In just two weeks in September 2021, more than 2000 Afghan evacuees arrived in Melbourne alone, in the midst of COVID-19 lockdowns and quarantine mandates.

They were part of a massive exodus of more than 130,000 Afghans, with links to western governments, who were airlifted out of Kabul; or thousands more who left later through Pakistan.

Four years on, many of the Afghans have moved on with their lives, resuming careers or educational pathways and many starting their own businesses.

Most say they feel welcome, safe and positive about the future, according to a recent survey.

The survey also found more than 80 per cent now felt a part of Australian society.

Asked whether they felt welcome in Australia, an overwhelming number (97 per cent) said they did feel welcome, or did most of the time.

Ninety-three per cent said they found ordinary people welcoming and 83 per cent found government and official institutions welcoming.

Security and safety was cited by 40 per cent of respondents as the ‘best thing about living in Australia’, followed by education (25 per cent) and career opportunities (17 per cent) while 12 per cent cited health care.

*‘Ferdous’ was one of the evacuees. He is now living in Melbourne and working in marketing and communications.

“Most of the people I came to Australia with seem to be on [a] path towards sustainable employment in Australia in line with their past experience,” Ferdous said.

“This is not the case for many Afghan refugees overseas. Recent reports said German authorities had cut benefits to around 64 asylum seekers who refused to clear debris due to recent flooding in Saxony-Anhalt in exchange for a payment of 80 cents an hour.

“In the US, there are questions about whether Afghans who arrived as a result of the return of the Taliban will be able to stay.

“Refugees in Australia, Afghan or not, who are eligible for government benefits have the flexibility to apply for various jobs and receive customised support throughout their employment journey.

“And for Afghan refugees in Australia who want to do further study, domestic student spots are available as permanent residents. This means they are able to access student loans in order to pursue further studies in Australian universities.

“Most Afghan refugees in Australia are incredibly grateful to be here. Everyone I know, especially young people, see themselves as having the opportunity to building good lives here.

“Most are already active members of the Australian community and are now helping new arrivals coming in their wake while also engaging with their local communities and organisations.

“Recently, I had a conversation with a family who have settled in Melbourne and are studying and working. They said they could not imagine living peacefully anywhere else but in Australia, a place that has given them an environment and opportunities to grow and prosper,” Ferdous said.

Khalid Amiri was a television presenter and journalist in Afghanistan.

He was able to escape Kabul on an evacuation flight with the help of the then Senator and NDIS and government services minister Linda Reynolds.

Khalid, who recently completed a master’s degree in international relations at Melbourne University, said he felt welcome and a part of Australian society.

“It has been important for me to connect with other communities and with the broader Australia community. I think this is really important in people’s settlement journeys. Feeling connected and welcome is really vital when you are starting a new life in Australia,” he said.

“The last four years, since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban and my resettlement in Australia, have been transformative. Starting a new life here has given me opportunities I could not have imagined back in Afghanistan. Completing my Master’s degree in International Relations at the University of Melbourne was not only a personal achievement but also a testament to the power of education and resilience,” Khalid said.

“One of the most meaningful moments for me has been seeing my younger sister, Hussan Bano, attend school in Australia. Had she remained in Afghanistan, she would have been denied this basic right. Her education here symbolizes the hope and future that every Afghan child deserves.

“In Australia, I have also been able to participate in panel discussions, share my story, and enjoy the freedom of speech—something that is silenced under the Taliban. Above all, I have devoted myself to advocating for refugees and for those left behind in Afghanistan, whose struggles remain close to my heart. The love and affection we have received in Australia since day one of our arrival till date has made us feel proud of living in a country that has given us a lot and proud to call it my new home,” he said.

Afghan water engineer Shafiq’s son Ibrahim was the first child born to Afghan evacuees in Australia – just a week after his parents’ arrival in Australia.

He is now four and doing well; and he now has a sister Mahsa, almost two.

“Life is good for us in Australia. We are safe and healthy and doing well. Everything is OK,” Shafiq said.

Shafiq is working as a travel agent but hopes to resume his career in water engineering.

“I am working towards getting an engineering job but in the meantime, we are doing OK,” he said.

Shafiq said he was also happy about the opportunities Ibrahim and Mahsa would have in Australia.

“My son and daughter will be able to have a good education and follow their dreams while also contributing to Australian society,” he said.

But Shafiq said his main worry was the rising cost of living.

“The cost of living is rising day by day and things are getting more difficult,” he said.

Afghan evacuee Atefa Ibrahimi says she feels safe and well supported in Melbourne after escaping Kabul.

Shortly after arriving, her father underwent life-saving brain surgery.

“We feel very lucky to be Australia. My father is recovering, and I am grateful to be able to study and work without any discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion or anything else,” Atefa said.

“In my country this would now not be possible. But here in Australia, I can follow my dreams,” she said.

Atefa recently completed a degree in International Relations in the US and is now back in Australia  looking to begin her career.

Hamidreza Arfany came with his mother and sisters on an evacuation flight in 2021. He is now 22 and studying pharmacy at RMIT.

Hamid says he and his family feel safe and welcome in Australia.

“My sisters are at school and my dad is working. I work, also selling rugs in Dandenong on weekends,” he said.

“We have everything we need in Dandenong. There are other members of our community living nearby, we can buy the food and other things we are familiar with – and the local council has programs that support us,” he said.

“We feel comfortable because there are many people from many places across the world. We are not different, in Dandenong being from somewhere else in normal,” Hamid said.

“We are very happy and confident about future. I love Australia and I love that my sisters can go to school and study because in Afghanistan, they would not be able to,” Hamid said.

*Ferdous’ name has been changed to protect family members still in Afghanistan.