For helping thousands become Australians, Amro Zoabe accepts his award from STARTTS chair Roger Gurr at the 2026 NSW Humanitarian Awards. Photo: Eddy Summer.
An Illawarra man who founded a website to help migrants overcome language and accessibility barriers to Australian citizenship has been recognised at the 2026 NSW Humanitarian Awards.
Amro Zoabe, an Ausgrid electrical engineer and former specialist at Illawarra Multicultural Services (IMS), claimed the prestigious Digital Impact Outstanding Achievement award for his platform, Free Australian Citizenship Test Practice in your Language.
The innovative website offers more than 1000 practice questions translated into 85 languages, far outperforming any other available resource.
Since its launch in July 2025, the self-funded community initiative has already reached nearly 30,000 users.
Amro first conceived the idea while working full-time for IMS.
“We ran citizenship preparation classes, and I saw first-hand the struggles people faced when trying to prepare for a test,” he said.
“Home Affairs itself provides a booklet where all the questions come from, and the scope is very well defined, but in terms of actual practice tests they only provide 20 questions. So people download apps and websites, but these are either expensive, exclusively in English or, to be frank, spammy and not very user-friendly. Others only provided about 50 questions.
“There was a real need.”
When Amro graduated with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and landed a job with energy distributor Ausgrid, he shifted his IMS hours to part-time, but poured much of his free time into coding the platform and sourcing volunteer translations for the website, which remains free for users.
Designed to be simple and highly accessible, the platform supports individuals with limited English proficiency or digital literacy, ensuring citizenship preparation is available to all, regardless of background.
Mirroring the official citizenship test, the 1000 questions are sourced from the Department of Home Affairs booklet and span four categories: Australia and its people; Australia’s democratic beliefs, Rights and liberties; Government and the law in Australia; and Australian values.
The platform provides free, multilingual access to Australian Citizenship Test practice questions, helping new Australians build confidence and prepare for one of the most important milestones in their settlement journey. Image: Free Australian Citizenship Test Practice in your Language.
While the government category is widely considered the most complex due to the specificity of the questions, the Australian values category is especially loaded.
“The questions are not difficult, but you have to get full marks in this category,” Amro said.
“To pass the test, you only need to get 16 out of 20 questions right, but if you get 19 out of 20 correct and that one wrong answer is in the values category, you fail.
“They’re the kinds of questions you only get wrong if you misunderstood. It’s a language challenge. I am hoping the website will really help with this category.”
Users on Amro’s website can tackle the questions via a timed, 45-minute simulation of the real exam, featuring 20 randomised questions in English only. Alternatively, they can opt for untimed random selections or a “marathon” practice session, available in either English or a translated language.
By allowing users to view questions about Australia translated into their own language, the platform bridges a crucial learning gap.
“It allows users to improve their English while preparing for test,” Amro said. “Instead of preparing in English and memorising specific answers, you can study the content and the language side by side, so you’re truly understanding the answer and the why behind it.”
Coinciding with the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the awardees were announced by the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) and the Refugee Council of Australia at NSW Parliament House on Friday (26 June).
The annual event celebrates exceptional individuals and organisations across NSW who display extraordinary dedication, compassion, and leadership in helping refugees and asylum seekers rebuild their lives.
The Digital Impact Outstanding Achievement category specifically recognises those using digital platforms to create a meaningful impact through storytelling, journalism, campaigns, or online engagement.
Amro’s nomination for the award came directly from the Syrian Australian Community Council and Code.Sydney.
“That was a nice surprise, because I didn’t know other organisations were actively using it,” Amro said.
STARTTS CEO Jorge Aroche highlighted the vital role humanitarian champions play within the community.
“While the global situation for survivors of conflict and displacement remains incredibly challenging, our optimism is anchored in reality by the people who stand strong against adversity every day,” he said.
“These awards shine a light on the quiet, untiring efforts that rarely make the headlines but transform lives. In a volatile climate, this collective compassion is what turns a foreign place into a true home.”
Visit Free Australian Citizenship Test Practice in your Language for more information.
