A large majority of newly-arrived migrants and refugees plan to become citizens and feel it is important to mark Australia Day, a new survey shows.
The survey of 150 migrants and refugees, commissioned by refugee and migrant settlement agency AMES Australia, found 68 per cent plan to mark or celebrate Australia Day this year in some way - while 32 per cent said they had no plans.
An overwhelming 89 per cent of respondents said they planned to become Australian citizens, while 11 per cent said they had no plans to become citizens or were not sure.
"I think what this shows is that migrants are really embracing life in Australia, wanting to be part of the broader community, wanting to contribute and wanting to know more about the culture and history of our country," AMES Australia spokesperson Laurie Nowell told SBS News.
However, only 31 per cent of those surveyed knew the significance of January 26 and they were unaware of sensitivities over the day.
The 38 respondents who were aware of the controversy were split over the issue of changing the date - 38 per cent supported a change and 36 per cent opted for the status quo.
Twenty-six per cent said they did not have a view.
The survey also found Australia Day events and the tone of publicity around the day helped many new arrivals feel welcome.
Three-quarters said the day helped them to feel more welcome. Seventeen per cent said it made no difference and seven per cent said it made them feel less welcome.
"I think it's really interesting that a lot of people find Australia Day really welcoming," Mr Nowell said.
"They’ve come from countries where perhaps they have suffered persecution, they haven’t had the freedom to speak their mind, there hasn’t been a lot of safety and security for them and they come here and they are enormously grateful for the opportunity that they have to rebuild their lives."
