Hazara Nation

New research suggests refugees adapt to life in Australia more successfully, if they settle in a regional area.

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

The organisation's chief executive, Tod Harper, says the research also showed that refugees provided a direct benefit to regional economies.

He says 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.

Mr Harper says this is because there is a linking up of both the needs of the migrants as well as that of the local communities.