This article explores how mobility is essential for the wellbeing of young people from migrant backgrounds in rural Australia, challenging policy ideals that view successful ‘settlement’ as static. Based on participatory research with youths in rural Victoria, particularly from South Sudanese and Karen backgrounds, the paper argues that the freedom to move is fundamental to building a sense of home.
For these young people, living in predominantly white rural spaces means mobility is often a necessary burden for accessing services like education. More importantly, it offers an escape to diverse urban areas, providing respite from racial hypervisibility and a chance to feel existentially secure. The study finds that this ability to leave and experience other places, combined with the subsequent return, reinforces and strengthens their connection to their rural homes. Ultimately, the authors conclude that supporting young people’s mobility—through better transport and resources—is a precondition for them to thrive and build meaningful lives in rural Australia.
