SSI welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement of a new study that will tackle antisemitism, Islamophobia, and the experience of First Nations people within the Australian university sector. The study aims to examine racism in universities and provide recommendations to ensure the safety of students and staff members.

Australia needs to create a safe environment for everyone, irrespective of their language, race or cultural background. 

What is clear from the growing evidence base is that racism is prevalent in Australian communities. Racism poses a significant social and economic threat to our country. 

Efforts to support social cohesion must go beyond the positive promotion of multiculturalism and actively denounce racism. 

We view this study, which will be led by the Race Discrimination Commissioner, as an important step towards better understanding the prevalence and impact of racism and, importantly, practical actions to reduce it.  

SSI continues to call for a coordinated, national response to eliminate racism and promote social inclusion, both on campuses and across our country. Australia will be stronger and safer for it.  

SSI welcomes the vision set out in the Federal Government’s newly released Early Years Strategy as a step towards early childhood policies, programs and services that will support the best outcomes for all children, regardless of their backgrounds. 

This Early Years Strategy is underpinned by the principles of equity and inclusion, including a commitment to provide foundational supports to children with potential developmental delays and to address these concerns early. 

We also commend the focus on maintaining children’s identities and cultural connections. This sits alongside a commitment to empower parents, caregivers and families in ways that are culturally responsive and targeted – something we see the importance of throughout our work with culturally diverse families, including as part of the national Community Hubs program. 

From our work delivering place-based initiatives such as our involvement in Logan Together, we recognise the importance of local solutions for local problems, reflected in the Strategy. 

Importantly, this is Australia’s first Early Years Strategy to strengthen accountability, coordination and collaboration across all levels of government over the next 10 years, setting a clear roadmap for change with action plans and an outcomes framework to monitor and track progress. SSI looks forward to being part of these collaborative initiatives and translating them into tangible outcomes for all Australian children. 

SSI welcomes the NSW Government’s funding package of $230 million over four years as an essential initial response and immediate action to support meaningful, real solutions that will keep women and children in the state safe.

SSI further welcomes the comprehensive nature of the package encompassing prevention, early intervention, crisis response, justice system improvements, and service sector support for enhanced capacity. It is particularly heartening to see funding targeted towards children who are often overlooked in the development of government policy, particularly those from multicultural backgrounds.

It is critical that our safety systems and services are responsive to communities in all their diversity. At present, the system is complex and difficult to navigate for multicultural communities, particularly those who are new to Australia.

Working with migrant, refugee and multicultural communities, we see firsthand the importance of integrated services and case management in support of women impacted by gender-based violence.

SSI provides culturally responsive safety services to migrant and refugee women and children, works with multicultural communities to design and implement awareness raising initiatives, and builds capacity of settlement services to support women, children and families.

We urge the NSW government to ensure that equitable access, experience and outcomes—including specifically for migrant and refugee women and children—are central to the implementation of the package and are embedded in the ongoing focus on addressing the crisis in the state of women’s and family safety.

SSI is committed to working with the NSW government and the specialist domestic, family and sexual violence sector to ensure meaningful collaboration in tackling the root causes of this crisis and to bring about a positive change for all women and children.

For over 11 years, SSI’s foster care program has placed children and youth in need in the hearts and homes of foster carers.

In the organisation’s first expansive foster carer recruitment marketing campaign, five former children in care shared stories and reflections from their journeys in foster care.

These incredible young adults have all been part of SSI’s Multicultural Child and Family Program and brought their unique experiences and perspectives to the campaign.

To attract new foster carers in the current carer shortage, the young people joined a day of filming to share their experiences in care and reflect on the carers who left a lasting impression on them.

Their stories encourage people to recognise that foster carers make a lasting difference in a child’s life, no matter the duration of time spent together. Every moment as a foster carer is a chance to create a meaningful chapter in a child’s life.

The campaign features a series of thematic videos that will be utilised across multiple channels over the coming months, with opportunities for future iterations.

Explore the campaign and learn more about the SSI Multicultural Child and Family Program here.

Ahlam, Ana, and Emad all arrived in Australia as refugees and today, they are giving back by supporting newcomers settle in Australia as part of SSI’s Immediate Services team.

