Indian sub-continent (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) migration to Australia started in the late sixties with professionals such as doctors, teachers and engineers being the first of the skilled migrants to arrive Australia. Over the last couple of decades, the number of Indian sub-continent Australians has increased manifold and it is estimated that about 500, 000 people of Indian sub-continent origin now call Australia as their home. It is further estimated that two-thirds or about 300,000 Indian sub-continent people live in New South Wales, with a sizable presence in Western Sydney and its surrounded suburbs. Consequently with the growing numbers, the community issues have become more complex.

Efforts have been put in place by a number of Indian sub-continent organisations in NSW for over five decades to create institutions to address such issues. While a lot of support was provided to the community through several organisations, the outcome was far from satisfaction. Therefore a strong need was felt to create a physical office, which will act as a focal point of contact and the proposed services can be delivered from such location.

A formal decision was made to create the Center as an independent organisation and create a separate identity. And thanks to the NSW Government – a funding proposal was approved and a formal launch of the Center took place on 13th March 2015 through a brief launch function at the Allan EzzyCenter in Pemulwuy, NSW. Minister Victor Dominello, the then Minister for Citizenship and Communities launched the Center and the grant cheque was presented by Mr Andrew Rohan, the then Member of the NSW Parliament from Smithfield. The Indian sub-continent community is grateful to the NSW Government for supporting the community in this strategic project that is expected to have long lasting impact on the Indian sub-continent community of NSW.

It was perceived that such an organisation would be ideal to provide services to all people from Indian sub-continent origin. It is keeping these above issues in mind, the Indian Support Center was conceptualised and resulted in the birth of the Center in March 2015.

The ISC’s objects of the ISC are:

• To provide support / assist migrant communities from the Indian Sub-continent in one or more of the following Harmful behaviors such as Substance abuse, Emotional / Physical and Financial abuse, self-harm prevention, gambling and suicidal tendencies, arising out of Domestic Violence situations with particular emphasis with CALD communities.
• Provide social and psychological trauma support to victims of domestic violence
• Provide guidance to victims of Domestic Violence about available help and support from Government as well as non-Government agencies.
• Provide assistance in matters related to ADVO (Apprehended Domestic Violence Order) by liaising with the law enforcement agencies.
• Provide guidance on legal avenues to victims of Domestic Violence.
• Provide temporary / emergency accommodation to victims of domestic violence.
• Provide language support for non-English speaking victims of domestic violence in various languages spoken in the Indian Sub-continent.
• Provide rehabilitation support involving but not limited to immigration visas, passports and related areas.
• Provide assistance in establishing contacts with families living overseas who are related to victims of domestic violence.
• Provide guidance in establishing contacts with overseas legal professionals in country of origin for relevant cases.
• Provide support to victims of Domestic Violence from Indian subcontinent in initial re-settlement, unemployment support and networking.
• Make representations on behalf of the victims of domestic violence to Government agencies such as the Government of India, State Government, and the commonwealth Government.
• To assist CALD communities across the Indian Subcontinent migrant communities in the areas of unemployment, digital literacy for seniors, and digital health literacy.
• To work closely with other non-profit charitable organisations with similar aims objectives across Australia who have substantial membership of people of Indian sub-continent origin and engaged in supporting such communities.
• To set up and operate a Public Fund in accordance with clauses stated in its Constitution.