Migrating to Australia is a dream for many overseas residents. While many consider Australia to be just about the major capital cities, Australia’s regions have a lot to offer.
Historically, migrants settled in the regions as this was where the opportunities were. Regional communities such as Young in New South Wales and Ballarat in Victoria saw an influx of Chinese migrants during the gold rush. Post World War I and World War II saw migrants from Italy, Greece and Poland settle in Australia to work on national projects such as the Snowy Hydro Electric Scheme. To an extent, migration helped shape Australia’s regions.
What is Regional Australia?
For migration purposes, regional Australia is made up of most locations outside of Australia’s major capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. While traditionally regional Australia refers to locations that are some distance away from the capital city centre, designated regional areas can in fact be outer metropolitan areas that are not a great distance from the capital city.
There two categories of designated regional areas: category 2 and category 3. These categorisations were implemented to encourage settlement beyond Australia’s three largest cities. They aim to boost the appeal of the smaller cities and regional centres so they can grow their population and support local services and attract new workers and students in an effort to create more jobs and more investment.
Category 2 refers to cities and regional major centres including:
– Perth
– Adelaide
– The Gold Coast
– The Sunshine Coast
– Canberra
– Newcastle / Lake Macquarie
– Wollongong / Illawarra
– Geelong
– Hobart
Category 3 refers to regional centres and regional areas outside of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and category 2 cities and regional centres.
For a full list of designated regional areas in Australia, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
A Snapshot of Regional Australia
Regional Australia contributes approximately 36.7% of Australia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Regional Australia is home to most of Australia’s top 10 export industries with almost two thirds of Australia’s exports from the regions.
More than 90% of the fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, eggs and milk sold in Australia’s supermarkets is domestically produced in the regions. Australia’s agricultural supply chain supports 1.6 million jobs, and more than half of Australia’s agricultural produce is exported.
Regional Australia is responsible for Australia’s traditional energy sources as well as Australia’s energy transition with most renewable energy projects planned for the regions.
The Benefits of Migrating to Regional Australia
There are many benefits to migrating to regional Australia for both migrants and the regional area itself.
Australia’s regions offer a lower cost of living, more affordable housing, quality education and healthcare, work/life balance and job opportunities in a range of industries
To encourage migration to Australia’s regions, the Australian government has put incentives in place for applicants of skilled regional visas.
Category 2
Applicants applying for a regional visa in a category 2 designated regional areas can benefit from:
– Priority processing of regional visas
– The regional occupations list which offers more jobs compared to non-regional lists
– Access to an additional year in Australia on a post-study work visa for international graduates with a bachelor or higher qualification from a regional campus of a registered institution
Category 3
Applicants applying for a regional visa in a category 3 regional area can benefit from:
– Priority in negotiating region-specific Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs)
– Access to an additional year in Australia on a post-study work visa for international graduates with a bachelor or higher qualification from a regional campus of a registered institution
While these benefits are in the best interests of visa applicants, the regions also benefit greatly from regional migration.
The positive impact of migration into Australia’s regions is far-reaching. Migrants bring cultural diversity and much needed skills required to fill labour shortages in the regions; however, one of the greatest benefits of migration into the regions is the demand it creates on the local community.
By living in regional areas, migrants create a higher demand for products and services. This in turn supports local employment and helps promote growth within the regions.
Migration is fundamental to regional growth in Australia. Support and encouragement of regional migration will help strengthen and promote prosperity in Australia’s regions.
To learn more about regional migration or any aspect of migration, contact the team of experienced registered migration agents at Visa Solutions Australia. Book a consultation.
