Increasing Australia's refugee intake, even temporarily, could boost the economy by $5 billion a year and sustain 35,000 full-time jobs for the next 50 years.

The findings, in a Deloitte Access Economics report, challenge both major parties' reluctance to increase immigration rates despite calls from the business community in the face of sluggish economic growth.

The children of refugee families had job prospects about equal to the Australian average, Deloitte reported. Credit:AP

It suggests that even those migrants who arrive amid hardship with limited English skills or recognised qualifications will benefit the country economically over time.

Deloitte found gradually lifting the annual cap from 18,750 to 44,000 refugees by 2023 would grow the economy by $37.7 billion in today's dollars over the next 50 years.