Recently, we received many inquiries from students who wish to study in regional areas. In addition to add points, students will be eligible to access 4 years post-study work visa and have more job opportunities. But do you know which areas are included in the list of regional areas? From 16th November 2019, the DHA started to use the latest classification of regional areas in each State. Please see the list of postcodes that specify designated regional areas.
It was previously classified regional areas and non-regional areas and DHA released the latest classification is divided the following 3 categories:
⭐️Category 1: Major Cities
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are not regional areas.
⭐️Category 2: Cities Cities and Major Regional Centres
Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Wollongong, Illawarra, Geelong, Hobart.
⭐️Category 3: Regional Centres and Other Regional AreasCategory 2 has the following incentives:
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Access to the dedicated 25,000 regional places;
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Priority processing of regional visas;
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Access to the Regional Occupations List – more jobs compared to non-regional lists;
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Will be eligible to access additional year in Australia on a post-study work visa.
Category 3 has the following incentives:
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Access to the dedicated 25,000 regional places;
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Priority processing of regional visas;
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Access to the Regional Occupations List – more jobs compared to non-regional lists;
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Will be eligible to access an additional 2 years in Australia on a post-study work visa
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Priority in negotiating region-specific Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs).
