In recent years, more and more international students prefer to study in Regional Areas in Australia. The Australian government reported an increase of 10% of international students choosing to study in the Regional Areas in the year of 2018. Most of the students were reportedly from China, India, Nepal, Malaysia, South Korea and the United States of America.
Not only that, Regional Australia Institute reported that about 32,000 Australian millennials moved away from big cities and started to live in the Regional Area from the period 2011 to 2016.
But where are Regional Areas and why both Australian millennials and international students prefer to stay and study in these areas?
List of Regional Areas in Australia
Regional Australia includes all of the towns, small cities and areas that lie beyond the major capital cities. According to the Australian Government, the areas below are the listed regional areas.
State | Areas |
New South Wales | Everywhere except Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong |
Northern Territory | Everywhere in the territory |
Queensland | Everywhere except the greater Brisbane area |
South Australia | Everywhere in the state |
Tasmania | Everywhere in the state |
Victoria | Everywhere except Melbourne |
Western Australia | Everywhere except city of Perth and surrounding areas |
Why Study in Regional Areas in Australia?
1. Low Cost of Living
Bigger cities such as Melbourne and Sydney have a very high cost of living due to the expensive accommodation. According to news.com.au, the cost of living in Sydney, New South Wales is AUD$ 2,681.48 while Hobart, Tasmania is only AUD$ 1,208.33. The cost difference between these 2 cities is AUD $1,473.15. So, studying in the Regional Area will definitely save you some money and you can use that to explore Australia while on summer break.
2. Enjoy the nature of Australia
You will get away from the busy lifestyle in the cities and you will enjoy the breeze of Australian beaches. You will not be pressured and stressed to follow their hectic life because you will be able to study in a very relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. You will be surrounded with nature yet equipped with advanced city facilities. Now it is understandable why Australian millennials chose to stay in the Regional Areas.
3. Migration Opportunities
Graduates with a bachelor or higher qualification from a regional campus of a registered institution will be eligible for an additional 2 years in Australia on a post-study work visa. This will eventually lead to an extra 5 points on the Immigration Points Tests, which may boost your opportunity to gain Permanent Residency in Australia. To know more about the post-study work visa, contact us now!
So, if you are interested in studying in one of the Regional Areas in Australia, we have prepared all the universities in the Regional Areas along with their top programs below.
Top Universities to Study according to Regional Areas in Australia
New South Wales (NSW)
Although many people travel to NSW to visit Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, NSW has a lot more to offer because it has a total of 15 different regions that you can surely explore while you are on a study break. You can go to Griffith metropolitan city in Riverina to explore the rich Italian heritage city, Southern Highlands to visit the colonial architecture or to the South Coast to discover its beaches.
The regional areas in NSW are everywhere except Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong. Therefore, we have listed the universities that are located in the NSW regional areas alongside their top programs.
University | Top Programs | Intake |
University of Wollongong | Business, Communication, Engineering, Education & Nursing | March & July |
Charles Sturt University | Agriculture, Pharmacy, Accounting, Horticulture & Environmental Science | January, June & October |
Southern Cross University | Agriculture, Business, Psychology, Environmental Science & Education | February, June & October |
For more information on the entry requirements or on how to apply, please contact us 😃
Victoria
The State of Victoria, official name, is the second-smallest state in Australia and the name was given to honour Queen Victoria, who was the ruler of British empire in 1851. Victoria has a lot of fun adventures to offer such as skiing, hiking,surfing and wineries. Together with your university friends, you can go skiing in 1 of the 7 alpine resorts, camping in the Wilsons Promontory National Park or take a stroll along the popular Brighton beach..
The whole Victoria is considered as Regional Areas except for the Melbourne metropolitan area. Take a look at the recommended universities with the top programs below if you are interested to study in the State of Victoria.
University | Top Programs | Intake |
Federation University Australia | Arts, Criminology, Engineering, Education & Visual Arts | February & July |
La Trobe University | Archaeology, Nursing, Sociology, Psychology & Accounting and Finance | February & July |
Deakin University | Nursing, Education, Psychology, Business & Sport Science. | March, July & November |
For more information on the entry requirements or on how to apply, please contact us 😃
Queensland
One of the top international airlines, Qantas (Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services) was established in this state in 1920. Queensland is the second largest state in the country and it is nearly 5 times the size of Japan. The best part of studying in Queensland is not just you can cuddle with a koala in Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and explore the wax museum where you can pose with famous figures but it also has low living expenses and the people are very friendly!
