Fahima Mohammadi thought her career as a physiotherapist was over the day the Taliban regained control of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, in 2021. For many months, it was, until Fahima connected online with Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) – a global not-for-profit organisation that links skilled refugees with employers.

Fahima, who holds a diploma in physiotherapy and has five years of clinical experience, was the perfect candidate and was invited to Australia to work as a physio assistant in a private clinic in Melbourne’s west.

Co-director of TBB for Australia and New Zealand, Louna Ghawi, told SBS News:

"Many refugees are highly skilled people but they happen to be in very difficult circumstances or stuck in a host country where they have no legal rights to work or to live with dignity."

"Refugees are basically an untapped pool of talent. So, we built what we call a talent catalogue. Basically, it's a bit like LinkedIn for refugees."

"Now, any refugee around the world can access this database and upload their CVs, put some information about their experience," she said.

TBB relies heavily on the support of local employers, so Fahima was in luck that the CEO of NeuroRehab Allied Health Network has championed the scheme as much as he has.

"We work in the disability space, providing services for people with a neurological disability and recruiting into this space can be a difficult process. There has been a shortage of allied health staff for a long time," Woollard told SBS News.

"But I am filled with pride when I think about this initiative, which links right down to our core purpose as an organisation, which is to empower people to live [a] life of choice, inclusion and new possibilities."

"And I really feel that's what we've really provided Fahima... what she could do in Afghanistan after the Taliban returned was really restricted.”

Fahima, who is currently living in a serviced apartment until she finds more permanent accommodation, is proud to be working in the profession she chose but also acknowledges there are still challenges ahead.

“I have a lot of plans, a lot of dreams for my future. In Australia, we have freedom and good opportunities in every aspect of our lives,” she told SBS News.

“But I think about my family because they are still under limitations in Afghanistan… I hope one day I can bring my family here because we are very close to each other and it’s very hard for me to live alone.”