We caught up with them at the Sydney Airport arrivals hall to hear more about their first steps on Australian soil and what those moments taught them to better support others.

Emad recalls his first moments in the arrivals hall he sits today as deeply emotional.

“This was the moment when someone waited for me and, upon my arrival, said, ‘Okay, welcome to Australia. A new life awaits you here.’ Immediately, I forgot everything I left behind in my country. All the suffering turned to excitement,” Emad reflected on his experiences from 15 years ago.

Today, Emad is part of a tight-knit team of staff from refugee backgrounds and other SSI staff who make the SSI Immediate Services team, who have the responsibility and privilege to be the first people Australia’s newcomers meet and build connections with when they first land in their new home.

“When our clients arrive at the airport, usually there are family and friends waiting so often it feels like a party. Because some families are waiting for five to eight to 10 years for approval for a loved one to come to Australia,” Emad said.

“We get very excited when we see our clients happy and getting hugs from their relatives. It’s especially moving when we welcome families and kids.”

Ahlam came to Australia as a refugee 16 years ago. When she first arrived, she didn’t speak English and had no money.

“I was so scared to come out of the airport, wondering who will be out there waiting for me. I had no idea what was going to happen next. When I came out, the SSI staff made me feel good, safe and so happy,” she recalled.

Since that day, Ahlam has become part of the SSI team and one of the ‘locals’ of Sydney Airport – she comes to greet and welcome newcomers so often, she is well-known and liked by staff in the arrivals hall.

“I think about my own experience when I landed at the airport; when I see them searching for someone who can help give them a home. I know what a good feeling it is to see someone waiting, holding your name on a sign. It is a feeling you can’t describe,” Ahlam reflected.

“Because I was a refugee myself, I don’t mind as long as I’m helping people because I know how they feel. Because they’ve suffered to come here; they’ve come from such a long way and they don’t know anyone. So to be here for them, I can see in their eyes how much it means.”

Anastasiia, or Ana for short, arrived as a refugee from Ukraine two years ago. At first, she didn’t interact with SSI but soon connected with the team to get assistance with renting an apartment, furniture and everything else she needed for the household.

“My case manager was always checking up on me how I’m going and what’s happening. And the moment I was ready to look for a job, she referred me to SSI to become a Multicultural Support Officer,” she said.

This is how Ana ultimately landed a full-time permanent position in SSI’s Immediate Services team, whose responsibility it is to meet new arrivals at the airport, get them set up for life in Australia, and provide them with suitable temporary accommodation.

“My role is the ‘backstage’ person behind the curtains, providing information to our Multicultural Support Officers around what time they should be at the airport, who we’re meeting, how big the family is, what languages they speak and so forth.”

Almost all refugees and asylum seekers who come to our shores have survived personal trauma and social upheaval. SSI’s Humanitarian Services Program (HSP) aims to provide them with the structured support they need to adjust to life in Australia and successfully settle into our communities. SSI delivers HSP services on behalf of the Federal government in several locations across NSW.

Our case workers work closely with newcomers, connecting them with the skills, support and resources they need to find their feet and develop into independent members of society.

In the last year, HSP’s diverse team supported over 3,000 newcomers feel welcome and secure in their new home country.

Watch what our clients, Nargis and Cecilia, had to say about the support they received on the first days in Australia and meet some of our expert ‘welcomers’ supporting newcomers:

Learn more about HSP Immediate Services Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) here:

Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP)

Rob Hendra spent decades in the fast-paced world of banking and finance before making a complete pivot into home care.

In 2020, he was studying to become a conveyancer and was focused on continuing his corporate career. All that changed when, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rob sadly lost his mother. Due to border closures at the time, he was unable to return home to Indonesia.

Experiencing the real-time devastation and direct impact on his family led to a shift in his perspective and he began to reevaluate what mattered most to him.

“I always wanted to look after my parents, but the reality was that I lived here overseas, and they lived back home. I could never care for them in that way,” Rob said.

Rob wanted to do his part to repay the collective debt to hospitals and honour the work they do to save and change lives. He began working part-time in a hospital while finishing his conveyancing course.

“During that period, I got to see a wide range of patients receiving treatment,” Rob recalled. “Particularly with the elderly, I got to spend more time having conversations with them and seeing how excited they were when family members visited.”