Other than the greater Brisbane area, the rest of the areas in Queensland are considered as regional areas. If you want to study in this state, check out the recommended universities with the top programs.
University | Top Programs | Intake |
The University of Queensland | Engineering, Education, Environmental Studies & Psychology | February & September |
Griffith University | Hospitality Management, Pharmacy, Nursing,Medicine & Business | February, June & October |
James Cook University | Agriculture, Environmental Studies & Earth and Marine Science | February & July |
For more information on the entry requirements or on how to apply, please contact us 😃
Western Australia (WA)
Hugging one third of the country, Western Australia (WA) is the biggest state in Australia. WA is known for its long-day sunshine, beautiful blue skies and Mediterranean climate. WA has less crowded population which results in less traffic congestion. Besides, you do not have to worry if you are an international student because people of more than 200 different nationalities live, work and study in this state, speak over 170 languages and practice many religions. You will always feel welcome and respected in this cultural diverse state.
You can study and live anywhere in Western Australia except in Greater Perth because it is not a Regional Area. The recommended universities are as follows:
University | Top Programs | Intake |
The University of Western Australia | Engineering,Computer Science and Information Systems, Linguistics & Sport- Related Subjects | February & July |
Edith Cowan University | Performing Arts, Cybertechnology, Education, Nursing & Engineering | February & July |
Curtin University | Engineering, Architecture, Nursing & Accounting and Finance | April & July |
For more information on the entry requirements or on how to apply, please contact us 😃
South Australia
There are so many reasons to study in South Australia (SA). First, South Australia is known as the seafood capital of Australia as it offers fresh local seafood. Then, SA is the home to an internationally famous wildlife haven called Kangaroo Island. You can visit the island to learn more about wildlife in Australia. Not only that, you can attend multiple music and sporting festivals in Adelaide, the city of South Australia, because it hosts a chain of festivals throughout the year.
All areas in South Australia are considered as Regional Areas and the recommended universities with the top programs are as follows:
University | Top Programs | Intake |
The University of Adelaide | Dentistry, Nursing, Engineering, Medicine & Pharmacy | April & July |
University of South Australia | Nursing, Sport-Related Subjects, Architecture, Education & Engineering | January & July |
Flinders University | Nursing, Education, Agriculture & Sociology | February & July |
For more information on the entry requirements or on how to apply, please contact us 😃
Tasmania
Tasmania is very famous for its mesmerising island with plenty to offer. You will be able to enjoy an authentic Australian experience, build up your English skills and make Australian friends because of the lower proportion of international students in Tasmanian classes. The tuition fees and living expenditure is lower compared to many cities across Australia. Not to forget, Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world.
This island could be the place where you will spend your university life and the best part is the whole island is a regional area. The one and only recommended university in Tasmania is:
University | Top Programs | Intake |
University of Tasmania | Agriculture, Environmental Studies, Earth and Marine Science & Education | February & July |
For more information on the entry requirements or on how to apply, please contact us 😃
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is where you can find the two breath-taking natural rock formations, the Uluru (above) and The Olgas. This state has the highest job employment rate compared to other states, making it easier for the students to find jobs after graduation. If you are not really a big fan of winter but want an international experience, Northern Territory is suitable for you. It has a tropical climate with a wet and dry season all year long.
Every areas in the Northern Territory is a regional area and the recommended university with the top programs are as follows:
University | Top Programs | Intake |
Charles Darwin University | Engineering, Environmental Science, Accounting, Education & Psychology | March, July & August |
For more information on the entry requirements or on how to apply, please contact us 😃
If you are still uncertain which Regional Areas to study, do not hesitate to contact us now. We offer a FREE consultation service to guide you so you can enter the right university for your future.
Read more:
Top Universities to study in Regional Australia 2020
Top reasons to study in Queensland (2020)
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Stephanie Calamba
Part time ACCA student, part time content writer but full time child of God.
