The Australian government announced in March 2019 that it would reduce the permanent migration cap. It goes from 190,000 to 160,000 places nationwide with 23,000 visa places dedicated to regional locations. However, after the 124% growth in granted regional visas in the first quarter of 2019, the Australian government announced that will increase the total of regional migration visa places to 25,000 for the remaining of 2019.
Regional cities
Another announcement came from the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, David Coleman. From 16 November 2019, the government will reclassify Gold Coast and Perth’s to regional city. That means they are subject to regional incentives to attract more migrants and international students. Any location outside of major Australia cities (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) has access to the 25,000 dedicated regional visa places. Additionally, they get priority processing. And, international graduates are eligible for an additional year in Australia on their post-study work visa.
Post-study work visa
However, to qualify international students need to graduate with a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification. The degree needs to be from a registered regional campus. And, you should spend a minimum of two years living in any regional location. With these adjustments, the Australian Population Plan aims to reduce migration demand in major cities. Also, it stimulates regional economic growth by providing incentives for migrants to study and work in regional locations around Australia.
Difference between Major City, Major Regional City, and Regional Centre
Updates to the Australian Migration definitions include terms like Major City, Major Regional City and Centre, and Regional Centre and Area. But what do these mean? And what is the difference between Major City, Major Regional City and Centre, and Regional Centre and Area.
What is a Major City?
Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane
Incentives to study in a Major City
None
What is a Major Regional City and Centre?
Perth
Adelaide
Gold Coast
Sunshine Coast Canberra
Newcastle/Lake Macquarie
Wollongong/Illawarra
Geelong
Hobart
Incentives to study in a Major Regional City and Centre
Access to the 25,000 regional places
Priority processing on regional visas
Access to Regional Occupations List
International graduates from regional campuses will be eligible for an extra year on Temporary Graduate visa
What is a Regional Centre and Area?
All other regions
Incentives to study in a Regional Centre and Area
Access to the 25,000 regional places
Priority processing on regional visas
Access to Regional Occupations List
International graduates from regional campuses will be eligible for an extra year on Temporary Graduate visa
Priority in negotiating region-specific Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs)
Study in regional Australia
“International education contributed $35 billion to the Australian economy in 2019. However, only 3% of 690,000 international students were enrolled in regional Australia,” said Dan Tehan, the Australian Minister for Education. To stimulate student growth in regional campuses, the Australian government launched the Destination Australia Program. It attracts an estimated of 4,720 domestic and international students to study at regional campuses in 2020 with the incentive of $15,000 scholarships.
The Government highlights the skill shortages and job vacancies in regional Australia. An estimated 60,000 vacant job positions are outside major Australian cities. “International students who study in regional Australia also rate their living and learning experience higher than students based in metropolitan centres”, said Minister Tehan.