Gold Coast and Perth
Are Now Regional Areas

The Gold Coast and Perth are now classified as Regional Areas! This change was made by immigration to attempt to divert migrants from the major cities of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Immigration has also increased the number of regional visas to 25,000 regional visas per year.

But what does it mean? This article explains the importance of this change and how it could affect you.

Some benefits of The Gold Coast and Perth changing to Regional Areas include:

Gold Coast and Perth will now be eligible for the Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

Applicants can now apply for the new Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491) to live and work in Perth and The Gold Coast. The Skilled Work Regional Visa is part of General Skilled Migration visas. These visas offer a pathway to permanent residency and do not require you to have an employer to sponsor your visa. By applying for the 491 visa you can also receive an additional 15 points and have access to the additional jobs on the States Regional Lists.

 

Additional 5 Points for Regional Study

Applicants who study in Perth and The Gold Coast can now claim an additional 5 points on the points test for studying in a regional area.

 

Longer Graduate Visa for Higher Education Students

Applicants who study on The Gold Coast or Perth at higher education and postgraduate level will also have access to an additional year on the Graduate Work Visa (Post Study Work Stream). Please note, applicants who study at a vocational level (Certificates and Diploma) do not qualify for an extra year. The second Temporary Graduate visa will require ongoing residence in a regional area. The definition of regional Australia for this purpose will be the same as the definition for skilled migration – all of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. As students need to graduate from a regional campus and then spend at least two years residing in a regional area to qualify, the additional Temporary Graduate visa will be available to the first eligible cohort of graduates from 2021.

Access to Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa

Applicants living and working in Perth or Gold Coast may also be able to apply for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494). This visa replaces the previous 187 RSMS visa and is for people sponsored by an employer in regional Australia.

For more information feel free to check out the SBS release.