Where To Apply

Regional Australian universities and what they mean for skilled migration

For skilled migration, "regional" means everywhere in Australia except Greater Sydney, Greater Melbourne, and Greater Brisbane. Studying at a regional campus is worth 5 extra points on the skilled points test, opens the Skilled Work Regional (491) visa, and often comes with easier state nomination criteria.

Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, the Gold Coast, Newcastle, and Wollongong all count as regional, and none of them are small towns. Living costs at these universities are also consistently below Sydney and Melbourne.

  1. Adelaide University

    Adelaide, SAAdelaide, SA. Around A$49,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  2. South Metropolitan TAFE

    Perth, WAPerth, WA. Around A$49,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  3. Avondale University

    Cooranbong, NSWCooranbong, NSW. Around A$52,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  4. Australian Institute of Business

    Adelaide, SAAdelaide, SA. Around A$54,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  5. Federation University Australia

    Ballarat, VICBallarat, VIC. Around A$54,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  6. Charles Sturt University

    Multi-campus, regional NSWMulti-campus, regional NSW. Around A$55,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  7. University of Southern Queensland

    Toowoomba, QLDToowoomba, QLD. Around A$55,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  8. Southern Cross University

    Lismore/Gold Coast/Coffs Harbour, NSWLismore/Gold Coast/Coffs Harbour, NSW. Around A$56,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  9. University of New England

    Armidale, NSWArmidale, NSW. Around A$56,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  10. Charles Darwin University

    Darwin, NTDarwin, NT. Around A$57,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  11. Edith Cowan University

    Perth, WAPerth, WA. Around A$61,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  12. University of the Sunshine Coast

    Sippy Downs, QLDSippy Downs, QLD. Around A$61,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  13. James Cook University

    Townsville/Cairns, QLDTownsville/Cairns, QLD. Around A$63,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  14. Murdoch University

    Perth, WAPerth, WA. Around A$63,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  15. University of Canberra

    Canberra, ACTCanberra, ACT. Around A$63,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  16. University of Tasmania

    Hobart/Launceston, TASHobart/Launceston, TAS. Around A$64,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  17. Flinders University

    Adelaide, SAAdelaide, SA. Around A$66,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  18. Griffith University

    Brisbane/Gold Coast, QLDBrisbane/Gold Coast, QLD. Around A$68,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  19. University of Newcastle

    Newcastle, NSWNewcastle, NSW. Around A$68,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  20. University of Wollongong

    Wollongong, NSWWollongong, NSW. Around A$68,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  21. Curtin University

    Perth, WAPerth, WA. Around A$69,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  22. University of Western Australia

    Perth, WAPerth, WA. Around A$73,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  23. Bond University

    Gold Coast, QLDGold Coast, QLD. Around A$80,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

  24. Australian National University

    Canberra, ACTCanberra, ACT. Around A$81,000 for the first year. Studying here earns the regional study points and access to the 491 visa.

How this list was built

We flagged universities whose main campus city sits in a designated regional area. Multi-campus universities that also operate in Sydney or Melbourne are excluded here even if they have regional campuses, since your points depend on where you actually study. Check the current designated postcode list before relying on this.

The full explanation: Studying in regional Australia: what counts and what you gain

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