Bassir Qadiri OAM is an esteemed humanitarian leader, social justice advocate, and community builder whose journey from refugee to nationally recognised changemaker epitomises the very best of Australian values: resilience, fairness, compassion, and service to others.

He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Bakhtar Community Organisation (BCO), a leading Victorian charity that has transformed the lives of thousands of vulnerable Australians, particularly refugees, asylum seekers, and families experiencing hardship. Since its establishment in 2017, BCO has provided critical support to over 8,000 refugees and migrants from Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria, Myanmar, and beyond, helping them to navigate complex systems and meaningfully integrate into Australian society.

Under Bassir’s visionary leadership, BCO has delivered more than $3 million in humanitarian aid, including emergency food relief, clothing, household goods, school supplies, and crisis housing. These efforts have been particularly vital during defining moments such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the fall of Kabul in 2021, the crisis in Ukraine, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, where his rapid, culturally sensitive responses prevented further trauma, poverty, and isolation.

Bassir is also a pioneer in justice reform through the Work and Development Permit (WDP) Program, a Victorian initiative allowing disadvantaged people to clear outstanding fines through volunteering, counselling, and education. Through BCO, he has supported more than 400 vulnerable individuals—including women fleeing domestic violence and long-term unemployed Australians—to clear close to $1 million in fines, lifting people out of hardship and restoring dignity, fairness, and community participation.

Beyond service delivery, Bassir has contributed to policy and advocacy through his appointments to the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Regional Advisory Council and the City of Casey’s Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee, where he has influenced inclusive policies affecting refugees, migrants, and disadvantaged populations. His lived experience, combined with professional and academic expertise, makes him a highly respected advisor and thought leader.

Bassir’s contributions have been recognised with some of the nation’s most prestigious honours, including the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2024, the Victorian Inclusive Volunteering Award (2022), and the Casey Citizen of the Year Award (2020). These accolades are a testament to his unwavering commitment to service, equity, and community leadership.

Fluent in seven languages (Dari, Persian, Pashto, French, English, Hindi, and Urdu) and holding multiple postgraduate qualifications including a Master of Communication (Deakin University), a Master’s in Linguistics (University of Rouen, France), and a Master of Leadership (in progress) Bassir combines cultural intelligence, professional expertise, and lived experience to lead with empathy and impact. He is also a qualified finance manager and professional interpreter, bridging critical gaps for newly arrived migrants.

Despite his national recognition, Bassir remains deeply grounded and community focused. He is often found side by side with volunteers delivering food packages, mentoring young people, or personally assisting families in crisis. His humility, compassion, and accessibility make him not only a leader but also a trusted role model, particularly for youth and multicultural communities.

Today, Bassir is recognised as one of Australia’s most inspiring humanitarian leaders—a man who arrived seeking safety and has become a champion of unity, inclusion, and justice. His story demonstrates that adversity can be transformed into leadership, that diversity is a national strength, and that one individual’s vision can uplift thousands of lives.

Bassir Qadiri OAM embodies the spirit of modern Australia resilient, inclusive, and dedicated to a future where no one is left behind.