The federal government wants to expand a pilot scheme for refugees with professional backgrounds to have their skills recognised in Australia so they can find appropriate work.
David Gillespie, the minister responsible for settlement services, said 320 refugees had engaged in the program since it was launched late last year.
Engineers, architects, doctors, teachers and IT specialists are among newly-arrived humanitarian entrants.
"We audit their skills, we focus on English, and then on getting recognition of their prior training and certification, either professional or vocational," Dr Gillespie told the ABC on Monday.
"And then on trying through the job active (program) to get them into internships or work experience so that we in Australia can harvest ... the skills that they are bringing to the country and also improve their integration."
Dr Gillespie, a rural-based Nationals MP from NSW, said early feedback from participants and external auditors indicated the program was working.
He talked up the advantages of integrating skilled refugees and their families into country towns, and plans to lobby industry groups to highlight the pilot's potential.
"I will be firmly arguing that we should make this a regular feature," he said.
"It will be great for our economy to get their skills working and it is great for them and it improves integration."
