The Butti family were among the first to set foot in Australia after the government announced it would accept an extra 12,000 refugees escaping conflict in Iraq and Syria.

The family has endured more than most, fleeing their home in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad with nothing, to seek refuge in Amman, Jordan.

Almost two years later, their application for residency in Australia was approved and they were chosen to be among the 12,000 Syrian and Iraqi refugees who will be resettled as part of the federal government's comittment to help those fleeing the conflict zone.

"This is the dream of every person who'd like to live a new life and a decent life", father of two, Osama Butti said.

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Mr Butti and his family arrived in Australia on December 8 and they have already embraced a new way of life.

A visit to Melbourne Zoo gave them a hands-on experience with their new home's native wildlife.



"It's great," 14 -year-old Saif said.

"I feel so great and this is a very beautiful country and I hope I have a beautiful future."



Mr Butti's wife, Hanan Proty, already has close ties in Australia - it was her sister who sponsored the family's application.



Mr Butti said the pair hoped to start work as soon as possible - he is a hotel manager and Ms Proty is a microbiologist.



They have enrolled in English language classes, along with their two children, who will both start school next year.

Refugees in Victoria

Over the next 18 months, Victoria will accept about 4,000 of the government's 12,000 refugee intake.

Most will be resettled in Melbourne's northern suburbs while others will find new homes in regional cities like Bendigo.



Some of the families have experienced great trauma and settlement agency AMES will help them as they integrate into the community.

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AMES chief executive Cath Scarth leads the Victorian team running a program to help the refugees feel at home

Staff and volunteers will provide assistance for everything from airport collection to setting up bank accounts and enrolling in schools.



"They're just so relieved and happy to be in a place of safety and very quickly want to start thinking about putting their roots down," Ms Scarth said.



Mr Butti said his family was grateful for a fresh start and hoped the chance would come to give back to the community.



"We hope that everybody can find a new home, to start a new life, especially for the kids," he said.