An Afghan refugee who was forced to flee the brutal Taliban regime is now carving out a new life and career for himself in Melbourne and dreams of starting his own tech business.

Ahmad Milad Mansour, 23, and his family fled their homeland for Pakistan a few months after the return of the Taliban in 2021.

After spending two years in Pakistan, Milad and his family were granted visas and arrived in Melbourne in July 2024.

“The Taliban’s return was difficult. It had a huge impact on everyone,” Milad said.

“My father worked for the Afghan government, so he was forced to leave the country six months before the rest of the family, which was hard for us.

He was threatened by the Taliban and in fact, he received threats three months before the Taliban returned.

“My father was the government’s HR director for Wardak Province. The Taliban told him to leave his job and send them money.

“He told them ‘no’ but around the same time, one of his friends was killed in front of my father. That was not good for him,” he said.

Milad’s father approached the UNHCR for help.

“He was told to leave the country immediately and go to a third country, either Pakistan, Iran or India. So, my father went to Pakistan,” Milad said.

When the Taliban arrived in Kabul, Milad’s uncle also became a target of Taliban threats.

“He had been working with the US, UK and German embassies and he was given a visa by each of the countries,” Milad said.

“I tried to get out with him. We went to the airport and spent five days trying to get a plane out. I even spent one night on the street. It was very difficult for us. We did everything possible, but we couldn’t get into the airport.”

Two weeks later, Milad’s uncle received a call from German authorities and got on a flight to Pakistan and then Germany.

“After being able to get into the airport, Milad and his mother and sisters went home and applied for visas to go to Pakistan,” Milad said.

Six months after he left, they joined Milad’s father in Islamabad.

“Life was difficult in Pakistan. We couldn’t work and the Pakistani government was not welcoming,” he said.

“Some people were welcoming, but others were saying ‘what are you doing in our country?’. We just dealt with it,” Milad said.

Milad is now carving out a new life and career for himself after completing a skills and education course with AMES Australia, a settlement agency.

Milad, who holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Afghanistan, was connected with the settlement agency AMES Australia and completed the course in Dandenong.

“The course was very useful for me. It was valuable to learn about the English used in Australia and to gain knowledge about how to get a job in Australia,” he said.

Milad’s course included a two-week placement with technology company Getmee, which specialises in Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning products.

“The placement was valuable. It gave me experience of the Australian workplace, which is quite different to Afghanistan,” Milad said.

“It was a good experience; I learned a lot and met a lot of people. Ultimately, it helped me get a job,” he said.

Milad is now working in sales for a carpet and flooring company while also studying an Artificial Intelligence course.

“The job is good for me. I’m learning about life and work in Australia, and I’m supporting my family,” he said.

“I’m also studying for an AI diploma online. I hope to make a career out of it. I’m into new technology and I want to do something with it in the future.

“I also want to start a business, and I think AI can help me with that,” Milad said.

He has also started volunteering with a local community group called ‘WeDo’, which supports Afghan youth.

“We are a small group, and we help young people to learn and grow,” he said.

Milad said he and his family were enjoying their new lives in Australia.

“Life in Australia is good. We are very happy to be here. I’m no longer afraid of the future; I know where I’m going and what I’m going to do,” he said.