.
Citizenship Support
Preparation for the citizenship test and ceremonies, in English and Somali.
Youth Leadership
Mentoring young Somali Australians into councils, clubs and community boards.
Volunteering Pathways
Connecting members with local volunteering — emergency services, schools, sport.
Community Conversations
Forums with councils, police, schools and services, so our voice shapes decisions.
Our duties
- Enrol and vote in federal, state and local elections
- Obey the law · serve on a jury if called
- Complete the Census and pay taxes honestly
- Contribute to and care for the local community
Our rights
- Have a say in who governs — and stand for office
- Freedom of speech, association and religion
- Equal treatment and protection under the law
- Access education, healthcare and public services
Our community in action
First-cut placeholders — replace with real photos from Somcare events.Watch, learn and share
Short videos in English and Somali. Replace each card with a YouTube embed when ready.
Guides & resources to download
Plain-language resources for the community. Placeholder titles — link real PDFs when available.
Enrolling to Vote — A Step-by-Step Guide
Enrolling with the AEC and keeping your details up to date.
Preparing for the Citizenship Test
Key topics, practice questions, official study materials.
Your Rights & Duties in Australia
A two-page summary of what citizenship asks and offers.
Getting Involved with Local Council
How local government works and how residents have a say.
Volunteering Pathways Directory
Local organisations welcoming volunteers from our community.
Start a conversation
Questions, ideas, partnerships or just hello — soo dhawoow.
Location
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Website
somcare.com.auLanguages
English · Af-Soomaali