It was a long and most difficult journey for a family of eight fleeing war and the fear of persecution in Iraq and Syria to seek asylum in Australia.
But their dream turned into a nightmare when the family was split apart by border police in Malaysia.
“The smugglers divided us into groups," says Batool Mohamad Hussain.
"When we crossed Thailand and the Malaysian border, four of my family members were caught by police - my parents and two brothers. And we remained on the other side. We couldn't do anything.”
Unable to be reunited, the three sisters and their brother continued their journey to Australia, unaware of their remaining family members' fate.
Source: SBS
That was in 2013. Batool, now 26, says it's a miracle they made it across the ocean in a boat she describes as a 'wreck'.
“The only thing I could remember is that none of us could swim. How we decided and how we did the travelling was courageous. We had to do it, and we had no other choice.”
Batool, sister Fatima and brother Mustafa now live on a temporary visa called a Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV), giving them limited government support access.
Visa conditions
In their new lives in Australia, and with their remaining family members resettled in Ireland, the two sisters obtained their Higher School Certificate (HSC) with a shared dream to study at an Australian university.
“The minute I saw my ATAR was 87.35, I was shocked and couldn't believe it, I was happy,” Batool says.
But despite both sisters receiving an offer to study Advanced Medical Science at the University of Western Sydney, she found that they're unable to pursue their dreams.
“After living in Australia for eight years, I didn't know I was considered an international student until I applied for university.”
Batool Mohammed Hussain Source: SBS
Under the conditions of their SHEV visa, they're not eligible for a HECS ( Higher Education Contribution Scheme) loan.
"The course costs around $100,000, which is a magical number for me, and I can't afford it,” Batool said.
Batool's older sister, Fatima lives and studies with her younger sister. She says her visa condition has shattered her dream to study medical science at university.
“It was 2018 when I started my HSC course. So for three years, I was preparing myself so hard to get into university, which is the biggest dream in my life,”
Batool was warned about the obstacles on her way.
“Because of my status as an asylum seeker, refugee, I knew it would be a bit hard, and my teacher warned me too, but I didn't know and didn't realise that it was this hard.”
David Keegan, the CEO of Host International, acknowledges the limitations of their SHEV visa.
Fatima Mohamad Hussain Source: SBS
"That visa allows them to reside as a resident in Australia for five years, with incentives to live in regional Australia for at least half of that period. So on the surface, that there are some limitations, the main one being that you can't access higher education, financing, or HECS.”
TPV and SHEV visas
In late 2014, the Abbott government introduced temporary visas TPV and SHEV to discourage people from coming to Australia by boat.
“This came about through an approach to trying to stop the boats and the illegal boat arrivals," says David Keegan.
"And it seemed to be a way to discourage people from coming through that pathway. And so instead of getting a permanent refugee visa, which was the case before, there were restrictions placed on that.”
Around 30,000 asylum seeker who arrived between 13 August 2012 and 1 January 2014 were not subject to removal to offshore detention.
The group faces numerous challenges, including cuts to.
The siblings are currently on a SHEV temporary visa in Australia. Source: SBS
“We don't come like, because we liked it. If we had a safe home, we would have, like, just leave that country. Well, there are 1000s of people that also came illegally to Australia seeking security, basically, an opportunity to study to work to have a normal life. Just normal life.” says Fatima.
Batool believes thousands of asylum seekers are educated and qualified and want to contribute to Australian society. She says she also talk on their behalf.
"I know there are thousands of people who came illegally to Australia," she says. "They came for security and the opportunity to study to work, and have a normal life. I am here today to talk on behalf of me and behalf of them."
Pathway from SHEV to permanent visa
In a statement provided to SBS, the Department of Home Affairs says, " TPV and SHEV holders have access to government-funded primary and secondary schooling. Students who are in Australia on a temporary visa, including those on a SHEV or TPV, are considered to be overseas students under the Higher Education Support Act 2003.
To date, no individuals have transitioned from SHEV to a permanent visa.
Eligibility for HECS-HELP is limited to Australian citizens and certain permanent residents. The Department of Education, Skills and Employment administers the HECS-HELP system."
However, the pathway from the SHEV visa to permanent residency is far from clear.
"To date, no individuals have transitioned from SHEV to a permanent visa," the Department of Home Affairs said in its statement.
"However, a number of SHEV holders have been found to satisfy the SHEV pathway requirements, enabling them to lodge a valid application for a prescribed visa."
The hope for Batool remains high, and she believes one day she will get into university.
“So I just, I said to myself, okay, I have to handle it as much as I can. I'll try my best again. I will see you next time it's gonna happen to me. So I had no choice except to go to TAFE and do some related courses related to medical science.
Fatima shares the same optimism.
“Although still, I have optimistic feelings from the uni, from Australia in general, that they can like help us and build our future just normal dreams.”
For Batool, education is powerful.
“To be educated, it's like, a weapon in your hand. You're very powerful, you can express yourself, and you can be successful in life.”
