Australia is a popular destination for international students because of its high-quality education, excellent facilities, and affordable education. One of the benefits of studying in Australia is the post-study work permit which allows you to stay and work there even after graduation.
Regional Australia is a popular choice for students because it offers many benefits. It helps boost the local economy and relieve pressure on major Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Victoria, Brisbane, etc. You also open yourself up to a fascinating experience.
Let’s dive deep into the blog and learn how to study in a regional area and what regional visas are for Australia with Indeedvisa .
What is an Australian regional area?
Australian immigration policy focuses primarily on regional areas outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
As a result, we can divide the regional definition into three categories:
- Category 1 includes major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, which are not eligible for regional incentives.
- Category 2 includes cities and major regional centers like Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong, and Hobart.
- Category 3 includes regional centers, and other regional areas are eligible for the highest regional incentives.
Skilled migrants who migrate to different places categorized as category 2 or category 3 ‘Regional Centers and Other Regional Areas’ are eligible for regional incentives.
For further information, see: Designated regional areas .
What is the extension for the 485 Graduate Visa in Regional Areas?
If you graduated from an educational institution in a regional area of Australia, you might be eligible to apply for a 1 or 2-year 485 Temporary Graduate Visa extension. The regional areas of Australia are categorized as anywhere outside the big three metropolitan areas — Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
For example, suppose you’re a student who has lived in places such as Perth, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Lake Macquarie, Illawarra, Geelong, Newcastle, Wollongong, Adelaide, Hobart, or Canberra for two years or more. In that case, you might be eligible to apply for a one-year 485 Temporary Graduate visa extension. However, if you’ve lived and studied in any other area of Australia not mentioned above for the same amount of time (2 years), you can apply for a two-year visa extension instead. The student planning to apply for a 1- or 2-year extension must reside in the regional area to successfully extend the visa. A post-work visa extension may be a good option for extending your stay in Australia.
What are the benefits of studying in Regional Australia?
The recent announcement of changes to the immigration program in Australia for 2022–23 serves more benefits for international students. Here are the benefits of studying in regional Australia:
1. Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Extension — Post-Study Work Stream
An international student with a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regional campus of a registered institution can stay in Australia for an extra year on a post-study work visa 485. This visa lets you work full-time after you finish your studies.
2. Bonus points for Migration
International students often choose to study in regional locations because they know the benefits they will receive, one of which is five extra points toward their permanent residency application. It is important to remember these five factors when applying for permanent residency.
3. Small class sizes
International students can find smaller classes in regional locations than in big cities. As a result, students receive a more personalized education.
4. Scholarship
The scholarship is available through the Australian Government, known as destination Australia for overseas students studying at remote universities. Students pursuing certificates, diplomas, and doctorates will be eligible to apply for this grant, which will provide $15,000 per year.
5. Living costs
The cost of living in regional locations is significantly lower than in metropolitan areas. For example, the cost of living in Adelaide is 28% less expensive than in Sydney .
6. Closer to nature
Regional areas are the best choice if you enjoy outdoor activities and being close to nature. Its diverse scenery and animals make Australia one of the world’s most stunning countries. For example, you can find sandy beaches, magnificent deserts, mountains, and reefs across the country. And, if you’re a student attending one of the many regional university campuses, you’ll have even easier access to these exotic locations!
7. Relaxed lifestyle
The pace of life in regional areas of Australia is considerably slower than in metropolitan areas. There is rarely any rush in the area, so you feel at ease. Even at work, people take a laid-back approach.
Where can I find visa support?
If you are looking for a reputable Australian immigration agency, look no further than Indeedvisa. We take pride in being Perth’s best migration experts. We provide comprehensive and up-to-date information to assist you with the visa application process. We can assist you with your complicated Australian Visa processes and provide you with the benefits of extensive experience in overseas immigration and education. We have a comprehensive knowledge of Migration laws that aim at providing 100% guaranteed satisfaction and strict adherence to every rule and regulation. You can also find student visa information and regional migration visa details on the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
Connect with Indeedvisa at info@indeedvisa.com.au, or call us at +61 430 575 574 and talk with our Migration & Visa Consultant Perth today.
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