While recent Census figures show more than 28 per cent of Australians were born overseas, generally regional areas attract a much smaller share of migrants.

However, there are arguments migrants can help drive growth in the regions and many who have chosen a new life in the country say it was a change for the better.

The stories of some of the migrants who have chosen a home in central western NSW tell of overcoming struggles to successfully settle in, such as Pakistani-born Dure Nayab.

"I'm really grateful that I came to Australia," the university student said.

"I feel like everyone should take full advantage of this opportunity and really take on board all the new experiences you can get of moving away and coming to a new country."

A look at changes in settlement patterns in Local Government Areas [LGA] around Australia from 2011 to 2016 found: Regional Australia's population growth is lower than than capital cities largely because it attracts a much smaller share of migrants

Regional Australia's population growth is lower than than capital cities largely because it attracts a much smaller share of migrants Migration should be the first choice for dwindling regions, not the last

Migration should be the first choice for dwindling regions, not the last 151 LGAs helped offset population decline by attracting migrants. Source: Regional Australia Institute

Ms Nayab moved to Australia as a child when her father received sponsorship to work as a chef in the NSW outback town of Cobar.

She had her 12th birthday in Cobar and said the change in culture was immediately obvious.

"The food was the biggest difference, it took me so long to get used to the flavours," she said.

She added that education was also very different and she experienced a lot of support in Australia.

"School was very different. Being a woman, I had a lot more freedom," Ms Nayab said.

Growing up in a small community like Cobar added to her experience and she felt extremely welcomed.

"Everyone knows each other and it is one big family'', she said.

After nine and a half years, Ms Nayab is now an Australian citizen and studying a Bachelor of Communication and Business at Charles Sturt University in the central-west city of Bathurst.

She said, before she became a citizen, life in Australia was much more difficult.

"I couldn't get HECS for any of my university fees, so I had to pay all of it up front," Ms Nayab said.

The young student said while she loved the freedom of university and living away from home, there were drawbacks.

"I feel I do leave a lot of my culture because I'm so far away from home, which is kind of sad."

Farahan Mahmood moved to Australia to study and now manages a convenience store in Bathurst, NSW. ( ABC Central West: Ann Carter )

Farahan Mahmood's story

As a young child, Farhan Mahmood moved from Pakistan to China with his family for his father's government job.

Mr Mahmood lived in China until the age of 18, until he moved to independently study at the University of Technology, Sydney.

During his second year of study the pressure started to take its toll.

"When you first move to a new place you're more driven, you're in control of things more, but as time went on I had the stress of living on my own, in a different country, and with a very small support network," Mr Mahmood said.

After graduating, Mr Mahmood was unemployed for a year and a half because he did not have a full working visa or permanent resident status.

"You start to feel like you're not good enough, or there is something wrong with you, as in you're not cut out for this world, " he said.

Mr Mahmood said he lost a lot of confidence because he could not get a job in the field he had studied in for four years.

He is now the manager and franchisee of one of the 7-Eleven stores in Bathurst.

While there have been revelations about endemic underpayment of workers through the 7-Eleven franchise, Mr Mahmood said he had never personally experienced that.

He said Bathurst offered a relaxed environment and he would recommend moving to a regional city.

"Everyone knows each other, we get to see the same people every day, people know us by name [and] we know people by name," Mr Mahmood said.

"It took us no time to make friends."

Rita Narayan in her Indian grocery store in Orange, NSW. ( ABC Central West: Ann Carter )

Rita Narayan's story

Fifteen years ago, Fiji-Indian Rita Narayan made the move from Fiji to Australia with her husband, settling in the small central-west town of Tullamore.

Ms Narayan spent all of her childhood in Fiji, before she met her husband, got married, and moved to Australia.

She said she received permanent residency status before leaving Fiji, and knew how to speak English, so settling in wasn't an issue, particularly because she grew up in the countryside.

"To people who are moving from overseas, the country is not fast, the way it is in Sydney," Ms Narayan said.

Everything is peaceful, it is not rush, rush, rush. You get see everything slowly."

Ms Narayan now lives in the regional city of Orange and said when she first moved she only knew of two Indian families but now there are several hundred.

This inspired her to open her own Indian grocery store.

"I met a Malaysian lady who moved here 28 years ago and there was no Asian food; she just had to eat all Australian food," she said.

Ms Narayan said she has noticed an increase in migrants living in the central west.

"Now I run the shop; everyday I get to see a new face."

She said living in regional Australia was a great lifestyle.

"If we look back on how we grew up, how we studied, there are a lot more opportunities here."

Migrant support

In the central west, migrant support worker Monique Von Toor offers support to an individual in their first five years after arrival in Australia, in order to help them ease into the community.

Ms Von Toor said the two biggest issues facing a migrant were learning English and finding employment.

"When you move to smaller towns in regional areas, you have to rely on your ability to speak English; there are not necessarily large groups of people who come from your country and your culture," Ms Von Toor said.

Yet, she said a regional lifestyle was a great change for migrants moving to Australia.

"The people who do settle here become independent quite quickly," she said.

"They are encouraged to mix with all sorts of people around them."