Here at RELT, we recognised a critical gap in the services available to refugees and asylum seekers in Australia: the need for language learning support.
Therefore, we created a simple, accessible, and completely free language tutoring service. We strive to help refugees and asylum seekers both improve their English skills and develop meaningful relationships within the Australian community.
We are a diverse community of volunteers united by a common goal: supporting refugees and asylum seekers through language learning.
Co-founder and Managing Director
Levi works as a commercial lawyer and graduated from Sydney Law School, where he wrote his thesis on inconsistent decision making in refugee status determinations. While studying, he co-chaired the Refugee Language Tutoring Program operated by Sydney University's Law Society which motivated him to co-found RELT.
Co-founder and Deputy Managing Director
John works as a public international lawyer and has previously worked as a migration lawyer. Before co-founding RELT, he tutored, coordinated, and directed a separate program providing free language tuition to refugees for over seven years.
Director
Mary is a Professor of Law at Sydney Law School. Her expertise spans immigration, citizenship and refugee law, disability rights, and public international law. She has worked with asylum seekers and refugees for over 30 years, and founded Melbourne's first community legal centre specialising in immigration and refugee law.
Outreach Lead
Jack is currently working as a commercial lawyer in Sydney, having joined RELT in November 2024 following an internship at the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights.
Community Lead
Veera is a lawyer practicing insurance and commercial litigation. She previously co-chaired Sydney University Law Society's Refugee Language Tutoring Program, which has motivated her to assist RELT in its creation and continued work. She has otherwise worked on a range of legal topics in the public interest – spanning Australia and Delhi.
Fundraising Lead
Reeve is the Fundraising and Compliance Lead at RELT, having joined in February 2025. He is a Research Affiliate of the University of Sydney Law School and works as a solicitor at Allens, with a keen interest in social equity and compliance.
Working Group Member
Issy is currently in her final year of a double degree, Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Communications (Strategic Communications) at UTS and works as a law clerk in the dispute resolution and litigation team at a commercial law firm.
Working Group Member
Oliver is a final year medical student at the University of Sydney. He is passionate about Refugee Health, welfare, and the power of language classes to help people feel welcomed, safe, and connected. Before joining the RELT Operations team, Oliver volunteered as a tutor and administrator at the Refugee Language Program (University of Sydney).
Working Group Member
Moh holds a Master of Development Studies from UNSW and works closely with refugee and asylum seeker communities to promote empowerment and inclusive development. She is passionate about using language as a tool to build confidence, trust, and a sense of belonging.
Working Group Member
Akanksha is an interaction designer and researcher based in Sydney with a background in psychology and digital design, currently completing a Master of Interaction Design at the University of Sydney. She supports RELT's branding, design systems, and communications, and is passionate about how thoughtful design can foster inclusion and belonging.
Working Group Member
Marina is in her final year of her Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney, having graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Socio-Legal Studies) in 2025, and currently works as a research assistant to a law professor. Having learnt English as a second language after migrating from Brazil to Australia, she has developed a strong passion for helping others learn and feel confident using English.
We are supported by a diverse team of volunteer tutors and operational staff who come from varied personal and professional backgrounds.
If you have any questions about our program, or would like to submit any feedback, here's how you can get in touch with our team: