They fled persecution in Afghanistan, taking their two young children to Indonesia. SBS first met the Khan family on the second series of 'Go Back to Where You Came From'.
A team of prominent Australians stayed with them and experienced first-hand the anxiety and desperation of waiting to be processed as refugees.
Now that wait is over.
World News Australia reporter Katrina Yu caught up with the Khans, who have just made a new start in regional New South Wales.
When filmed in Indonesia for 'Go Back to Where You Came From', the family was in limbo, escaping persecution and waiting to be processed as asylum-seekers.
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Desperation almost pushed them to escape by boat. "I don't like to go by boat, boat is dangerous, but I don't have any option, just this way, illegal," Sarah Khan had told 'Go Back'.
Four months ago they received a call that changed their lives. "By telephone they said to us, from UNHCR, your visa is ready. I think it stopped my heart," said Sarah Khan.
The couple, with 10-year-old Fatma and 6-year-old Ahad boarded a plane to Sydney. "I feel so happy to be in Australia," said Fatma.
The federal government says they are examples of asylum-seekers who did the right thing.
"I think their story underlines not only that this country is a generous country, but that there are opportunities to come here in a safe way, in a regular way that avoids people smugglers," said Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor.
They have been given four of 20,000 places in a humanitarian settlement program.
More than 170 refugees have come to New South Wales' Hunter region over the past year.
Nikola Leka from the Refugee Action Network in Newcastle says smaller cities like Newcastle are ideal for new arrivals.
"It would be wonderful to have a lot more people coming here, especially from those camps in Indonesia and Malaysia".
The Khan family says they finally feel safe, and while the parents focus on learning English and finding work, Fatma and Ahad have started school.
"I'm so thankful, first to Allah, second to my husband, thankful... and the third one... to the government of Australia," Sarah Khan said.
