Studying in Regional Australia 2022

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Studying amongst Australia’s famous cities may be the dream for most potential international students. However, regional Australia is often overlooked as a prospective location to study. It has so much to offer, and in turn, by choosing to live and study at such a place, you would also be contributing to the local economies in that area.

What is a Regional Area in Australia?

First and foremost, let’s get this out of the way. The term “regional Australia” was designed by the Australian Government as a means of promoting specific locations in the country that are known to be less populated. These areas are generally the ones that are outside of Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. By choosing to study in regional areas, students may find it to be easier to migrate to Australia after their graduation. 

With all things considered, the majority of Australia is essentially considered a ‘regional area’, so it may not come as a surprise for you to know that some of the country’s best universities are located there. An example of such a university is Charles Sturt University (CSU). Spread widely across New South Wales, CSU is offering international students an opportunity to have a unique experience of a regional lifestyle. 

While there are three categories to the definition of regional area, only two of them are offering incentives for international students. 

These categories are as displayed in the table below:

Category 2

Cities & Major Regional Centers

  • Perth
  • Adelaide
  • Gold Coast
  • Sunshine Coast
  • Canberra
  • Newcastle
  • Lake Macquarie
  • Wollongong
  • Illawarra
  • Geelong
  • Hobart

Category 3

Regional Centers and Other Regional Areas

  • All other location

For more information regarding the categories mentioned above, contact us now!

Apart from having an opportunity to complete your tertiary education in high-quality schools with an excellent standard of teaching, studying in regional Australia gives you better access to migrate there. Since these areas are often seeking to employ skilled migrant workers, you may find several attractive career choices for you to pick from and begin your new life in Australia!

What are the Benefits of Studying in Regional Australia?

As mentioned above, regional Australia is home to a lot of Australia’s best universities. Aside from that, you’ll also be able to enjoy a quieter lifestyle as opposed to the largely populated cities. This small population also permits your university life to be a well-rounded and personal experience. Not to mention that regional Australia has incredibly stunning landscapes for you to explore. 

To make this easier for you to digest, we have placed the relevant information in the table below:

Definition

Benefits

Major Cities

  • No access to regional area incentives.

Category 2

  • Access to the dedicated 25,000 regional places.
  • Priority processing of regional visas.
  • Access to the regional occupations list*
  • International graduates are eligible to access an additional year in Australia on a post-study work visa*

Category 3

  • Access to 25,000 regional places.
  • Priority processing of regional visas.
  • Access to regional occupations list*
  • International graduates are eligible to access an additional 2 years in Australia on a post-study work visa.* 
  • Priority in negotiating region-specific Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs).*

*Regional Occupations List – a set of skilled occupations established by the Department of Employment (DoE) and the Department of Home Affairs. 

Post-study work visa – This visa is granted to international students who have recently graduated from an Australian institution. 

DAMAs – It is an agreement made between a regional authority and the Australian Government that offers regional employers an opportunity to employ skilled overseas workers. This opens up further career prospects for international graduates.

For more information of the benefits of picking universities in regional Australia, contact us now for more information! We’re here to assist you! 

What Happens After Graduating from a Regional University?

After you have completed your degree major in a regional university, there are plenty of regional visa for you to consider. 

The following table is comprised the choices you can review over:

Visa Type

Condition

Temporary Graduate (subclass 485)

  • Consists of a Graduate Work stream & Post-Study Work stream
  • Allows international students to remain in Australia for up to 4 years
  • If your first Temporary Graduate visa was under Post-Study Work stream, you may apply for a second Temporary Graduate.

Working Holiday (subclass 417 or 462)

  • Allows 18-30 year olds to work in Australia for 12 months. 

Student

  • Allows you to continue your studies.
    • Either to attain another degree or postgraduate study.

Visitor

  • Allows you to travel, if you’re not looking to work/study.

*Conditions for these visa types are subject to change, therefore it is vital that you are up to date with the current terms. This can be checked through the Department of Home Affairs.

For more information on this section, do contact us now!

What are the Popular Institutions in Regional Areas?

From the information that you have attained from above, let us now dive into the most popular universities in regional Australia, according to the QS Rankings!

#1 University of Queensland (UQ)

One of Australia’s leading universities in teaching and research, UQ has maintained an impeccable reputation as having educated outstanding individuals. The university itself has three campuses located around Brisbane and is currently hosting over 42,800 students and over 3,300 faculty staff on board. The programmes offered by the universities are Business, Social Science, Engineering, Medicine, Architecture, and Behavioral Sciences, to name a few.

