The Best Regional Areas to Study in Australia
The Australian Government wants to encourage international students to study and live in designated “Regional Areas” of Australia. If you live and study in one of these Regional Areas for at least two years, you can gain an extra 5 points on the Immigration Points Tests, which may increase your chance of PR in Australia. There are also numerous other benefits to studying in regional areas that will be introduced in November 2019 including increased points for Regional State Nomination and an additional year on the graduate work visa.
However, there are plenty of other reasons to consider studying in a regional area including the cheaper cost of living and lifestyle.
Regional Areas have recently been reclassified to include every where in Australia Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Yes, The Gold Coast and Perth are now classified as regional areas by immigration!
The Gold Coast
Commercial Cookery
Carpentry
Automotive Heavy Diesel
Painting and Decorating
Solid Plastering
Bricklaying
Boat Building
Engineering Fabrication
Automotive Mechanical
Automotive Electrical
Electrical Instrumentation
Wall and Floor Tiling
Marketing
Human Resources
Mental Health
Website Development
Aged Care
Sustainable Operations
Travel and Tourism
Photography
Graphic Design
Business
Early Childhood Education
Nursing
Digital and Interactive Games
Interior Design
Education Support
Conservation and Land Management
Fashion Design
Hairdressing
Digital Media and Technology
Sport Development
Fitness
Outdoor Recreation
Hospitality
Leadership and Management
Project Management
Population
Job opportunities
Cost of living
Trade Courses
Carpentry
Automotive Heavy Diesel
Painting and Decorating
Solid Plastering
Bricklaying
Boat Building
Engineering Fabrication
Automotive Mechanical
Automotive Electrical
Electrical Instrumentation
Wall and Floor Tiling
University Courses
Perth
Trade Courses
Commercial Cookery
Carpentry
Automotive Mechanical
Bricklaying
Vocational Courses
Marketing
Human Resources
Aged Care
Business
Early Childhood Education
Nursing
Graphic Design
Travel and Tourism
Digital Media and Technology
Sport Development
Fitness
Outdoor Recreation
Hospitality
Leadership and Management
Project Management
Population
Job opportunities
Cost of living
Trade Courses
Carpentry
Automotive Mechanical
Bricklaying
University Courses
Sunshine Coast
The population on the Sunny Coast is around 350,000, but this is spread out across the coast and inland, towards the mountains, meaning there is loads of opportunity and a thriving community without feeling like you are living like a sardine. People are catching on to this regional gem, and the population is expected to grow over the years, meaning this is the right time to make your move there.
Despite being about as Aussie as you can get in terms of lifestyle, almost 20 percent of the population was born overseas, with thriving British, Kiwi, Irish, Scottish, German and Italian communities. There are all sorts of fun events year-round, from music festivals to food and wine festivals, triathlon events and even a yoga festival. The Sunny Coast is about an hour to 90 minutes north of Brisbane, where you can get your dose of urban culture or easily catch a direct domestic or international flight.
People on the Sunshine Coast are Foodies! Locals and tourists alike are driving the biggest industry on the Sunshine Coast: Hospitality and Tourism. Chefs, Restaurateurs and Managers, and Hotel Staff are in-demand there. Some of the other in-demand jobs on the Sunshine Coast are Nursing and Health, Construction, Managers.
Trade Courses
Commercial Cookery
Carpentry
Vocational Courses
Business
Early Childhood Education
Nursing
Digital and Interactive Games
Graphic Design
Interior Design
Education Support
Conservation and Land Management
Fashion Design
Hairdressing
Travel and Tourism
Digital Media and Technology
Sport Development
Fitness
Outdoor Recreation
Population
Sunny Coast is around 350,000 people
Job opportunities
Hospitality and Tourism (Chefs, restaurateurs, hotel staff, nurses, construction workers etc.)
