New immigrants would be forced to settle in regional areas for up to five years under a federal plan to ease congestion in Sydney and Melbourne.

The move to impose regional settlement as a condition of migrant visas is in response to community concerns about urban pressures and social integration.

The Australian reported a decision on a time period for mandatory settlement was due to go to the Turnbull cabinet last week.

The leadership spill put that discussion on hold and the proposal has yet to be put to Scott Morrison’s new cabinet.