When an advertisement for SSI’s Home Care Workforce Program (HCWSP) appeared on his Facebook feed, Rob jumped at the opportunity. He sent in his CV and, within a week, had a response and multiple interview offers came pouring in.

Rob describes his career switch to home care as a higher calling, one where he can still put his conversational and business skills to use.

“I’ve had the whole fast paced career and I thought, I would like to do something for me, something that’s meaningful,” he said.

The tailored home care training at his workplace, Catholic Healthcare, offered Rob a mix of theoretical and practical knowledge, while also allowing him to branch out and grow the skills he already possessed.

“My current employer is one of the best organisations I’ve encountered in my working life,” Rob said.

His law background helps him thrive in aspects of home care like building rapport, reading body language, and making genuine connections.

“It’s a job with high flexibility and travel time considerations, and what’s great for me is it’s not too physically demanding,” Rob said. “It’s also a lot more secure than banking and finance!”

Looking back, Rob wouldn’t change a thing and is grateful for the seamless and efficient organisation that facilitated his career change.

“I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly everything played out,” he said. “I’m happier than ever and I get to do work that makes a real difference. If you’re compassionate and want to help others, home care is the type of job to get into.”

In 2009 Neda and her husband migrated from India to Australia.

Despite a successful career in India and holds a degree in Commerce in accounting and marketing, Neda struggled to secure a job in her field in Australia and instead worked in a contact centre for many years.

This is a reality for many educated migrant and refugee women, who find themselves employed in positions below their level of education and expertise.

Neda knew she had greater aspirations. “I’m someone who loves to take on challenges. I’ve always been ambitious,” she said.

The idea of creating her own business selling ready-made spice blends had lingered in her thoughts for years.

Neda explained how in Indian culture food brings families together. She recalled, “Growing up in India, we didn’t have much money, but our bellies were always full of food from a home-cooked nourishing meal.”

When Neda came to Australia, she noticed the store-bought spices did not do justice to the original flavours. She began making her spice blends from scratch, utilising recipes handed down through generations.

“The idea to start a business came to me from my challenge of preparing nutritious home-made meals for my family with a lack of time to cook from scratch,” she said.

Neda wanted to help home cooks with hassle-free yet authentic Indian cooking in their kitchens.

In search of a sounding board and seeking validation, she shared her business idea with a friend.

Her friend responded with uncertainty, casting doubt on Neda’s ideas and confidence.

Years later, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a workplace injury forced Neda out of her job.

At home and injured, she fell into a depression.

“With young kids to care for, I felt the pressure to contribute financially to support my young family,” Neda said.

Neda felt more compelled than ever by the idea of being independent and self-employed.

“I realised that it should be me who decides what I want to do. I do not need validation from other people who may not see my vision yet,” she said.

“My mum came to Australia during that time and as we talked, I shared my entrepreneurial idea with her, and she encouraged me to take the first giant leap,” Neda said. “My mother was always supportive of everything I do.”

In 2022, Neda began working on her product, established Bombay Spices and started selling it at local Victorian farmers’ markets.

“Engaging with people at the markets made me happy and confident. I knew it was the right path,” she said.

Neda’s husband was initially uncertain about the idea because he wanted her to focus on her injury recovery.

“It took some time, but he eventually came on board and now he sees my vision and is very supportive,” Neda said.

Neda now offers a range of eight different spice blends and has garnered a loyal following from market customers who eagerly wait each week to purchase their favourite spice blends.

Neda gives a lot of credit to the resources and start-up programs that have helped her along the way. This year, she began working with the Ignite small business start-up Female Founders to get her business to the next step.

“If you believe in yourself and your vision, you can use the resources available to you to get where you want to go,” she explained.

“We may not always have the support of our family or friends when we need it most. However, you need to take that first step and others will join you on your journey,” Neda said.

Kimia Yousofi’s life journey exemplifies the transformative power of equal opportunities.

The now 27-year-old, returned to Afghanistan to train for selection at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. She represented her country with pride and four years later, she once again qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Competing in Tokyo, however, coincided with the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, bringing with it oppressive measures against women.

As a female athlete representing a country under Taliban rule, Kimia became a target. Her involvement in sports clashed with the new restrictions imposed on women. In a courageous move, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), with the assistance of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), secured a safe exit for Kimia.

