Refugee welfare bill to top $100m: report

The Turnbull government will place greater focus on jobs and education for the 12,000 Syrian refugees arriving in Australia.

A sign calls for money for refugees as Hands off Syria protesters gathered outside Sydney Town Hall on September 13, 2015 to protest the government's bombing against Islamic State targets in Syria. Source: AAP

The federal government will push English language skills and jobs for newly-arrived refugees amid concerns over a multi-million dollar welfare bill.

Most of the $165 million set aside to resettle Syrian refugees in the fourth year of the program is earmarked for welfare payments, The Australian reports.

"I believe it is time to look at ways we can improve the settlement journey with a greater focus on the three `Es' - English, education and employment," Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Concetta Fierravanti-Wells said.