Originally from Afghanistan, Hikmat arrived in Australia three years ago after living in Turkey, where he had worked as a general manager for a law firm in Istanbul.
Now based in Melbourne, he’s working as a security guard while applying for roles in business and sales. Despite having a strong grasp of English and a background in business management, like many newly arrived migrants, Hikmat found Australia’s systems unfamiliar and complex.
While searching for work, he connected with Sherry Esfandiari from Civik People. She supported him with job applications, helped tailor his résumé, and introduced him to the Financial Wellbeing Program.
“It was perfect,” Hikmat says. “We learned how to manage money, how to pay tax, about home loans, Afterpay, what superannuation is. We learnt everything.
“I didn’t know the benefits of being paid officially rather than in cash, or what happens when you retire. How you should save money to protect your retirement. Now I do. So from a young age, we can plan for requirement.”
Beyond his own learning, Hikmat has also taken on an informal role as an educator in his community, sharing what he’s learned with friends and peers.
He says this is especially important because so many newly arrived migrants rely on each other for information, without always knowing if it is accurate.
“Lots of people share personal experiences with newcomers. Do this, don’t do that. But they don’t know the standards or the laws,” he explains. “Sometimes it’s false information. Sometimes it’s good. Sometimes it’s useless.
“That’s why we need programs like this, so we can educate people properly. Not just for us, but for the new generation too.”
This issue is something Sherry sees regularly in her work.
“I’m always worried about the wrong information that comes without education,” she says. “People don’t have trusted reference points. They ask each other, but the person they’re asking may not have the full picture either. That’s how misinformation spreads.”
But she has been encouraged by the ripple effect of the Financial Wellbeing Program.
“I was talking to a client who had been unable to attend the workshop,” she recalls. “He said he was sorry that he missed it, but he had learned about home loans from someone else who attended. He went to the bank and found he is eligible for a home loan, he just needs more savings.
“That moment was a real wow for me. I knew my clients talked about these topics with their families, but I hadn’t realised how connected they were to each other or how actively they were sharing that information. It was amazing.”
Sherry says examples like this, and Hikmat’s story, show how formal financial education can break the cycle of misinformation and create real community impact.
For Hikmat, it’s about building a future, and helping others do the same.
“When I see new friends, I share what I’ve learned,” Hikmat says.
“I wish we had more programs like this. We want to know about the law, regulations, tax, settlement, everything. Then we can educate the new generation.”