Hussien’s journey to Australian citizenship

Hussien smiles when he talks about being given Australian citizenship. He is Rohingya and grew up in Myanmar before moving to Malaysia and then Australia where he was given refugee status. Thanks to the support of his trainers at Navitas Skilled Futures (NSF) who helped him prepare for the citizenship test, Hussien can now proudly call himself a citizen of Australia.

Hussien remembers his first day in Australia arriving as a refugee on Christmas Island. “I saw a lot of mountains and little houses with beautiful gardens,” he said. Having lived as a refugee in a number of countries, and having seen Australian life on TV, he knew this is where he wanted to settle and call home.  

At first he settled in Queensland where he took English classes, then moved to Sydney to be close to his sister. Keen to continue his English training through the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), which is funded by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, he enrolled at NSF’s Bankstown campus. There he made friends who, like him had arrived from all parts of the world. The teachers greeted him with warmth and patience, understanding that learning English was more than just words – it was a key to belonging.  

Hussien’s Navitas teacher also supported him as he applied for his licence to drive heavy vehicles. Now he is licensed to drive trucks between Sydney and Brisbane – two places where he found he was welcome.  

Preparing for Australian citizenship  

At the Bankstown campus, Hussien discovered he could take a class which prepares clients for the Australian Citizenship test. The test can be challenging, but with the support of his teachers from NSF, he persevered and, after a number of attempts, passed this year. One afternoon, surrounded by his friends, teachers and supportive staff, Hussien held his Australian citizenship certificate – a symbol of his hard work, new beginnings and a supportive community.

“Australia helped me, and now I help Australia. Australia is now my country and I care for my country. it is now my home.'”

Hussien, AMEP Bankstown client

Caring for his country  

These days he volunteers to help fellow students at the Bankstown campus, using the six languages he picked up during his travels to Australia.   

“I can help others, by taking them to Service NSW, or other places they don’t know where to go” he said. “I also help out in the Citizenship class and can even use my mechanical skills to help fix people’s things.”   

He’s also quick to recommend NSF to anyone he thinks would also benefit from the support he was given by his trainers. “Australia helped me, and now I help Australia,” said Hussien. “Australia is now my country, and I care for my country. It is now my home.”  

Find out more about the Adult Migrant English Program, and Australian Citizenship classes at Navitas Skilled Futures by calling 1300 798 111.