How long have you been in Australia?

•30 years•24 years•15 years•9 years (x 2)•7 years (x 2)•6 years•5 years (x 3)•4 years (x 2)•3 years (x 3)•2.5 years•2 years (x 4)•1 year + (x 2)

Did you or your family come to Australia as a

refugee?

YES15

NO8

Where did you or your family come from?

AfghanistanBosnia (via Austria)Iraq (via Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Indonesia)

How did you travel to Australia?

Boat: 2

Plane: 19

2 did not specify

How did you feel when you first arrived?

Wonderful, awesomeExcitedWe loved it, everything was niceHappy but: • It was not easy to live here at first• It was hard not knowing how to

speak the language• It was hard to leave my home

country, family and friends• It was hard to find a job• It was hard to find a place to liveScaredConfusedBoredSadWorried

What did you find difficult when you first arrived?

Language, accent (18)Understanding educational system (5)

Loneliness and missing family (2), making new friends

Getting around

What information were you given when you first

arrived?

Government (Centrelink, Medicare)

EducationAccommodation, food, banks, etc

What things were difficult to find out?

Where to get help and services for: • education• transport •basic rights• Employment• language• accommodation

Friends

What else did you want to know?

Information about living in Australia: its different histories, cultures, religions and communities; and how to live with and understand them

Information about university

Who did you ask for information?

•Government•Family and friends•Community•School and university•Research

What advice would you give to other new migrants

and refugees? •Your experience will get easier as you learn more English•Ask for help•Work and study hard•Don’t give up, keep trying•Make new friends, build a support network•Respect the law and know your rights•Enjoy your new life here

How can we help them to settle?

•Get involved in your community, share your experiences•Better coordination of services and people•Help them get skills, information and services•Providing education in English