Busways’ Coffs Harbour depot opened its doors to 11 visitors from Settlement Services International (SSI) for a behind-the-scenes tour, offering a unique insight into local career opportunities in the bus industry.

The visit was part of SSI’s efforts to support newly arrived migrants, including men, women and youth from Iraq, Afghanistan and Myanmar, as they begin building new lives in Australia. Many arrive with valuable skills and experience but may have lost essential paperwork, including licences, during their journey, often meaning they start from scratch when they arrive.

During the tour, our guests met team members across different departments and got an inside look at the different roles and day-to-day operations at Busways. For some, it was a chance to see how their skills could be applied in a new context close to home.

One visitor shared having previously worked in Malaysia in demanding roles, often 10–14 hours a day, seven days a week - They were impressed by the way the team at Busways works together and the balance they maintain in day-to-day operations.

We had the chance to sit down and chat to a few of our visitors to learn more about their journey and experience.

Q: Can you tell us a little about where you’ve come from and how long you’ve been in Australia?
Mohammad: I was born in Afghanistan and spent the last two months as a refugee in Pakistan. Everything is still new for me, but I feel lucky to be here starting fresh in Australia.
Fatima: I’m also from Afghanistan. I spent seven years in Turkey as a refugee before coming to Australia. It’s been a long journey, but I’m grateful for the support I’ve found here so far.

Q: Can you share a bit about what you’ve done from your past work?

Mohammad: I have 25 years of experience driving trucks and heavy vehicles back in Afghanistan.
Fatima: I worked in administrative roles in a law firm overseas, as well as in manufacturing. I also speak three languages.

Q: What was the most memorable part of your visit today?
Mohammad: This was my first time visiting a bus depot. I really enjoyed learning about the driver’s role and seeing how everything works behind the scenes.
Fatima: For me, it was seeing the driver’s seat and controls up close - the pedals, gears, all the technology. I didn’t realise how much goes into driving a bus until today.

Q: How have the buses helped you to travel around in Coffs Harbour?

Ali: When I first arrived, I used the buses to get to the hospital, TAFE and to do my shopping

Q: And finally, how have you found the Coffs Harbour community since arriving?
Mohammad: The people here have been very welcoming and supportive, giving me hope.

Fatima: The community has been warm and open, and I’ve already learned so many new things.

Visits like these are a small but important step in helping those new to our shores gain confidence in new surroundings and consider future options in our thriving public transport industry.

Thank you to the SSI group for spending the morning with us, we look forward to exploring more opportunities to support local communities in regional NSW.