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Studying in regional Australia can add 5 valuable points to your skilled migration application. These points can make the difference between receiving an invitation or waiting months longer. But not all regional study qualifies.
This guide explains how to claim regional study points correctly, which areas count as regional, and what documents you need.
What Are Regional Study Points?
Regional study points reward applicants who complete their Australian qualifications outside major cities. The Australian Government introduced this incentive to encourage skilled migrants to settle in regional areas.
You can claim 5 points if you meet all four requirements:
- You have a degree, diploma, or trade qualification from an Australian institution
- The qualification meets the Australian study requirement
- You lived in a regional area while studying
- You studied on campus, not through distance education
These 5 points add to your total score in the points test for Subclass 189, 190, and 491 visas.
Australian Study Requirement Explained
Before you can claim regional study points, your qualification must first meet the Australian study requirement.
This means your course must be:
- CRICOS registered
- At least 2 academic years (92 weeks)
- Completed in Australia
- Taught in English
You must have held a valid visa that allowed you to study during this time. Bridging visas also count if they permitted study.
The course can be a single qualification or multiple qualifications that total 2 academic years. For example, a Diploma followed by a Bachelor degree can combine to meet this requirement.
Which Areas Count as Regional?
The definition of regional Australia changed in November 2019. Understanding which areas qualify is critical for claiming these points.
Three Categories of Areas
The regional framework divides Australia into three categories:
Category 1: Major Cities (No Regional Benefits)
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Brisbane
These cities do not qualify for any regional incentives.
Category 2: Cities and Major Regional Centres
- Perth
- Adelaide
- Gold Coast
- Sunshine Coast
- Canberra
- Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
- Wollongong and Illawarra
- Geelong
- Hobart
These areas qualify for regional benefits, including the 5 points for regional study.
Category 3: Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas
All other locations in Australia outside the major cities fall into this category. These areas also qualify for regional study points.
Perth and Adelaide might surprise you. Although they are capital cities, the Australian Government classifies them as regional for migration purposes.
Requirements for Claiming Regional Study Points
You need to meet four specific conditions to claim the 5 points.
1. Hold a Qualifying Qualification
Your qualification must meet the Australian study requirement. This can be:
- Trade qualification
- Diploma
- Bachelor degree
- Master degree
- Doctoral degree
The qualification does not need to relate to your nominated occupation. You can study accounting and nominate as an engineer if both meet skills assessment requirements.
2. Study at a Campus in a Regional Area
The campus where you attended classes must be located in a Category 2 or Category 3 area.
If your university has multiple campuses, the location of your specific campus matters. Studying at a regional campus of a metropolitan university still qualifies.
For example:
- University of Melbourne has a campus in Shepparton (regional)
- Deakin University has campuses in Geelong and Warrnambool (both regional)
- Griffith University has a campus on the Gold Coast (regional)
Check the postcode of your campus against the Department of Home Affairs regional postcodes list.
3. Live in the Regional Area
You must have lived in the regional area while studying. The Department requires evidence of your residence during your course.
Time spent in major cities does not count toward this requirement. If you lived in Sydney but studied in Wollongong, you cannot claim the points.
Acceptable evidence includes:
- Rental agreements or lease documents
- Utility bills (electricity, gas, water)
- Phone or internet bills
- Bank statements showing your address
- Statutory declarations
Provide evidence covering the full duration of your study period.
4. Complete On Campus Study
Distance education does not qualify for regional study points. You must have physically attended classes at the regional campus.
Online courses completed while living in a regional area do not meet this requirement. The study must be delivered on campus in person.
How to Prove Your Regional Study
When you apply for your skilled visa, you need to provide evidence of your regional study.
Academic Records
Submit one of these documents:
- Academic transcript showing your campus location
- Completion letter from your institution
- Testamur (graduation certificate)
The document should show which campus you attended. If it does not specify the campus, request a letter from your institution confirming the campus location.
Residence Evidence
Provide documents proving you lived in the regional area during your studies:
Strong Evidence:
- Rental agreements covering your study period
- Property rates notices
- Home loan documents
Supporting Evidence:
- Utility bills with your name and address
- Bank statements
- Phone or internet bills
- Employment payslips showing your address
- Medicare or health insurance records
Aim to provide evidence from throughout your study period, not just at the start and end.
Common Mistakes to Avoid for Regional Study Claims
Many applicants lose their 5 points due to simple errors. Here are the most common mistakes:
Claiming for Ineligible Campuses
Some applicants study at a Sydney or Melbourne campus and incorrectly claim regional points. Always verify your campus postcode against the official list.
Insufficient Residence Proof
Providing only one or two documents is not enough. The Department expects evidence spanning your full study period.
Including Distance Education
Completing part of your course online or through distance education disqualifies the entire qualification. Your study must be 100% on campus.
Wrong Qualification Duration
Your course must meet the 92 weeks requirement. Some 1.5 year masters degrees fall short. Check your CRICOS weeks before claiming.
Confusing Study Location with Current Residence
Where you live now does not matter. What matters is where you lived while studying.
Combining Regional Study with Other Points
Regional study points combine with other factors in the points test. Strategic planning can maximize your score.
Australian Study Requirement Points
You can claim both:
- 5 points for Australian study requirement
- 5 points for regional study
These are separate categories. Completing a 2 year course in Adelaide gives you 10 points total from study.
Professional Year Programs
Professional Year programs in IT, Engineering, and Accounting add 5 points. These programs are available in regional areas like Adelaide and Perth.
