A new national study has found that while most refugees and humanitarian migrants in Australia feel welcome and proud to belong, many continue to face discrimination, financial hardship and barriers to employment.
The Refugee Experiences in Australia 2025 report, released by the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs, draws on the voices of more than 2,000 refugees and humanitarian migrants across the country. It provides one of the most comprehensive looks at how newcomers are rebuilding their lives after displacement.
Lead author Trish Prentice said the findings show both how far Australia has come and the challenges that remain. “This study shows both the progress and the realities of starting again,” she said. “Many refugees feel deeply connected to Australia, yet many still face the realities of discrimination and financial strain. True integration requires not only welcome, but opportunity.”
According to the report, 95 per cent of participants feel they belong in Australia to a moderate or great extent—a higher rate than the general community’s 86 per cent. Eighty-eight per cent said they feel welcome in their local area, describing Australians as kind, helpful and supportive of multiculturalism.
Yet the sense of belonging coexists with ongoing struggle. Nearly one in three participants reported facing discrimination in the past year—around ten percentage points higher than the broader population—and a third said they had recently skipped meals due to financial hardship. Employment and English proficiency rates, at 54 per cent and 67 per cent respectively, remain below national averages.
The study also highlights the strength of civic participation among refugees, with two-thirds involved in social or religious groups compared to 43 per cent of all Australians, and nearly six in ten taking part in community organisations.
Ms Prentice said these findings speak to resilience and determination, but also underline the need for continued support. “Refugees are participating in their communities at remarkably high rates, yet there are still structural and other barriers that limit full participation,” she said. “The data reinforces the importance of investment in areas such as English language learning and employment assistance to support meaningful, long-term integration.”
Released on 30 October, the report will help inform future government policy and programs designed to strengthen settlement outcomes for refugees and humanitarian entrants. The full study is available on the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute website.
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