• The Building a New Life in Australia study was set up in 2013
• It follows refugees in their first five years of arriving in the country 
• One in 20 refugees found work within six months of settling, the study says
• 90 per cent said their main source of income came from welfare payment

With preparations for the resettlement of 12,000 Syrian refugees in Australia well underway, a study has revealed that only one in 20 refugees were able to find work within six months of settling in the country. 

The study, set up in 2013, focused on the experience of 2,400 refugees following their arrival in Australia for five years.

The Building a New Life in Australia study looked at topics of their arrival in Australia, housing, education, employment, health, support services, and their community. 

The Building a New Life in Australia study was set up in 2013 and follows refugees in their first five years of arriving in Australia

The ABC reports that Social Services Minister Scott Morrison said that resettlement of refugees was not an easy task.

'It is very difficult job and that's why how you identify and how you select people and bring them into the country, you've got to do that in a way which gives people who you're trying to help the best opportunity of success in Australia,' Mr Morrison said.

Statistics in relation to the first six months of arrival in Australia found that almost half never had a paying job and that little to none could speak English.

Social Services Minister Scott Morrison said that resettlement of refugees was a difficult job

The study also found that 10 per cent of the refugees surveyed had a university degree, while 6 per cent had technical skills.

Many of those surveyed were suffering from mental health issues including post-traumatic stress and an overwhelming 90 per cent said their main source of income came from welfare payments. 

The survey said one in 20 refugees found work within six months of settling in Australia