You must live in Regional Australia to know it better

Migrants living in regional NSW say there's already a lot to gain from venturing outside the nation’s capitals - but any extra government support would be a bonus. "I think to discover the real Australia you have to go regional and Armidale is one of the best places you can explore the real Australia," said Saluza Chaudhary, an international student from Nepal.

Nepali international student Saluza Chaudhary. Source: SBS

If re-elected in May, the Coalition government is promising new incentives for migrants to live and work in regional Australia, in a bid to ease congestion in the major centres. 

Armidale in northern NSW prides itself on being one of Australia’s most multicultural cities.

The University of New England is at Armidale's multicultural heart and has about 1000 international students at any given time.

"I think to discover the real Australia you have to go regional and Armidale is one of the best places you can explore the real Australia," said Saluza Chaudhary, an international student from Nepal.

Sangita Kharel from Nepal says one downside of living in regional Australia is a lack of employment options for new migrants.

"It's difficult to find a job in Armidale," she said.

"If someone gets a job, it's really easy to settle here, but if we don't get a job, it's hard to stay."

But local employers say they rely on migrants to fill their workforce.

"Probably 24-25 per cent of our total workforce is made up of migrant, visiting employees," said Autumn Lodge Aged Care CEO Greg Clarke.

"We have an open employment policy and are quite accepting of internationals."

Saluza Chaudhary, says the people she passes on her morning walks make life in Armidale a unique experience.

"Everybody with their little dogs on a morning walk says 'hello, good day' and it makes me really feel like it's a good day, it's really a good day."