Hazara Nation

Refugees settling in rural and regional areas of Australia can be a real asset to the community, a new report has shown.

The report, titled Refugee Resettlement in Regional and Rural Victoria: Impacts and Policy Issues, was released on Saturday and says successful settlement in regional areas can provide clear health, economic and social benefits for refugees and their adopted towns.

The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) commissioned the report and chief executive officer Todd Harper said Australia has a proud history of welcoming refugees and that their integration can lead to positive results.

"It benefits the economy and local communities as well as the health and wellbeing of new settlers themselves," he said.

Since the end of the World War II, over six million refugees have settled in Australia, mainly in metropolitan areas such as Sydney and Melbourne.

In the period 1997 to 2005, non-metropolitan areas were home to fewer than 10 per cent of all new arrivals but in recent years there has been a move toward encouraging migration to rural areas, the report said.

Mr Harper said the report focuses on ways that have been proven to work in assisting refugees to settle in Australia.

"There is strong evidence that when new settlers are able to access resources such as housing, health services, employment and education their wellbeing increases and productivity improves," Mr Harper said.

"It is vital for the health of newcomers that their cultures are respected and that they do not experience discrimination."

The report said some migrants move to escape problems associated with city life, such as violence, drug abuse and youth peer pressure and others because family members are already there.

But it highlighted some problems faced by refugees in rural communities such as discrimination, violence, feelings of alienation and inability to find permanent employment.

Other problems included a lack of community engagement, lack of suitable housing or public transport and limited support services.

The report called for greater cooperation between all levels of government on ensuring successful refugee resettlement in regional Australia.

"It is essential that refugees are welcomed by supportive local communities and that sufficient resources are provided to assist newcomers to settle in rural and regional areas," Mr Harper said.

The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture co-authored the report and director Paris Aristotle said refugees bring many skills to Australia and can help strengthen regional labour markets and societies.

The Refugee Health Research Centre, La Trobe University, The McCaughey Centre, VicHealth Centre for the Promotion of Mental Health and Community Wellbeing and the University of Melbourne also worked on the report.