The Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA) is grateful for the opportunity to make a submission in response to the Fourth National Hepatitis B Strategy 2023-2030 (the Strategy). As the Strategy notes, in 2020, nearly 70% of people living with chronic hepatitis B in Australia were born overseas, with many acquiring the infection at birth or during early childhood in other countries. This highlights the urgent need for targeted support for migrants and refugees living with hepatitis B. Settlement services play a crucial role in improving access to care by providing culturally appropriate interventions and facilitating linkages to healthcare services.
