Help a 28-year-old woman get her Permanent Residency and remain with her loved ones.

My name is Shelter, and I’m asking for your support to stay in the only country I truly know as home — Australia.

I moved here at age 11 from New Zealand with my family. I completed my primary & high schooling in Perth, before moving to Sydney with my family, where I completed my degree at ACU. Since relocating to Sydney 10 years ago, I have worked, studied and paid my taxes – most importantly I have built a life for myself here. I have now lived in Australia legally for 17 years. My family are now citizens and permanent residents. I have no real ties to Zimbabwe, as I left when I was just 3 years old — Australia is my home.

Visa Troubles

In 2020, I was removed from my family’s permanent residency application due to my age and financial independence. I reapplied for the visa I previously held — the 461 (which had expired during the PR process) — but because I missed the submission deadline by just six days, my application was refused a year later. I appealed the decision through the Administrative Appeals Tribunal but was unsuccessful. My legal team submitted a request for Ministerial Intervention in 2023. I’m still waiting for a decision — more than two years later.

I am currently on a Bridging Visa E and face a high risk of deportation. If that happens, I’ll be permanently separated from my family, friends, and the only life I’ve ever known.

This entire process has been incredibly stressful. I have spent the last 6 years fighting to have a permanent place in this country. After many years, many tears and countless money spent on this process, I have no other option than to make a public plea. 

I’ve followed every legal process available to resolve this situation. I have contributed to this country for close to 2 decades and built a life and community here. I just want a fair go.

I kindly ask Mr Tony Burke, Minister for Immigration and Assistant Minister Matt Thistlethwaite to consider my case and help me stay in the place I’ve called home for most of my life so I may continue contributing to Australian society and the economy as a permanent resident.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for your support.

Please share my petition with your loved ones. I need all the support I can get. 

- Shelter