- Published:
- Tuesday 1 September 2026 at 2:25 pm
We are actively welcoming new referrals to support young people from refugee backgrounds to obtain Australian citizenship, as part of the Youth Citizenship in the West project.
The project has been extended, thanks to funding from the Legal Services Board and Commissioner.
Migration Program Associate Director Natalie Young says many young people face barriers to obtaining Australian citizenship and the legal processes can be complex.
‘Our project includes dedicated legal assistance, as well as community education,’ said Natalie.
Project Coordinator Gaetano Ramano is passionate about the work, and says he loves working closely with local communities and partner organisations to make complex citizenship processes easier to navigate.
‘It is incredibly rewarding to help these young people and their families achieve greater stability, security, and a true sense of belonging in Australia.’
Make a referral
To be eligible for the project, clients must:
- be aged 25 or younger
- be from a refugee background
- reside in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
To learn how to make a referral to the project, send an email to citizenship@vla.vic.gov.au
More information
Read about how we helped sisters Adiba and Arya to gain their Australian Citizenship.
Read more about the achievements of the Youth Citizenship in the West project.
Updated