A Bosnian refugee whose parents fled their war-torn town with little more than "the shirts on their backs" has been crowned Miss Universe Australia.

Monika Radulovic, from Botany in NSW, was four years old when her parents left their home in civil war-embroiled Zavidovici.

Monika Radulovic celebrates after being crowned Miss Universe Australia 2015. Credit:Getty Images

"They literally left everything behind, they packed a small suitcase and fled," the 24-year-old told Fairfax Media. "They arrived in Australia with nothing."

The University of Western Sydney psychology graduate beat 34 others to the title at the fifth annual Miss Universe Australia pageant and will next represent Australia at the Miss Universe international final at the end of the year.