Hazara Nation

The Victorian Government is being urged to increase incentive programs for refugees to settle outside Melbourne.

The study, funded by VicHealth and several universities, found refugees who settled outside a major metropolitan area were healthier and developed stronger links with the community than their city counterparts.

VicHealth chief executive Tod Harper says refugees are healthier and adapt better socially if they move into a welcoming community.

"The most successful migration programs from the point of view of the migrants were also the ones that were more successful from a local community perspective," he said.

"I think that was because there was a linking up of both the needs of the migrants and the local communities."

Mr Harper says the research also showed that refugees provided a direct benefit to regional economies.