Arriving in Australia in 2022, Kimia found a welcoming athletics community and a chance to continue her Olympic journey. While training for selection to the Paris 2024 Olympics, she has also embarked on a journey to learn English at TAFE.

“When I came to Australia my English was zero. Then after one week, the Australian Olympic Committee gave me a coach, John Quinn. It was so hard just to communicate. I couldn’t talk with him. [We spoke through] a translate application. On the first day [of training] I didn’t talk with my teammates, just my coach, by application. After maybe six months, I realised the names of my teammates! And then I started talking with them. [Communication] was difficult for me.”

What Kimia found though, in her athletics team, was a group of similarly motivated, supportive people.

“I’m happy that I’m training with them. They always help me when I need help during training. They are positive. And I think it’s the best part of my squad. They are positive, always. The positive attitude helps us a lot because the training is hard.”

Kimia’s resettlement journey goes beyond personal success. She actively uses her profile to advocate for refugees, especially Afghan women. In less than two years, Kimia’s story has reached over 1.8 billion people worldwide. Her advocacy has extended to a meeting with UN representatives, where she has shared her experiences and addressed the issues faced by refugees in Australia.

Kimia’s resilience and commitment exemplify the potential for positive change when women are given equal opportunities.

Despite the adversity that Kimia has experienced during her life, she believes it’s important for women to persevere.

“When [the] Taliban came, I was in Afghanistan. At that time I didn’t have any idea about what I should do. I said, “I don’t want to stop. It’s not the end of my life; it’s not the end of my journey.”’

“Never give up. In every way. [There could be a] problem, issue, or barrier, but don’t give up. Because you can overcome problems. And problems can come to teach you something. You will go one level higher. Just keep doing.”

In 2018, Roaa and her family found safety in Australia after being forced to leave Egypt and then China.

From her earliest years, Roaa wanted to become a psychologist and was committed to doing whatever it took to achieve her goal.

She has excelled academically throughout her life, achieving second place in her city in Egypt and securing the top position in her school during her years in China.

Arriving in Australia, Roaa faced the daunting task of adapting to a new school system and learning English. Initially, she struggled to achieve her usual high marks.

“I have always been a high achiever,” Roaa said. “It was difficult for me to accept receiving Cs. I thought, ‘What is happening?’”

From a young age, Roaa has always been taught the value of education by her parents. “I know that having an education as a woman is so powerful,” Roaa said.

As Year 12 approached, Roaa’s confidence dwindled.  She sought validation through others so that she could find the confidence to achieve the high marks required to apply for a psychology degree. When she sought advice from a particular person, however, they dashed her dreams.

“I was told that I had just moved to Australia and my English was not very good,” Roaa recounted.

“I was told not to get my hopes up, as I might not get into psychology, so I should begin exploring other options.”

“When I left that room, I had given up on my dream of studying psychology,” she said.

Roaa went home and started looking for something ‘easy’ to get into it.

Roaa remembered, “I was feeling quite unsure of myself at the time, and I just needed to hear someone say, ‘Yes Roaa, you can do it.”

During her high school years, Roaa observed a common challenge in her community; psychologists found it challenging to fully understand the specific struggles of women from refugee backgrounds.

“Mental health is getting worse, especially for women in my community,” Roaa emphasised.

“My community needs more Arab psychologists who can empathise and understand their situation – their trauma and experiences. They need someone who has experienced something similar, not someone who has not felt what war means.”

Roaa decided to find confidence within herself and not abandon her dream of helping her community. “I told myself ‘Why not give it a shot? You will never lose anything by just trying,” she said.

Despite the challenges of COVID lockdowns, Roaa dedicated herself to her studies and completed Year 12, surprising herself with an ATAR of 94.5.

As university offers flooded in, Roaa chose to accept a double degree program in psychology and media and communications at the University of Sydney.

Roaa explained, “Do not ever underestimate what someone can do simply because they are a woman, or they have migrated from another country and their English may not be as good as yours. Even if they are refugees, do not assume they are incapable.”

“They have faced a lot of challenges that fuel their desire to achieve better. They are awaiting the opportunity and once given; they will seize it and strive to excel as best they can.”

In 2022, Roaa received an SSI Allianz Scholarship which supports her ongoing studies.