Success Stories of Australian Migration
Dream job ‘down under’ for young Russian teaching migrants
As a boy growing up in Moscow, Artem Grigorev and his parents decided the uncertainty about civil society and safety meant the then-teenager would need to leave Russia and be educated abroad.
Australia sweet Australia
From a remote refugee camp in regional Thailand, Tar Eh Paw Gay’s story of settling in Australia is filled with bittersweet memories of a shattered homeland, personal displacement, finding love and then her joy of bringing up her children in the Canberra community.
A love story, a partner visa, a happy ending
It's hard to believe the unlikely love story of Aminata Conteh Biger and Antoine Biger could come true. Aminata, from Sierra Leone and Antoine, from France, met in a bar at the Sydney Opera House just before Valentine's Day in 2007.
Economist 'grapely' appreciated
A young Filipina woman, recently arrived in Australia, is going to have a major say in the future of this country’s wine industry. Katrina Edillor, 26, is deeply involved in a review of the industry as it plans its future for years to come.
Former child soldier success
Teenage hip-hop artist Fostin Nshimirimana expects 'silly' questions when friends find out he spent half his life as a child soldier in Africa. Fostin's unspoken past came up when he was named a civic Young Citizen of the Year on Australia Day.
Malik finds his future in his past
Malik Osman is a young man with an exciting future ahead. At 22 years of age, he runs his own successful design business, is an award winning filmmaker and works on new media youth products for the NSW Community Relations Commission. Malik's drive and determination comes from his and his family's early life as Somalian refugees.
George says goodbye to a life in limbo
As George Fomba and his family waited for a resettlement opportunity in a refugee camp in Guinea for 12 years, his thoughts were plagued with the fear of an unknown future.
Recruit makes a name in flashing lights
South African-born Chris Marlow was the first paramedic to be recruited from his home country by the South Australian ambulance service and, as the former soldier explained, the honour proved one of many turning points in his extraordinary career.
Caring for Cobar on a 457 visa
Palliative care nursing has taken Caroline Manyathi on an emotional rollercoaster all the way from South Africa to rural NSW.
Coming to Australia a Giant Step for Siaren
It's five years since occupational therapist Siaren Tidon was offered a position at Giant Step's centre for autistic children in Tasmania, leaving the Philippines to help a new generation of Australian kids.
Former refugees take flight at Eagles Soccer Club in SA
Joel Hakizimana knows better than most the unifying power of sport and its ability to bring people together.
A strong constitution for all things Australian
David and Camilla Shaw were granted citizenship at a Constitution Day ceremony in Canberra in 2010 with an impressive crowd descending on the National Museum of Australia to celebrate with the couple.
Antonio's 90th birthday bash celebrates Australia
As Antonio Spurio Saturno completed his compulsory Italian military service during World War II, it wasn't a faceless enemy he was fighting – it was his own family.
It's the jackeroo life for Ali
From the mountains of Afghanistan to the dark and dangerous coal mines of Pakistan, it has taken Ali Khanullah all his life so far to find his calling as a jackeroo in outback Queensland.
Architect builds new life in Australia
When Veronica Garcia-Hansen left her home of Argentina for love and adventure nearly a decade ago, she never suspected it would be for good.
Innocent finds a heart of gold
When 26-year-old Innocent Munyantwali returned to his homeland of Rwanda in 1989, the country was on the brink of a bloody civil war.
Filmmaker Skips to Australian beat
When Stephen Oliver became an Australian citizen on Citizenship Day in Perth on 17 September 2009, the English-born filmmaker had more than one reason to celebrate.
A dream come true
After spending 12 years in a Tanzanian refugee camp, Emmanuel Nkengurutse described becoming a citizen on Australia Day 2010 as being given 'a second chance at life'.
Eminent Kiwi surgeon receives citizenship
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd welcomed surgeon Dr Andrew Greensmith as an Australian citizen at a Regatta Point ceremony on Australia Day 2010.
Sudan to Geraldton – 457 visa helps mechanic make the move
Richard Sumner's story is an example of one of the successes of the 457 visa program.
A story of strength, courage and spirit
When she was just seven years old, Acee and her family fled their native war-torn country of Liberia in search of a safer place to live.
Evelyn helps celebrate 100 000 refugees in a decade
Despite 12 long years in a refugee camp, and continuing uncertainty in her homeland of Liberia, Evelyn Ivy and her family have showed great courage and perseverance to begin a new life in Australia.
Refugees remember Hungary 50 years on
The 50th anniversary of the 1956 uprising against communist rule in Hungary in October 2006 reunited former refugees with the immigration officers who helped them flee to Australia
The taste of freedom
Munira was just 13 when she fled her home country of Eritrea in 1976 to escape civil war. She arrived in Australia in November 1994 under the special humanitarian program.
Kicking goals from Sudan to Launceston
Amid the upheaval of a childhood in war-torn Sudan, the one constant in Juma Abuyi's life was soccer. Now he is using his soccer skills to help others.
From study success to permanent migration
Aditya Tater came to Australia in October 2001 to study for his masters in business administration at Griffith University and now is one of the success stories of the skilled migration program.
Happy to call Perth home, permanently
It's been a long time since petroleum engineer, Soubhagya Das, left his original home in Odissa, India to build a better life overseas for his family.
Albury 'cutting edge' for Maumita
Maumita Bhattacharya thinks Albury in regional New South Wales is just as good as London or New York when it comes to career opportunities in cutting-edge Information Technology.
Taking a dive for the dwarves of the deep
Seaside holidays in East Germany were far more restrictive than the casual Australian beach culture Susan Sobtzick has come to love as a skilled migrant to Far North Queensland.
Australia provides a better work life balance
After completing his Masters degree at the Australian National University, Brazilian student Elton De Simone Carneiro decided to stay and work in Australia 'to learn about a different culture'.
Skilled migrants boost Queensland company's local apprenticeship scheme
Skilled migration solved two problems for Mackay company Macs Engineering as it strived to meet the demands of the booming Queensland mining industry
Dancing up an electrical storm
Sergio Diniz may not go Latin dancing as often as his wife would like, but the couple have no complaints about their new home in Melbourne.
Backpacking welder makes a long stop in Darwin
Surfing the internet for job advertisements resulted in a life changing experience for Dutch backpacker Monique Kamsma.
Irish vet already a winner: Overseas vets ensure equine hospital maintains high level operations
Irish-born vet David Beehan couldn't have picked a better time to move to Victoria on the Australian Government's 457 business long stay visa program.
Nova takes flight with the 457 visa
Specialists in aerospace technology are a rare breed of people. People trained to test and evaluate the highly complex systems used by the Australia Defence Force (ADF) are exceptionally rare, like Doug Friend, a helicopter test engineer specialising in structures.
Department plays a key role in life-saving partnership
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) played a key role in this year's life-saving medical treatment in Australia for an East Timorese infant born with a hole in her heart.
Citizenship 'no decision at all' for Australian of the Year
Australian of the Year for 2006 and Scottish-born scientist, Professor Ian Frazer, said becoming an Australian citizen was 'no decision at all'.
Australia's Local Hero speaks up
Australia's Local Hero for 2006, Toni Hoffman, is a Bundaberg nurse who was not afraid to stand up to ensure patient safety.