Not everyone walks away.
Some people stand up.
Welcome to We Are Australia®.
We support international students who have experienced crime, exploitation, or hardship while studying far from home.
What is We Are Australia?
We Are Australia® is a community initiative supporting international student victims of crime in Australia.
Students who come to Australia often have no family nearby and limited support networks. When something goes wrong, many don’t know where to turn.
Our mission is simple:
To ensure international students are seen, supported, and never left alone.
International students contribute enormously to Australian society.
But when they become victims of crime, many fall through the gaps.
Fear, isolation, and visa concerns often prevent students from seeking help.
We Are Australia exists to change that.
The story behind this mission
When Vietnamese international student Minh Tuan Duong was studying in Melbourne, he became the victim of a brutal racist assault carried out by three neo-Nazis.
During the attack, a brick was smashed over his head with such force that it shattered.
Far from home and without family in Australia, Minh faced the aftermath of that violence alone.
But something unexpected happened.
A stranger reached out.
A local music teacher, Adrian De Luca, saw Minh’s story and reached out to him, offering free piano lessons and support during his recovery.
Through music, mentorship, and community support, Minh slowly rebuilt his life.
That simple act of kindness would later inspire the creation of We Are Australia, ensuring international student victims of crime are never left invisible or unsupported.
Stand up for international students
There are many ways to support the mission of We Are Australia.
Are you an international student needing help?
If you are experiencing hardship or have been affected by crime while studying in Australia, support may be available.
Sometimes all it takes is one person to stand up.
Together, We Are Australia.