Who do you think of when asked to picture the most generous philanthropists in Australia?

Is it wealthy donors like Andrew Forrest and the Myer family, or perhaps one of the top corporate givers? Or the many individuals who donate to charities?

Together they certainly play a vital role in supporting social, environmental, education and cultural initiatives.

But arguably the most generous Australians are found within Australia’s diaspora communities.

This week we celebrates International Day of Family Remittances – the money sent home by migrants to support relatives, fund education, pay for healthcare and assist during crises.

Remittances are more than just financial transactions; they are a lifeline for millions of families, a catalyst for economic empowerment, and a key driver of sustainable development.

And the scale is huge.

In 2023 alone, across the globe, migrants and diasporas sent more than $1.3 trillion in remittances to their countries of origin, with close to $1 trillion to low- or middle-income countries, exceeding official development assistance and equalling foreign direct investment.

Australia has large diaspora populations, with more than 30 per cent of its residents born overseas.

Many of these individuals maintain close........

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