5 Points for Regional Study: Skilled Visa Points Guide

Additional points for studying in regional Australia

You can claim 5 extra points in the skilled visa points test if you completed your Australian studies in a designated regional area.

Who can claim the 5 points

You have at least one degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution that meets the Australian study requirement.
You lived in, and studied at a campus in, a designated regional area while completing that qualification.
The study did not include distance education.
You meet these requirements at the time you are invited to apply.

Which visas the points apply to

What counts as regional Australia

Since 16 November 2019, regional Australia for these points means everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. It includes:

Cities and major regional centres: Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, Wollongong and Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart.
Regional centres and other regional areas: all other parts of Australia, including all of the Northern Territory.

See our designated regional area postcodes for the full list.

Other benefits of studying in a regional area

Graduates who studied and lived in a regional area can usually get an extra 1 or 2 years on the 485 Temporary Graduate visa through the second post-study work stream.
Regional study can strengthen a state nomination for the 190 or 491 visa, as many states prioritise their own graduates.

Common mistakes

Studying at a regional campus but living in a major city (both must be regional).
Counting a qualification that does not meet the 2 year Australian study requirement on its own.
Claiming the points for online or distance study.

If you would like assistance in applying for General Skilled Migration, you may wish to book a video consultation with one of our registered migration agents. They can assess your likely eligibility and explain the migration pathways which may be appropriate to your situation.

Regional areas at a glance

Category	Areas	Counts for regional study points?
Category 1: major cities	Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane	No
Category 2: cities and major regional centres	Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, Wollongong and Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart	Yes
Category 3: regional centres and other regional areas	All other parts of Australia, including all of the Northern Territory	Yes

Worked example

Priya completed a two year Master of Professional Accounting at a university campus in Hobart and lived in Hobart for the whole course. Her degree meets the Australian study requirement, so she can claim 5 points for Australian study. Because she lived and studied in a designated regional area, she can also claim 5 points for regional study, a total of 10 points from her studies. If she had studied the same course at a Melbourne campus, she could claim only the 5 points for Australian study.

You need at least 65 points to be invited for a 189, 190 or 491 visa, and invitations often go to people with higher scores, so 5 extra points can make a real difference. Check your score with our PR points calculator and see the full skilled visa points table.

Regional study points: frequently asked questions

Can I claim regional study points as well as Australian study points?

Yes. They are separate points test items. If your qualification meets the Australian study requirement you can claim 5 points for that, and if you also lived and studied in a designated regional area you can claim a further 5 points for regional study.

Do Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast count as regional?

Yes. Since 16 November 2019 these cities are Category 2 areas, which count as designated regional areas for the regional study points. Only Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane (Category 1) do not count.

Does online or distance study count?

No. Distance education does not count. You need to have studied at a campus in a designated regional area and lived in a designated regional area while you completed the qualification.

When do I need to meet the requirements?

You need to meet the requirements at the time you are invited to apply for the visa. Make sure your EOI only claims the points if your qualification has been completed and you can provide evidence of your address and campus during your studies.

Which visas can I claim the points for?

The regional study points are part of the skilled migration points test, so they apply to the 189, 190 and 491 visas. They do not apply to employer sponsored visas such as the 482 or 186, which do not use the points test.

Does regional study help with the 485 visa?

It can. Graduates who studied in a regional area and then live in a regional area while holding their first 485 visa may be able to apply for a second 485 visa, which gives extra time in Australia. The length depends on the category of the area. See our 485 visa page for the current rules.