How employment is transforming the lives of refugee mothers and their children.
When Hasti Shadab reflects on coming to Aus
tralia from Afghanistan in 2018, it’s her mum Nooriya she talks most about, whose courage and reassurance helped get them through the uncertainty of starting again.
“She was so strong, always boosting our confidence and looking after us, reminding us not to be afraid.”
Now that the family is settled in Australia, it’s Nooriya who is working on building her own confidence – while continuing to care for her family. One of the most effective ways Nooriya is doing this is through a job.
Nooriya works for Australia Post, a job she secured through its partnership with Civik People, a social enterprise launched by White Box Enterprises in 2019 to help refugees and humanitarian entrants find sustainable employment in Australia.
“One of the best parts of my day is when mum comes home and tells me all about what happened at work,” Hasti remarks.
Australia Post is one of the few organisations in Australia to have a Refugee Employment and Engagement Action Plan. Created in 2024, it reinforces the organisation’s commitment not only to diversity and inclusion, but also to a future in which everyone has an opportunity to succeed. Central to this is partnerships with organisations like Civik People and Thrive Refugee Enterprises, recognising that people from refugee backgrounds need additional support when entering the workforce for the first time in Australia.
“Working at Australia Post is not just a job for me; it has become a community where I feel excited to go and learn every day,” says Nooriya.
“I have made good friends, and I truly love my job, it feels like a dream. This experience wouldn’t have been possible without Civik People’s support.”
This intentional approach in Australia’s workplaces is sorely needed. Ten years after arriving in Australia, only 39 percent of refugee women are in the workforce, compared to 63 percent of refugee men.
To effectively help close this gap and provide the additional support needed to best prepare refugee women for employment, Civik People relies on the support of the EPRI (Economic Participation for Refugee Integration) program, an initiative by the Department of Home Affairs that provides funding to social enterprises to help cover the impact costs associated with assisting refugees in gaining skills, confidence and employment.
That assistance changes depending on a client’s needs. It might mean supporting the application process, advising on interview tips or helping to find the right workplace attire. It could also look like assistance with the onboarding process, which commonly includes complex mandatory checks – international police checks and working with children checks, for example.
“Finding a job is only part of the journey. For many women we support, it’s the practical things – navigating applications, preparing for interviews, understanding workplace expectations – that can make all the difference.” says Asma Osyan from Civik People. “Our role is to walk alongside people to help remove the barriers, that may not be so obvious to others.”
Beyond employment pathways, there is work underway to address the gap in refugee entrepreneurship, Thrive Refugee Enterprise has launched She Starts with Thrive, a dedicated accelerator program for refugee women. While Thrive has supported over 850 refugee-owned small businesses, only 18 percent were founded by women, prompting this targeted intervention to dismantle systemic barriers such as financial capital, language hurdles, and childcare access. Developed in collaboration with Western Sydney University and supported by the Minderoo Foundation, the program seeks to reduce reliance on government welfare and foster a more inclusive Australian economy.
The ripple effect of economic participation
“I love seeing Mum so empowered,” says Hasti, “I love seeing how happy it makes her.”
And it’s not just the financial benefits flowing downstream to Nooriya’s children. Employment for women from refugee backgrounds creates a ripple effect that moves far beyond a single paycheque. Seeing a mother overcome structural barriers to gain independence reshapes what her children believe is possible for their own futures.
Hasti, currently in Year 10, credits her mother’s work ethic as a key driver in her own.
“She’s my motivation,” she says simply.
Reyhana Hosseini, whose mother Parvaneh also secured work with Australia Post through the support of Civik People, agrees.
“Mum loves having her own money to spend, now that she’s working,” says Reyhana, “but of
course she still spends every last cent on us.”
Now a second-year Vision Science student at university, she says her mum’s focus on her education is testament to her commitment to a new way of life for her family.
“She and my dad both came from really hard upbringings,” she explains, “but they have just
poured so much love into their kids. And invested so much energy. Our success is everything to
them. If I ever have a uni exam coming up or I have to study, Mum will just tell me ‘Go in your
room and forget about everything else.’”
“Even now, girls back in Afghanistan can’t go to school or uni,” she says, “and seeing my Mum head out into the world, with a job, not being held back just makes me want to work even harder.”
As for Parvaneh, the work was never just about a job.
“I never imagined working at Australia Post,” she says.
“Coming from Afghanistan with no prior work experience and facing language barriers, I often felt discouraged. But with the support of Civik People, I discovered my potential, gained confidence, and secured my first job in Australia as a Seasonal Parcel Sorter. It showed me that I can achieve my dreams and make a difference for my family and community.”
Mother’s Day through the eyes that matter most
This Mother’s Day, White Box Enterprises, Civik People and Thrive Refugee Enterprises – which is also supported by the EPRI program to assist refugees in gaining employment or starting a business – have teamed up with Australia Post to show just how far those positive ripples can spread, and to reinforce how vital such government programs and partnerships with leading Australian businesses are.
The ‘Dear Mum’ campaign showcases letters from the children of women employed through Australia Post’s partnership with Civik People, who for the first time have had the opportunity to put down in writing exactly what their mother’s success means to them.
“I love you Mum. Thank you for everything you do for me,” writes nine-year-old Milan to his mum, Shahla.
“I know that in our culture we don’t really tell our mums how much we love them, we show it instead,” writes Basir, 20, to his mum Latifa. “But I wanted to say it at least once in a letter: I love you.”
And for Reyhana, the sentiment is as simple as it is moving: “I would choose to be your daughter in every lifetime.”
You can view all the beautiful videos on White Box Enterprises’ youtube channel (available from 30 April).
