Refugees won't initially settle in regions: Premier

The State Government says Syrian refugees arriving in Australia will not be initially resettled in regional WA, because of the limited support and access to specialist services.

Earlier this year, the Federal Government announced Australia would accept 12,000 Syrian refugees on top of its 13,750 quota.

Premier Colin Barnett said WA could accept 1000 refugees, but regional settlement was not likely in the first six months because of the limited level of support and access to specialist services.

Member for O'Connor Rick Wilson said he disagreed.

"I think communities like Katanning have the capacity to take new arrivals and are well-equipped to provide services; not for a huge number, but on a small scale," he said.

"I would disagree with the State Government on the fact that it isn't just about support services.

"Some support might not be Government run or tax paying, but within the community there is a lot of good will."

He said Katanning was a community that had the capital to accept refugees, because there were people who wanted to help, had the experience to help, and understood what sort of help was required.

Katanning resident Jean Philips, who works closely with migrants in town, said unless there was an enormous input of money and an army of trained people, refugees would not be efficiently supported.

"When the Christmas and Cocos islanders arrived more than 40 years ago, the meatworks had been specially adapted to cater for them and there was plenty of work immediately," she said.

"When the Karen came seven years ago, they only filtered into town and if there wasn't a suitable house available, they moved in with the last family to arrive.

"Comparing a large group of new arrivals now, with what has happened in the past, is misguided; we have reached a saturation point with our current resources."

The first Australian intake of Syrian refugees arrived in Perth this week.