Refugees learn to shake hands, introduce themselves in English, flush a toilet and cross the street as part of the Australian Government's cultural orientation program.

Key points: Government grants ABC rare access to AUSCO program

Government grants ABC rare access to AUSCO program Program offers five-day crash course in what refugees can expect in their new Australian home

Program offers five-day crash course in what refugees can expect in their new Australian home This year, Australia will take 1,050 refugees from refugee camps in Thailand

Ko Aung has no idea who Don Bradman is or even Malcolm Turnbull.

But then, most Australians would struggle to name Myanmar's President — no, it's not Aung San Suu Kyi — or its national cane ball legend.

What the 45-year-old refugee does know about Australia is that it offers a new start for his family, after 15 years of waiting for resettlement.

"Here in the camp things are tight, but over in Australia my children will get an education," said Mr Ko, who has three daughters and a son.

Ko Aung said his children were "very, very happy" to be going to Australia. ( ABC News: Liam Cochrane )

He's one of the latest participants of the Australian Cultural Orientation (AUSCO) program — a five-day crash course in what refugees can expect in their new home.

"I know we'll have to study the language and understand the law so we can integrate into Australian society," said Mr Ko, who is heading for Melbourne.

The group of ethnic Karen refugees fled the prolonged conflict between rebels and the army, escaping to a huge camp near the Thai-Myanmar border.

Cherry has been at the Mae La camp for 20 years.

"In the video, we were shown the pedestrian crossing with the lights and how to get on an escalator and I thought, 'Wow, that's all new to me'," said Cherry, who goes by one name and will also resettle in Melbourne.

'Australia key country for resettlement'

The Government granted the ABC rare access to the AUSCO program to show a softer side of its tough immigration policy.

"This is a dividend of our strong border protection, we are able to go into camps and take some of the most desperate and vulnerable people," Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs Zed Seselja said.

"These are people who could never get the funds and the resources to get on a boat and somehow arrive in Australia."

Mae La is one of nine camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, providing shelter to around 100,000 people.

For Karen refugee Cherry, Australia's pedestrian crossings and escalators will be a new experience. ( ABC News: Liam Cochrane )

Many children there have known no other life than food handouts, huts made of wood and leaves, and the constant risk of fire sweeping through the camp.

Children receive basic education, but refugees can't work in Thailand, so their prospects are bleak.

This year, Australia will take 1,050 refugees from the Thai camps and provide them a house, welfare and education in Australia.

The cultural orientation program covers only the very basics — when to shake hands, how to introduce yourself in English, and a heads-up about having a brick house, a flushing toilet and a little green man telling you when to cross the street.

"Australia is a key country for resettlement globally," said Dana Graber Ladek, the Chief of Mission in Thailand for the International Organisation for Migration.

"It's especially getting difficult with increasing anti-immigrant and anti-refugee rhetoric that we're seeing in countries, so it's really important for countries like Australia to be willing to open their doors."

Karen refugees pose with their certificates for the Australian Cultural Orientation program. ( ABC News: Liam Cochrane )

'I want to go to the beach'

This year, Australia will accept 13,750 refugees and that does not include the 12,000 Syrian refugees offered emergency resettlement over the last two years.

Mr Seselja acknowledged there was criticism of his party's immigration policy, but insisted Australia was one of the most generous sanctuaries for refugees in the world — competing with Canada each year for top spot.

Khin Nin Ye, 16, said she would miss her friends at the Mae La refugee camp. ( ABC News: Liam Cochrane )

"This is us being good global citizens, this is us taking our responsibility to some of the most vulnerable people on Earth seriously," Mr Seselja said.

For 16-year-old Khin Nin Ye, the Mae La camp has been home for a decade, so leaving will be bittersweet.

"My friends said, 'You'll forget us like all the others who left before', but I told them I'll always remember them," Ms Khin said.

The teenager dreams of one day becoming a doctor, something that would be impossible if she stays in the refugee camp.

But first she wants to get to know Tasmania.

"I want to go to the beach ... I've seen it in a video and it looks so nice," she said grinning widely.

Learning to swim will be just one of many skills to acquire in her new life.