Refugees who arrived in Australia as a result of the conflicts in Syria and Iraq are thriving, feel welcome and are optimistic about the future, a new study has found.  

The final results of the ‘Refuge and Family Futures in Australia’ research project show high levels of employment, English language proficiency and access to education.  

The research, carried out by the University of Technology Sydney in partnership with AMES Australia and other agencies around the country, examined the settlement outcomes of refugees from Syria and Iraq who arrived in Victoria, NSW and Queensland between 2016 and 2018.  

The study, encompassing three separate surveys, showed that overwhelmingly, settlement outcomes for the refugee families were positive. 

The study found that after three years 55 per cent of refugees looking for work had secured employment. Over the same period, two in three adults from Syria and half of the Iraqis reported that they spoke English either well or very well.  

From the first year, 90 per cent of refugees found their neighbourhood “a good place to bring up children”, rising to 98 per cent by the third year, the study found.  

By the third year, 98 per cent of refugees also thought that their neighbours had good schools.  

The study found that for young refugees, from year one, three in four rated their educational experiences as “very good” to “excellent”. Two in three felt that they belonged ‘most of the time’ or “always”.  

It also found that most of the refugees wanted to become citizens and that their biggest worries were employment and family members trapped overseas.  

Syrian refugee Angel Barboora, who arrived in Melbourne with her family in 2016, said coming to Australia had given her family a chance to rebuild their lives.  

“We are grateful to the Australian Government and people for giving us refuge and a chance to have a new life,” said Angel.  

“My family has been able to start a business and we are all loving our lives in Australia,” she said.  

AMES CEO Cath Scarth said the positive settlement outcomes came at a time when record numbers of refugees were displaced across the globe.  

“Recently we heard from UNHCR that there are now 120 million people across the globe forced to flee their homes because of war, violence or persecution,” said Scarth. 

“Forty-three million of these are refugees forced to flee to neighbouring countries and more than half are women and children.” 

“They contribute to local economies by revitalising cities and rural communities, supporting local businesses, bringing diverse skills, creating jobs,” she said. 

Menchie Khairuddin

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Menchie Khairuddin is a writer Deputy Content Manager at Akolade and content producer for Third Sector News. She is passionate about social affairs specifically in mixed, multicultural heritage and not-for-profit organisations.

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