Emmanuel Bakenga, 32, spent seven years in a Ugandan refugee camp after fleeing the Democratic Republic of Congo before calling the Illawarra home, but he doesn't know how his future will pan out after being forced to drop out of a diploma of community service course.

Four months into the Wollongong course, administration staff told him the fees had been inflated from $104 to $4380.

Despite being given a permanent resident visa, he was ineligible for government assistance through VET FEE HELP, and "had no choice" but to give up his studies because he only worked one day a week and was trying to support a wife and baby.

"I find it great to live here. Especially a place where you do not struggle [with how you will] eat tomorrow," he said. "Now, the changes that [have come in] are bringing fear. Honestly, we don't know how it's going to look like if there's no education, to me as somebody who lived in refugee camps, it will look like that because refugees lack education and need it."

A colleague of Mr Bakenga at charity Green Connect, manager Jess Moore, heard about his situation and set up an online fundraiser, and soon discovered the problem was not uncommon.

The Figtree resident was grateful for the help, but he has grave concerns for other refugees.

According to Green Connect, only 31 per cent of refugees are employed five years after resettlement, with Ms Moore labelling the situation unfair and a hindrance.

"[They] find it extremely hard to get a job.

"They come here and are learning a new language, their previous experience or qualifications are not recognised, there's cultural differences ... and unemployment is a big issue," she said.

Ms Moore said society needed to come together to help change because "education should be accessible to everyone", especially people in need.

At the time of publication, Minister for Skills and Small Business John Barilaro did not respond by the Mercury's deadline.