Why Regional Australia Could Be Your Fastest Path to PR

Almost everywhere outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane is classified as regional for migration purposes. This includes:

• - Major regional cities: Gold Coast, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong
• - All of South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory
• - Regional NSW, VIC, QLD, WA

Yes — Perth, Adelaide, and the entire Gold Coast are "regional" for visa purposes. You don't have to live in the outback.

The subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visa gives you 15 extra points — that's the single biggest points boost available. If you score 50 points on your own (which most skilled workers can), 50 + 15 = 65, and you're eligible.

Compare this to the 190 (state nomination) which only gives 5 extra points. The 491 is three times more generous.

Regional occupation lists are much broader than the national list. Many occupations that aren't eligible for the 189 or 190 are available for regional visas. This includes:

• - Marketing professionals
• - Web developers and designers
• - Real estate agents
• - Hospitality managers
• - Fitness instructors
• - Many more trade occupations

Each state publishes its own regional occupation list. A migration agent can help identify which states are currently nominating your occupation.

The 491 is a provisional visa (5 years). After living and working in regional Australia for 3 years and earning above the income threshold (~$53,900/year), you can apply for the subclass 191 permanent visa.

This is a genuine pathway — not a dead end. Thousands of 491 holders transition to permanent residency every year.