The following table consists of the data in regards to UQ’s current standing on the QS World University Rankings system:

QS World University Rankings

QS WUR Ranking by Subject

Graduate Employability Ranking

International Students (ratio)

50

86

63

100

For more information on this section, do contact us now!

#2 University of Western Australia

Located along the banks of Swan River in Perth, the University of Western Australia (UWA) is among the top 100 world universities. The campus of UWA has been described as one of Australia’s most picturesque campuses with its outdoor lifestyle, natural landscapes, and sunny weather. On top of that, Perth is known to be one of the country’s most affordable cities, making it an ideal location for international students to study in. 

Moreover, 7 of UWA’s subjects were ranked among the world’s top 50 in 2018. The university strongly believes in having an innovative course structure that will maximise your career opportunities. 

The following table consists of the data in regards to UWA’s current standing on the QS World University Rankings system:

QS World University Rankings

QS WUR Ranking by Subject

Graduate Employability Ranking

International Students (ratio)

90

143

111-120

99.9

For more information on this section, do contact us now!

#3 University of Adelaide

The third oldest university in Australia, the University of Adelaide is among the institutions leading in world-class research. They are dedicated to pursuing knowledge and creating innovative methods to better prepare students for their future. Its long history has given the university an opportunity to polish their reputation of excellence. Moreover, the University of Adelaide is recognised as an important contributor to South Australia’s health, culture, and wealth.

Home to a multicultural communities, the University of Adelaide offers one of Australia’s highest quality learning environments. On top of this, Adelaide is ranked as world’s third most livable city, ensuring you a safe environment to stay in. The size and comfort of this lovely city make it all the better for you to be in the proper atmosphere to study. Furthermore, the University of Adelaide is ranked among Australia’s Group of Eight – information that is vital for you to consider.

The following table consists of the data in regards to UWA’s current standing on the QS World University Rankings system:

QS World University Rankings

QS WUR Ranking by Subject

Graduate Employability Ranking

International Students (ratio)

109

173

171 – 180

99.8

For more information on this section, do contact us now!

#4 University of Tasmania

Next in line to the University of Adelaide, the University of Tasmania (UTAS) is ranked as the fourth oldest university in Australia. UTAS offers students a pathway to have a creative and academic environment on top of having a stimulating campus life. Well known for its commitment to providing quality learning and teaching experience, UTAS offers programmes ranging from Law, Medicine, Engineering, Marine Studies, and Agriculture. 

Moreover, there are more than 200 awards for scholarships and award programmes are available. The support provided for students includes counselling services, career advisors, and peer mentoring. Not to mention that the university has an above-average rating for graduate employability. 

The following table consists of the data in regards to UTAS’ current standing on the QS World University Rankings system:

QS World University Rankings

QS WUR Ranking by Subject

Graduate Employability Ranking

International Students (ratio)

293

401-450

NA

99.4

For more information on this section, do contact us now!

#5 Griffith University

Built to be a university that challenges conventional methods and pioneering innovative methods of teaching and research, Griffith University seeks to offer the highest degree of education for their students. Hosting more than 50,000 students throughout their six campuses located in South East Queensland, this institution has a welcoming atmosphere for students across the world.

Additionally to their high quality education, Griffith University is also offering a wide range of student support system. From generous scholarships, student mentoring, professional counselling, and even a staff designated to help international students achieve their best academic potential. It is a dedication made by the staff of Griffith University to ensure that their students are receiving proper and stabilised support from the moment they enrol into the school, all through their graduation. 

The following table consists of the data in regards to UTAS’ current standing on the QS World University Rankings system:

QS World University Rankings

QS WUR Ranking by Subject

Graduate Employability Ranking

International Students (ratio)

300

231

301-500

40.5

For more information on this section, do contact us now!

What are the Career Choices to Study in those Regional Areas?

According to the list developed by the Australian labor market, the following list of careers is expected to be in high demand until 2023.

  • Health Care and Social Assistance
  • Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
  • Education & Training
  • Construction

Moreover, for you to better plan on what major to study in so that you may be well knowledgeable and equipped for your future career (and hopefully migration!), the following table is a list of the top 10 list of jobs in demand for migrants in regional areas:

Rank

Jobs in Demand

1

Registered Nurses

2

Secondary School Teachers

3

Software & Applications Programmes

4

Electricians

5

Construction Managers

6

Carpenters and Joiners

7

Metal Fitters & Machinists

8

Plumbers

9

Motor Mechanics

10

University Lecturers and Tutors

For more information, do not hesitate to contact us now!

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About The Author

Karisse Hannah 

Journalism and Advertising major. Passionate about reading and writing, and an advocate for the truth.

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