Kinetic volunteers to help young refugees get on the road

Kinetic team members will volunteer as driving mentors to help young refugees gain their probationary licence, as part of a new partnership with the Victorian Government and The Salvation Army.

Through the new TAC L2P Refugee Pilot Program, Kinetic team members from across its Melbourne operations will volunteer as driving mentors to support young people from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing's Refugees Unaccompanied Minors Program.

Over the next 12 months, mentors will help participants complete their 120 hours of supervised driving practice required to achieve their probationary licence, with Kinetic providing company vehicles where needed.

Each participant will be paired with a dedicated mentor for the duration of the program, providing consistency and helping to build trusted relationships.

The pilot addresses a significant barrier faced by many young refugees who may not have access to a vehicle or a fully licensed driver to supervise them, making it difficult to meet Victoria's graduated licensing requirements.

For participants, gaining a driver's licence opens doors to greater independence, expanded employment opportunities and stronger connections to the broader community.

The program is being delivered by the The Salvation Army, an experienced TAC L2P service provider, with mentors also able to access The Salvation Army vehicles being used in their Program if necessary.

The pilot is an example of how government, private industry and community organisations can work together in new ways to address social challenges and deliver meaningful outcomes for vulnerable members of our community.

Kinetic Managing Director (Australia) Matthew Campbell said the organisation believes in using its resources and people to make a real difference in the communities it serves.

“This pilot is a natural extension of that commitment – connecting our team members directly with young refugees to help them build the skills and confidence they need to thrive independently in Australia,” he said.

"We're proud to partner with the Department of Transport and Planning and The Salvation Army on this initiative, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on these young people's lives."