For skilled migration purposes, regional Australia covers the whole country except Greater Sydney, Greater Melbourne and Greater Brisbane. This means Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, Canberra, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast all count as regional.
Living and studying in a regional area for at least two years may earn you an extra 5 points on the Skilled Migration Points Test, and regional nomination under the Subclass 491 visa can add a further 15 points, giving a clear path to permanent residence through the Subclass 191 visa.
Regional living is often paired with a lower cost of living and a more relaxed lifestyle. Points settings are reviewed periodically, so it’s worth checking current requirements before you apply.