You can claim:
- 5 points for Australian study
- 5 points for regional study
- 5 points for Professional Year
This totals 15 points from education and training.
Partner Skills Points
If your partner also studied in regional Australia, their qualification can strengthen your partner skills claim. Partner skills add 5 to 10 points depending on their qualifications and English level.
Regional Study and State Nomination
Regional study can improve your chances of state nomination.
Some states give preference to applicants who studied locally. South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory often prioritize their own graduates.
Subclass 190 (State Nominated)
State nomination adds 5 points. Combined with regional study points, this gives you 10 extra points.
Subclass 491 (Regional Provisional)
Regional nomination adds 15 points. This visa requires you to live and work in regional Australia for 3 years before applying for permanent residence.
If you studied in the same state or territory, your nomination chances improve significantly.
Post Study Work Visa Benefits for Regional Graduates
Regional study offers benefits beyond migration points.
International students who complete their qualification at a regional campus can access an additional Temporary Graduate visa. This extends your time in Australia.
Additional Time on Post Study Visa
Category 2 Graduates: One extra year on a second Temporary Graduate visa
Category 3 Graduates: Two extra years on a second Temporary Graduate visa
To qualify, you must:
- Have graduated from a regional campus
- Lived in a regional area on your first Temporary Graduate visa
- Meet all other visa requirements
This extra time allows you to gain more Australian work experience, which adds up to 20 points to your skilled migration application.
Frequently Asked Questions About Regional Study
Can I claim points if I studied part-time?
Yes, if you meet the 92-week requirement and have lived in the regional area during your studies. The 2 academic years can take longer than 2 calendar years for part-time students.
What if my campus moved from regional to metropolitan?
The classification at the time you studied determines eligibility. Keep evidence of your campus location during your study period.
Do I still need to live in the regional area when I apply?
No. You can claim the points regardless of where you currently live. The points reward past regional study, not current residence.
Can I claim points for multiple qualifications?
If multiple qualifications combine to meet the 2 year requirement and were all completed in regional areas, you can claim the points once.
Does my occupation need to relate to my qualification?
No. Your qualification does not need to relate to your nominated occupation for the regional study points. However, it must relate to your occupation for skills assessment purposes.
How Regional Study Affects Your Migration Timeline
Adding 5 points to your score can significantly reduce your waiting time for an invitation.
Competitive Scores in 2025-26
Most occupations need 80 to 90 points for Subclass 189 invitations. Even healthcare workers often need 75 to 80 points.
Every additional 5 points moves you up in the queue. In competitive occupations, these points can reduce your wait by several months.
State Nomination Advantages
Regional study makes you more attractive to state governments. States prefer applicants who already understand their local communities and job markets.
South Australia and Tasmania especially value their own graduates when selecting candidates for nomination.
Is Regional Study Right for Your Migration Plan?
Regional study suits applicants who:
- Need extra points to reach competitive scores
- Want longer post study work rights
- Prefer lower living costs while studying
- Are willing to settle in regional areas initially
Consider these factors before committing to regional study:
Advantages:
- 5 points toward skilled migration
- Extended post study work visa
- Lower living costs than major cities
- Better state nomination chances
- Less competition for jobs in some fields
Considerations:
- Fewer course options than major cities
- Smaller job markets in some occupations
- Less public transport in smaller towns
- Distance from major airports
Getting Professional Help for Regional Study Claims
Claiming regional study points requires careful documentation and understanding of requirements.
Our MARA registered migration agent at Think Higher Consultants helps applicants:
- Verify campus eligibility before enrolling
- Collect proper residence evidence
- Prepare strong visa applications
- Maximize total points through strategic planning
Many applicants lose points due to documentation errors. Professional guidance ensures you claim everything you are entitled to.
Related Migration Pathways
Understanding your complete migration options helps you make informed decisions:
- Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190 – State nomination for permanent residence
- Skilled Work Regional Visa Subclass 491 – Regional provisional visa pathway
- General Skilled Migration Program – Complete overview of 189, 190, and 491 visas
Improving Your English for More Points
English proficiency is often the “make or break” factor in a points-based application, potentially adding up to 20 points to your total. However, the strategy for achieving these points changed significantly following the Department of Home Affairs update on August 7, 2025.
The new 2026 scoring standards moved away from a uniform “79 in all sections” model for Superior English.
While the targets for Listening (69) and Reading (70) have actually become more accessible, the requirements for Writing (85) and Speaking (88) have increased.
This shift reflects Australia’s focus on “productive skills”—your ability to communicate effectively in a professional workplace.
PTEClass.com offers specialized preparation for the PTE Academic test. Better English scores combined with regional study points create a strong application.
Key Takeaways for Regional Study Points
Regional study adds 5 points when you meet all requirements. To qualify:
- Complete at least 2 academic years at a CRICOS institution
- Study at a campus in a regional area (Category 2 or 3)
- Live in the regional area during your studies
- Attend on campus classes, not distance education
Keep detailed evidence of both your study location and residence. These documents prove your eligibility when applying for your visa.
Regional study not only adds points but also provides:
- Extended post study work rights
- Better state nomination prospects
- Lower living costs during your studies
- Experience with regional Australian communities
Combined with other point scoring factors, regional study can move your application from borderline to competitive.
Plan your migration pathway carefully. Consider how regional study fits with your occupation, skills assessment timeline, and state nomination options.