Detailed Guide to Australian Regional Classification
The definition of regional Australia includes 2 categories, providing regional incentives for skilled migrants heading to areas classified as Category 2 'Cities and Major Regional Centres' or Category 3 'Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas'.
Category 2
Cities and Major Regional Centres
Included Cities
Available Regional Incentives
Priority processing for regional visas
Applications for regional visas receive priority processing, reducing waiting times.
Regional Occupation List
Access to the Regional Occupation List, which offers more job opportunities compared to non-regional lists.
Extra Visa Time for International Graduates
International graduates who obtain a bachelor's degree or higher from a regional campus can get an additional year on their post-study work visa.
Category 3
Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas
Category 3 areas include all other regional centres and areas, and offer additional incentives on top of all the benefits of Category 2.
Shared Benefits (Same as Category 2)
Priority processing for regional visas
Regional Occupation List
Additional Category 3 Benefits
11,200 dedicated regional places
Access to 11,200 immigration places allocated specifically for regional areas.
Additional 2-Year Visa for International Graduates
International graduates who obtain a bachelor's degree or higher from a regional campus can get an additional 2 years on their post-study work visa.
Priority negotiation of region-specific DAMA agreements
Priority in negotiating Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs).
Category Comparison
| Policy Benefits | Category 2 | Category 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Priority processing for regional visas | ||
| Regional Occupation List | ||
| Extra Visa Time for International Graduates | +1 years | +2 years |
| Designated Regional Places | 11,200 | |
| DAMA Agreement Priority |
Source of Information
Australian Department of Home Affairs