People newly arrived to Australia are keen to fit in with their local communities, connect with their neighbours and contribute to society through volunteering, a new study has found.

A survey of almost 200 people new to Australia paints a picture of new migrants and refugees wanting to befriend Australians, be good neighbours and get involved in clubs and community groups. 

The survey, carried out by migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia, found more than half of people interviewed had volunteered in their local community; 44 per cent in their children’s schools, 23 per cent in local groups and clubs; and 52 per cent in helping other new migrants.

It found more than 90 per cent said “making friends outside the family” was the single most important thing that helped new arrivals feel part of the Australian community.

Ninety-four per cent of respondents had actually met other people outside their immediate family and their own community since arriving in Australia.

Having a job and children’s activities were cited as very important ways to meet people by 65 per cent and 62 per cent of respondents respectively, the survey found.

Less than half of respondents who had been in Australia for less than 12 months tended to be mainly in contact with people who speak the same language.

Sixty-one per cent said they knew their neighbours and 75 per cent said they could get help from their neighbours if needed.

Other things that helped people feel part of the Australian community were chatting to neighbours, working, attending arts or cultural festivals and playing sport, the survey found.

It found social media was emerging as a key tool for social connection with people with eight out of ten new arrivals using it to contact people. 

AMES Australia CEO Cath Scarth said the study’s findings showed migrant communities were keen to integrate and contribute to their communities.

“The findings indicate that social connection through community activities and volunteering are important to newly arrived migrants during the first few months and early years of settlement,” Ms Scarth said.

“Almost three quarters of the people who participated in the study had been living in Australia for less than two years. These new migrants had met people from not only from within their own community but also among the broader community; and we know that social connection is important to health and wellbeing.

“The survey clearly shows that new migrants have made an effort to meet people and feel part of the community. It is amazing that those surveyed had been here such a short period of time yet just under two- thirds knew their neighbours.

“Volunteering was seen as being very important. Our results show that new migrants had met people outside their own immediate family and networks; just under two thirds knew their neighbours and nine out of ten felt that volunteering was an important way to meet and help people,” Ms Scarth said.

The survey canvased 200 new arrivals to Australia across Melbourne. More than half had been in Australia less than a year and another 39 per cent had been in the country between one and five years. Sixty-three per cent were women. Respondents came from around 30 different countries.

Migrant volunteer Hector de Santos helps newly arrived refugees learn English and also volunteers with local environmental groups in Melbourne’s south east.

He says he feels fortunate in his life and wants to “give back”.

“Australia welcomed me when I was forced to leave my home and I feel that I want to contribute something to this wonderful country,” Hector said.

“But I get back more than I put in to my volunteering. I’ve made lots of friends and had some wonderful experiences,” he said.