The activities of the Refugee Office focus on the target group of asylum seekers, recognised refugees and persons entitled to subsidiary protection. This target group is supported in the primary care system and benefit from the following services:

• suitable accommodation taking into account family structures

• board and subsistence

• a monthly allowance

• medical care and health insurance

• support of specially trained counsellors (with assistance of interpreters)

• vouchers for clothing, especially at the chance of the seasons

• assistance with finding a daily routine, if necessary

• German language courses in organised accommodation

• organised free time activities

• additional services for unaccompanied minors

 
The Refugee Office provides and supervises a team of counsellors who regularly communicate with asylum seekers and refugees to advice them on legal issues regarding their asylum procedure, and to support them with cultural, educational, employment-related, medical, housing and other issues of daily life. In other words, the team of counsellors engages in an intercultural dialogue with the target group to inform them about their rights and perspectives in their new surroundings. The Refugee Office covers all of the functions that are fulfilled by NGOs in other regions.

 Moreover, once the refugees become recognised or entitled to subsidiary protection, they are invited to attend German-Integration courses organised by the government of Carinthia and co-financed by the European Refugee Fund, the Austrian Ministry of the Interior as well as the government of Carinthia itself. The courses are well-liked and much appreciated by the participants who are aware of the importance of learning the language of their new surroundings as a first step in their integration process. The courses are special in that they emphasise the participation of women and provide childcare for the duration of the course hours. Moreover, the costs incurred by the use of public transportation are covered, i.e. the participants receive a refund.

 The aim of the German-Integration courses is to develop the participants’ language skills and to provide them with insights into how the Carinthian cultural, social and political system works. The courses also function as a platform on which the participants can exchange their experiences and build friendships. After attending a series of course modules that start off with literacy courses, the participants should reach the A2 level of the common European framework for languages and, with the assistance of the AusländerInnenberatung (the Counselling Office for Foreigners) and the AMS (Local Employment Office) be integrated into the labour market.