- Published:
- Friday 19 June 2026 at 10:50 am
During Refugee Week (14 – 20 June 2026), we celebrate the strength and courage of refugees who have fled persecution to forge new lives for themselves.
As part of this year’s theme ‘A million stories’ we are reflecting on the importance of sharing our clients’ stories.
Adiba’s story
I was born in Afghanistan. I was always passionate about sport, and since I was 14, I have been a member of the Afghanistan Women's National Football Team.
On 15 August 2021, shortly after I turned 17, Kabul was captured by the Taliban and my life changed completely. I, along with my older brother and team members, quickly evacuated to the United Arab Emirates. Leaving my country and my family – fearing for their lives and not knowing where to go – was the most terrifying experience of my life.
We spent about four days at Kabul Airport and 10 days at Dubai Airport without enough food or water. Fortunately, the Australian government offered us temporary visas as part of the 2021 humanitarian response to the situation unfolding in Afghanistan, which gave us the opportunity to come here.
We started a new life in Australia and in 2022, after further assessments and processes, we were granted permanent humanitarian visas. I was then able to sponsor my mother and younger siblings to come to Australia, and they joined us here in late 2024.
When we arrived, my brother and I knew so little about Australia and spoke very little English, but we worked so hard and learnt so much. In our community, we had heard that everyone has to wait four years to apply for Australian citizenship, and that is what we did. In late 2025, when my time in Australia reached four years, my former caseworker from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing connected us with VLA's Youth Citizenship in the West Project.
I was asked to bring my whole family, including my younger sister Arya, who had only been in Australia for less than 12 months. We were surprised to be told that Arya was already eligible to apply for Australian citizenship — and that once she turned 18, she would have to wait another three years to become eligible again.
VLA quickly assisted Arya to apply for Australian citizenship just before her 18th birthday. Within three months, her application was approved. She was invited to a citizenship ceremony and became a citizen last month. Our whole family, especially mum, was thrilled to see her become a citizen so quickly — even before my brother and I.
I later found out that I too could have applied for Australian citizenship before I turned 18, rather than waiting 4 years. I had no idea.
I have also applied for citizenship, though my application took longer as I had to sit and pass the citizenship test. My application has recently been approved, and I am waiting for an invitation to attend a ceremony.
I am so grateful for this country as we are finally able to live in safety and peace in Australia. I am excited for my future as I can play soccer without fear for my safety. I would like to go to other countries to play again and the next time I do this, I hope to travel on an Australian passport.
I am also excited for Arya's future. In Afghanistan, it is dangerous for women to study. Here in Australia, Arya can study as much as she likes and go to university. While I am passionate about sport, Arya loves studying and wants to become a doctor. I know she will.
Migration lawyer Yoko Kamanda assisted Adiba and Arya to apply for Australian citizenship.
‘When Adiba, Arya and their family came to us for assistance, they had heard from their community that everybody has to wait for four years before they apply for citizenship.
‘This is actually a very common misunderstanding that we keep seeing across many different migrant communities – they don’t realise that the residency rules for adults don’t apply to children.
‘We've seen many clients who miss the opportunity to apply for citizenship before they turn 18, when it would have been a quicker and easier process.
‘The citizenship laws are really complicated, so we really encourage young refugees to seek legal advice for their own situation.’
Helping young refugees and their families acquire citizenship
Associate Director of our Migration Program Natalie Young says Adiba and Arya’s story highlights the fact that many refugees and migrants aren’t aware that they are eligible for citizenship, and the importance of getting specialist, free legal assistance.
‘For many refugees, becoming an Australian citizen is an important step that completes their settlement journey. Obtaining citizenship increases a sense of belonging within the Australian community, contributes to social inclusion, and has many benefits including access to educational and employment opportunities. However, we see that refugees encounter specific barriers to obtaining citizenship’ says Natalie.
‘As well as application fees which can be as high as $575 per adult, which is unaffordable for many - application processes can be particularly complex for refugees to navigate. Without legal assistance, these processes can be inaccessible and daunting’.
As Natalie explains, we see that it can also be difficult for some refugees to pass the citizenship test, which is only available in English in an on-line format:
‘Due to limited educational opportunities prior to arrival - particularly for women and girls, low English and digital literacy, and the impacts of trauma and poor mental health, many refugees are unable to pass the test required to obtain citizenship. This is a real problem that we would like to see addressed’.
Our Youth Citizenship in the West Project, funded by the Victorian Legal Services Board (VLSB) provides free legal assistance to young people and their families from refugee backgrounds applying for citizenship.
In partnership with West Justice, we reached eligible candidates through crucial networks with local schools, settlement services, and community groups, to provide community legal education about how to gain Australian citizenship.
Since the Project started over 3 years ago, we have provided legal education and promoted the benefits of citizenship to more than 900 people. This has generated a high demand of citizenship legal services, and we have assisted almost 1,000 clients with legal advice, and helped over 350 clients to prepare and submit their citizenship applications. The vast majority of clients assisted by the Project are now citizens or are waiting for invitations to a citizenship ceremony.
Project Coordinator Gaetano Romano says refugees have been disconnected from their countries of origin, and many have lost everything.
‘They deeply wish to start a new chapter of their lives in a new country. Gaining citizenship is the moment where they feel that their journey as refugees is in the past, and they now have a future to build upon.
As Australian citizens, our clients benefit from having the right to vote and be able to travel safely overseas to visit family and loved ones that they have been separated from.
More information
Learn more about our Youth Citizenship in the West project.
Contact us by email about the program: citizenship@vla.vic.gov.au
Read more about Refugee Week.
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