Newcastle is so much more than Wesam Zarrouf and wife Sara Najjar had hoped for when they were forced to flee war-torn Syria two years ago.
Unlike most of their friends who were settled in Sydney, the couple and their two older children Fahad and Aziz arrived in regional NSW.
"We love it, our neighbours are wonderful and the beach is beautiful," Mr Zarrouf said. It's perfect in all but one way - employment opportunities.
Despite being a qualified electrical engineer with 15 years experience, Mr Zarrouf has not been able to find a job.
"I don't want my income to come from Centrelink. I want to work and pay my taxes like everyone else in this country," he said.
Among the numerous jobs he has applied for was a three month contract with a national engineering company in Newcastle. He attended an interview in March but is yet to hear back.
In the meantime, he is improving his skills by participating in volunteer programs with City of Newcastle and Vinnies. He is also participating in a training program with Woolworths.
In contrast, most of the couple's Sydney-based friends have been able to find employment.
The federal government announced this week that it wants half of Australia's refugee intake would be settled in regional Australia.
The government argues the initiative will in bolster growth in regional areas and reduce congestion pressure in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
The government went to the election with a target of 40 per cent of refugees to settle in the regions this financial year. It is on track to exceed that target - although that is largely because Perth and the Gold Coast were redefined as "regional" areas for migration purposes as of November 16. The target will increase to 50 per cent by 2022.
But the government has been cautioned it will also need to invest in creating employment opportunities if it hopes to achieve its goal without creating significant social and economic problems.
Refugee advocate Sister Diana Santleben said the Hunter's refugees were eager to contribute to their new community and the economy, however, opportunities were often scarce in regional areas.
"If you have been living in a refugee camp you don't care what sort of work you are offered. Your main goal is to be able to provide for your family," Sr Santleben, who founded Zara's House Refugee Womens and Children's Centre at Jesmond said.
She cited Maria's Farm Veggies at Williamtown as a project that could potentially provide employment for low-skilled migrants.
"That project needs about $10 million in government funding to get up and going and it would provide employment for 250 people," she said.
"It would't take too long for 250 people to pay $10 million in tax."
