7am Why asylum seekers are barred from Australian universities
Apr 20, 2025
Harini Rathnakumar, a former child refugee who fled Sri Lanka and arrived in Australia at 10, shares her heart-wrenching journey. She reveals how, after dreaming of studying medicine, her hopes were dashed when her visa status required her to pay exorbitant international fees. Harini discusses the emotional toll of being disenrolled just months before completing her degree and highlights the struggles of many asylum seekers facing similar barriers in accessing education. Her story sheds light on the systemic challenges within Australia's immigration and education systems.
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Harini's Refugee Childhood Dream
- Harini fled genocide in Sri Lanka, lived in a refugee camp in India with costly education and hardships.
- At 10, she dreamed of free education in Australia after hearing adults discussing it.
Harini's Journey to Australia
- Harini endured a perilous 17-18 day sea journey on a crowded boat with nearly 100 people to reach Australia.
- After initial detention, she was released to live in the community and started school in Melbourne.
Harini's University Shock
- Harini applied to university as an international student due to visa status and was shocked by fees of nearly $95,000.
- She was heartbroken to learn she couldn’t access HECS and was deemed not a genuine refugee.