For international students who are considering the many study options available at Australian universities. Studying in a regional city can provide many benefits, such as lower living costs and potential extra migration benefits. On the 16th of November 2019, the Australian government released the new Designated Area Migration Agreement, which is a boom towards international students who are looking to complete further studies within Australia or look for work after their study completion.
One of the many benefits of studying at a regional University within Australia is the increased migration pathway options for international students studying in regional areas. Whilst studying and enjoying the relaxing lifestyle, international students are also eligible to receive up to additional 2-year extension on their Temporary Graduate 485 visa. This means that it is possible for international students to receive a total of up to 4 years on their Temporary Graduate 485 visa.
Studying at regional University also gives you a chance to work and engage yourself in the local community, which enable you to build a network for employment during your study. Regional Australia contributes much to Australia’s economy, with about one third of the national output provided by regional areas. Regional Australia is home to 9.45 million Australians and many of the working Australians receive employment within regional areas.
Listed below are four reasons that show how living and studying in regional Australia can benefit you:
1. Up to 4 years on a Temporary Graduate 485 visa
The Migration Regional Areas Instrument, which was released on the 16th of November 2019, which allowed international students who live and study at University campuses that are located in regional areas. To be applicable to receive up to 2 additional years on top of the 2 years provided on the temporary graduate 485 Visa. This means that successful applicants can potentially receive up to 4 years total, if they have studied and lived within a regional area before applying.
The additional 2 years extension granted for Temporary Graduate 485 visa are explained in the following:
Additional 1 year (total 3 years) Temporary Graduate 485
International students that live and study at regional University campuses that are located in cities that are listed in category 2 of the designated regional areas are eligible to receive an additional 1 year when they apply for the temporary graduate 485 visa. This is only applicable for students who received a Bachelor’s degree or higher qualification. The cities that are part of category 2 include Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong, and Hobart.
This means that potential applicants for the temporary graduate 485 visa can receive a total of 3 years on their visa.
Additional 2 year (total 4 years) Temporary Graduate 485
International students that live and study at regional university campuses that are located in cities that are listed in category 3 of the designated regional area postcodes are eligible to receive an additional 2 year when they apply for the temporary graduate 485 visa. This is only applicable for students who received a Bachelor’s degree or higher qualification. The cities that are part of category 3 are all cities that are not considered in the metropolitan area or cities that are listed in category 2. The full list can be found here!
This means that potential applicants for the temporary graduate 485 visa can receive a total of 4 years on their visa. This allows successful applicants to stay within Australia and work on applying their knowledge and skills within the Australian workforce whilst also offering the opportunity to work towards applying for a permanent residency visa.
2. Skilled Work Regional Migration Incentive
Studying in regional Australia means that it is possible to be eligible for the new General Skilled Migration visa program. You may be eligible to claim points for the ‘Regional Australia’ part of the points test as you have lived and studied in a regional area. A visa for skilled people nominated by a state or territory government to live and work in regional Australia
Therefore, for those looking to apply for permanent residency in the future after studying within Australia, studying in a regional area can help gather the necessary points required to be eligible for a permanent residency visa. Studying and living in any regional city for over two years will grant you an extra five points towards a skilled Permanent Residency visa. Visit Australian Government website Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) for more information.
3. More Visa Options
Studying in regional areas of Australia enables international students many migration pathways to take on. Because regional areas have a lower population, job opportunities are higher in certain occupations on the skills list. The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Subclass 494 visa enables international students to work for regional employers, where employers cannot source an appropriately skilled Australian worker. Click here for Subclass 494 visa.
4. Lower cost of living
In comparison to the big cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane the cost of living in Perth, Adelaide, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Wollongong, Illawarra, Geelong, and Hobart is much lower. With house and room renting, groceries cheaper than big cities. It is much more affordable, and it could potentially save international student thousands of dollars a year. Therefore, you could enjoy the saving of paying less to have a chance to live in quality accommodation, and other expenses like transport, groceries, food, and entertainment, as theyare much cheaper than any big city.
Another benefit of living within regional Australia is the type of lifestyle experienced. Regional cities often have a more relaxed atmosphere, in comparison to big cities.
Regional Universities of Australia
There are a number of universities that are located in regional areas of Australia. These institutions offer the opportunity to explore Australia outside the big cities and experience many things that are unique to Australia, which includes Australia’s natural wonders. Here are some of the University in regional areas:
- Charles Darwin University (CDU)
- University of Tasmania (UTAS)
- Edith Cowan University
- Murdoch University
- Southern Cross University (SCU)
- University of Adelaide
- James Cook University (JCU)
- University of Southern Queensland
- University of South Australia (UNISA)
- Griffith University
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