Dhakhil Al-Ali's home in the tranquil suburbs of Toowoomba is a far cry from war-torn Iraq where he fled as a refugee in 2018.
"[There were] major problems in Iraq ... so much war," he said.
"I like it here because there's no difference between any human — no difference between Yazidi, Kurdish, Islam. We fit together.
Mr Al-Ali, who now spends his time volunteering, tending his garden and raising his six children with his wife, Nofa, is part of a thriving Yazidi community in the regional Queensland city.
The 2021 census revealed Toowoomba is now home to the largest group of Yazidi people in Australia and their traditional language, Kurdish Kurmanji, is the second most spoken in Toowoomba, behind English.
The data shows 1,962 people in the city speak the language at home.
The director of Toowoomba Refugee and Migrant Services (TRAMS), Kate Venables, said the census shone a spotlight on how many people needed ongoing help to settle and live independently.
"We have spent five years saying to the [federal] government that actually since we've had increased refugees coming through the system we need additional funding," Ms Venables said.
TRAMS' funding, which is used to pay case workers and interpreters, was decreased in 2018 from $380,000 per year to $240,000 per year for five years.
"At the same time, we had increased people coming into the service, but it's all been anecdotal because the last census data we had was pre the arrival of the fabulous Yazidi community," Ms Venables said.
"Finally we have the hardcore data telling us very clearly that we have a significant part of our population now, 1.5 per cent (2,430 people), so now we have the data to back up what we're saying, that the work we do is vital."
The current model of funding, called Settlement Engagement Transition Support (SETS), was extended last year by the previous government until June 2024, but the new government has yet to commit beyond that.
Growing community
The census also revealed 20 per cent of resettled Australian Yazidis who fled Islamic State attacks now call Toowoomba home, with many domestic arrivals who were settled elsewhere attracted to the now-established Yazidi community.
Hayam Alkhudher is a Yazidi refugee herself and now a support worker-in-training at TRAMS.
She knows first-hand how much of difference support makes to her fellow community members who start new lives in Toowoomba.
"They come here and start at a level of zero. Anyone moving to a new location and learning another language and trying to understand the system, it's a lot for many of them," she said.
But Ms Alkhudher said the workload was too much.
She is one of four case workers serving the entire Yazidi community in addition to other refugee and migrant newcomers.
There are also only four Kurdish Kurmanji accredited interpreters, including Nayif Rasho, 25, who sees three families each day.
"Each case is different — real estate, home affairs, immigration, all issues we face every day," he said.
"They are going to real estate and all other places and asking for interpreter, but it's difficult to find someone to help them."
Mr Rasho said many families relied on help from their English-speaking children.
"I don't agree families should use children to do their interpreting because they're just a child," he said.
Four years on from settling in Toowoomba, Dhakhil Al-Ali still faces language barriers and relies on TRAMS to do everyday tasks like taxes and legal paperwork.
"My children all speak English very well. We try speak together at home, but I forget some words," he said.
"When I came to Australia, I had a woman come to my house, teach my wife English and she comes and helps me when I need to go to an office or about rent. She's a great, great woman."
Interpreters needed
The ABC contacted the Home Affairs Minister's office about the future of the SETS funding and was referred to the Department of Home Affairs.
A department spokesperson said Translating and Interpreting Service National monitored demand for services, including the Kurdish-Kurmanji language.
"TIS National regularly receives, and responds to, stakeholder feedback as part of its work to meet demand for interpreting services in the Kurmanji language, which remains a priority for its very successful capacity-building program," the spokesperson said.
"The Toowoomba community has directly benefited from this program and all Queensland-based Kur Manji Kurdish interpreters are resident in the Toowoomba region."
TRAMS is using the latest census data to push its case for more government funding.
"We continue to be very hopeful because the current federal government has already indicated they are refugee welcoming," Ms Venebles said.
Mr Rasho agreed, saying the Yazidi community's contribution to the community was worth the investment.
"They are opening new shops and buying new houses and their children finishing school, it's all great," he said.
“We could do even more if the government can give more funding."
