SETTLING in a new country as a refugee comes with both opportunities and challenges – forming social connections, learning English, navigating services.
For refugees with disability, our new research shows these challenges can be even greater.
We don’t have precise data on how many refugees with disability have settled in Australia, but numbers have risen since a 2010 parliamentary inquiry recommended reducing settlement barriers.
Yet, there remains a major research gap on disability and migration, both in Australia and internationally.
Through surveys and interviews, we explored settlement and integration for refugees with disability in Australia.
Our 75 participants, mostly from Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, had lived here an average of 4.3 years. Using previous research from Western Sydney University and Settlement Services International as a baseline, we could compare their experiences with refugees more broadly.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND BELONGING
Encouragingly, 72% of respondents said they felt part of the Australian community always or most of the time, while 65% rated their settlement experience positively. These numbers are lower than for refugees generally (87% and 83%), but still show a strong sense of belonging.
Support from cultural and religious communities played a central role. Refugees with disability were more likely to feel comforted by their own national or ethnic communities (54%) and religious groups (46%) compared with other refugees in earlier studies.
As one respondent’s sister explained, her brother was warmly welcomed into their church community, where his presence was deeply valued.
BARRIERS TO WIDER INTEGRATION
But developing connections beyond their communities was much harder. Most found it difficult to make friends in Australia (77%), talk to neighbours (76%) and understand local culture (68%). These figures were far higher than for refugees overall. English language barriers, compounded by disability, were a major factor.
Accessing government services was another hurdle. Language difficulties (75%), problems with apps like MyGov (62%), long wait times (60%) and transport issues (58%) made services difficult to use. While many appreciated disability supports, some faced challenges navigating the system and securing adequate NDIS hours.
Housing was also a source of dissatisfaction, with complaints about room accessibility and suitability. While motivated to learn English, many faced barriers to adult learning programs – online-only classes, difficulty sitting for long periods, or memory and concentration challenges.
BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS
The disability royal commission has highlighted how many organisations address disability and cultural diversity separately, with little recognition of the overlap.
The NDIS’s new Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Strategy (2024–28) is a step forward, but its impact depends on full implementation.
Although our sample size was small, the findings show how disability can magnify barriers across social connections, services, housing, and education. Australia has obligations under international and domestic law to protect the rights of both refugees and people with disability.
What’s urgently needed are policies and systems that recognise—and directly respond to—the unique, intersecting challenges faced by refugees with disability.
Tadgh McMahon Adjunct Senior Lecturer, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University and Gerard Goggin, Distinguished Professor, Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University Extracts from essay published in Theconversation.com.au (September 11)
