The first of Australia's resettled Syrian refugee families has celebrated Australia Day with a traditional barbecue in Perth.
Bashar Kujah, his wife Khawlah and their children Mohammad, 8, Maryam, 7, Ahmad, 3, and two-month-old Abdullah attended a community barbecue at the City of Bayswater Civic Centre on Tuesday.
They were the first of 12,000 Syrian refugees resettled in Australia last November as part of Australia's additional intake commitment.
Originally from Homs, in western Syria, the young family had been living in a camp for several years but their arrival was brought forward because Ms Kujah was pregnant.
Mr Kujah said through an interpreter his priority was to continue learning English, educate his children and get work as a butcher.
"They're very happy and they feel that they've come to a great country and they feel among family and friends here," the interpreter told reporters.
Mr Kujah also hopes other relatives will eventually be able to come to Australia.
His wife thanked everyone who helped them settle into their Yokine home and said she was so happy her youngest child was born in Australia.
"She's very happy, very pleased that he was born here in Australia so he's now officially an Australian citizen," the interpreter said.
"She's just absolutely thrilled that he had a chance to be born here."
Federal Social Services Minister Christian Porter said just more than 20 Syrian refugees had arrived so far but it was a slower process than anticipated because many people were sponsored humanitarian arrivals and the security checks were so rigorous.
"It will gain pace over the next several months but on that continuum of estimates, this is at the slowest end," he told reporters.
The minister said it would certainly take longer than 12 months to complete.
West Australian Premier Colin Barnett said all refugees would be welcomed in Australia and eventually become citizens.