Cost of living
Trade Courses
Carpentry
University Courses
Byron Bay
The population in Byron Shire is only about 30,000 making it much smaller than the Sunshine Coast. Where it lacks in population, it makes up for in personality. The community is very diverse and attracts people from the UK, NZ, USA, Europe and Brazil. There are dozens of events in Byron, such as Bluesfest, Splendour in the Grass, and countless cultural and alternative events for interests of all sorts. Situated about an hour south of Gold Coast and the international airport there, you’re never too far from a weekend getaway or international travel.
Trade Courses
Commercial Cookery
Vocational Courses
Business
Marketing
Leadership and Management
Digital Media Technology
Early Childhood Education
Population
Job opportunities
Cost of living
Trade Courses
University Courses
Southern Cross University – Lismore
Adelaide
Adelaide has a metro population of about 1.3 million and like any city, it is much more diverse than the other regions on our list. The foreign-born population is about 30 percent, with various cultures represented, from Greek and Italian to Vietnamese and Chinese to Sri Lankan and Indian, meaning wherever you were born, you will feel a sense of connection and community in Adelaide. Adelaide has a major international airport, meaning you can find easy domestic and international flights.
Trade Courses
Automotive
Commercial Cookery
Vocational Course
Business
Community Services
Leadership and Management
Accounting
Early Chilldhood Education and Care
Individual Support
Nursing
Network Security
General English
Project Management
Disability
Remedial Massage
Population
Job opportunities
Cost of living
Trade Courses
Commercial Cookery
University Courses
Cairns
With a population of around 150,000, Cairns has all of the conveniences of a modern city but with multiple World Heritage Sites, the natural splendor of the region has been perfectly preserved. Cairns’ population is about as diverse as its scenery. Along with having a higher proportion of Indigenous Australians, there are many other cultures represented here. Many people from the UK, Japan, India, Korea, China, Italian and German now call Cairns home. Cairns also has an international airport with easy domestic flights as well as flights to shorter international trips (and a direct flight to Bali).
Trade Courses
Commercial Cookery
Electro-instrumentation
Vocational Courses
Business
Hospitality
Nursing
Early Childhood Education
Horticulture
Beauty Therapy
Travel and Tourism
Digital Media
Information Technology
Population
Job opportunities
Cost of living
Trade Courses
Electro-instrumentation
Tasmania
The population of the greater Hobart region, the capital city of Tasmania, is a little over 200,000. Though not as culturally diverse as other regions in Australia, Hobart is becoming a popular place to call home for people from the UK, Europe, and China. Hobart has an international airport, making it easy to get to the mainland for a visit or as a stop-over for longer international travel.
Cost of Living: Tasmania is quite wealthy considering how small it is and the average income is relatively high, while the cost of living is much lower than in mainland cities. Hobart was ranked as the most affordable capital province in Australia to buy a house.
Trade Courses
Commercial Cookery
Vocational Courses
Nursing
Business
Leadership and Management
Population
Job opportunities
Cost of living
Trade Courses
University Courses
Bundaberg
Bundaberg is considered the Southern Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef as well as being the Number 1 Whale Watching Destination in Australia, which draws tourists year-round. This means that not only will you have plenty to do for weekend fun, but the CBD is designed to satisfy and impress, with great restaurants and pubs as well as outstanding markets featuring local tropical produce and authentic Aussie-made arts and crafts. Bundaberg also has stunning beaches and alluring forests in the hinterlands and is the access point to Lady Elliot Island, where you can swim with giant manta rays.
Bundaberg’s population has been slowly growing over the years and has reached nearly 100,000. It’s a popular place to call home for people from the Philippines, South Africa, Europe, China and the UK.
Trade Courses
Automotive Mechanical
Engineering Fabrication and Trade
Vocational Courses
Nursing
Population
Job opportunities
Cost of living
Trade Courses
Engineering Fabrication and Trade
GET IN TOUCH
In case of questions, feel free to reach out to one of our experienced Registered Migration Agents.
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