Since the 1950's, Africa's largest country has been ravaged by war, but now it has a chance of peace.
In January, people in southern Sudan will vote to decide whether to form their own nation
However, many of the 35,000 Sudanese refugees living in Australia are worried they will not be able to vote because they cannot reach polling centres.
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The South Sudan Referendum Commission has set up polling centres in Sydney and Melbourne to satisfy population criteria.
The commission was also asked to place one in Canberra, which is home to one per cent of Australia's Sudanese community.
International affairs lawyer Gerard Kennedy says it is another blow for an already marginalised community.
"Many of our members are refugees and many of them are on welfare payments and cannot afford to ...buy a bus ticket or plane (ticket) to go to Melbourne to cast their vote, simple as that," he told SBS.
Most of those affected in Australia are from southern Sudan, and community leaders believe the solution is as simple as opening more polling centres in other states.
"They will feel isolated if there is no polling station," says Obura Gringi of the Sudanese Community Association of Australia.
There are concerns that those who miss out on voting in the referendum could suffer long term effects.
The referendum commission says it is considering opening centres in other states.
