A large majority of migrants and refugees new to Australia plan to become citizens and believe it is important to celebrate Australia Day, according to a new survey.

Most newcomers say they plan to mark the day in some way and that Australia Day events make them feel more welcome in their new country, the survey found.

However, most don’t know the significance of the January 26 date and are unaware of sensitivities over the day among some indigenous Australians. And many are unsure about the debate around an indigenous Voice to Parliament.

The survey of 150 new migrants and refugees, commissioned by refugee and migrant settlement agency AMES Australia, also found curiosity on the part of recent arrivals about Australia’s history.

The survey asked, ‘Is a national day such as Australia Day was important for the nation?’ Seventy-seven per cent of respondents said, ‘yes’ while just 10 per cent said ‘no’.

Sixty-eight per cent said they planned to mark or celebrate the day in some way while 32 per cent said they had no plans.

Only 31 per cent of those surveyed knew the significance on January 26 – the day the First Fleet arrived in Port Jackson – while 69 per cent did not.

An overwhelming 89 per cent of respondents said they planned to become Australian citizens while 11 per cent said they had no plans to become citizens or were not sure.

But only twenty-five per cent of those surveyed were aware of the controversy over Australia Day prompted by some indigenous groups calling it ‘invasion day’. Respondents who were aware of the controversy were split evenly over the issue of changing the date with 38 per cent supporting a change and 36 per cent opting for the status quo. Twenty-six per cent did not have a view.

Asked if they were aware of moves to create an indigenous Voice to Parliament, just 22 per cent said they were while 50 per cent were not and 28 per cent had ‘some awareness’. But asked if they would support a Voice, 40 per cent answered in the affirmative while just 7 per cent would not and 66 per cent were unsure.      

More than half (61 per cent) said Australia Day would mean more them it they were citizens while 39 per cent said it would make no difference.

Eighty-two per cent of respondents said they knew, or planned to learn more, about Australia’s history and the reasons Australia Day is celebrated while 10 per cent said they did not.

The survey found Australia Day events and the tone of publicity around the day helped new arrivals feel welcome.

Three quarters said the day helped them to feel more welcome while 17 per cent said it made no difference and 7 per cent said it made them feel less welcome.

More than half of respondents (55 per cent) said Australians should be proud of Australia Day.

AMES Australia CEO Cath Scarth said survey results showed that migrants and refugees were overwhelmingly committed to becoming Australians and contributing to the nation.

“It’s our experience that almost without exception people who are newly arrived to Australia want to fit in and become part of the broader society,” Ms Scarth said.

“They want to learn about Australia’s culture and history, and they want to build connections,” she said.

Norma Medawar, a refugee from Syria, recently became an Australian citizen.

She says becoming a citizen was a way of showing commitment to her adopted country.

“My life now revolves around this country, so I wanted to show that I am committed,” Norma said.

“As I citizen, I get to vote and have a say in the way the country is run – which is important to me,” she said.

Norma plans to celebrate the day with a small gathering of family and friends.

“Celebrating Australia day makes you stop and think about all of the advantages we have in this country,” she said.

Iraqi refugee Osama Butti said Australia Day was important to him because it reflects his new identity as an Australian.

“Becoming citizens last December was really important for my wife and me. We now feel like we belong somewhere and we can move on with our lives,” he said.