In Australia, the term "regional" includes a wide range of locations beyond the major cities of Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. So, the whole of Australia outside of these three cities is regional.
Major Regional Cities
Perth, WA: Population of 2,600,000
Adelaide, SA: Population of 1,400,000
Gold Coast, QLD: Population of 647,000 (just 80 km from Brisbane)
Canberra, ACT: Population of 490,000
Hobart, TAS: Population of 230,000
Darwin, NT: Population of 135,000
Other Notable Regional Areas
Sunshine Coast, QLD
Wollongong, NSW
Geelong, VIC
Ballarat, VIC
Bendigo, VIC
All cities with a population over 100,000.
Unique Regional Locations
Byron Bay, NSW: Known for its celebrity residents, such as the Hemsworth brothers, and relaxed lifestyle
Wine Regions: Including Margaret River (WA), Barossa Valley (SA), and Yarra Valley (VIC)
Smaller Remote Regional Locations
The definition of regional also includes small towns and remote locations such as:
Coober Pedy, SA
Oodnadatta, SA
Bourke, NSW
Marble Bar, WA
Skilled Occupations in Regional Areas
Contrary to the perception that regional areas only require agricultural workers, there is a consistent demand for various skills, including:
Healthcare: GPs, registered nurses, and carers
Education and Social Services: Teachers and social workers
Trades: Chefs, cooks, diesel mechanics, and hairdressers
Moving to a Regional Area?
If you're considering relocating to a regional area in Australia, it's essential to explore your visa options. Moving to regions with more shortages can potentially provide more opportunities, such as finding a sponsor in your occupation.
As the end of the financial year approaches, many changes are being made to the Australian immigration system. In this article, we will go through some of those changes.
The SA regional DAMA now includes 128 new occupations across various sectors, including construction, trade, agribusiness, ICT, health, education, and renewable energy.
Some occupations added are registered nurse in child and family health, registered nurse in disability and rehabilitation, winery worker (beneficial for South Australia's Barossa and Clare Valley), sheep farm worker, truck driver, bricklayer, and floor finisher. Truck driver is particularly notable as it was previously a restricted occupation but is now available for the entire state.
From 10 May 2024, the financial requirement for Student visa applicants will increase from AUD 24,505 to AUD 29,710.
For a spouse or de facto partner of the Student primary applicant, it will increase from AUD 8,574 to AUD 10,394.
For a dependent child, it will increase from AUD 3,670 to AUD 4,449.
The last increase happened in October 2023, and this new increase was not expected for this financial year.
Recent changes to Australian student visa and graduate visa programs signal a significant shift in the landscape of international education and post-study opportunities in the country. Starting from 23 March 2024, these updates include increased English language requirements and the introduction of the genuine student requirement.
TOEFL iBT is now accepted for all Australian visas
TOEFL iBT tests taken from 5 May 2024 are valid for Australian visas and migration purposes. The test must be taken at a secure test center, as the department does not currently accept online English tests.
End of the 476 Visa
As widely expected, the skilled recognized graduate 476 visa will permanently close from 1 July 2024. This is disappointing for many, but it was expected.
Graduate Visa Changes
The main change will be the reduction of the maximum eligible age from under 50 to 35 years and under, proposed to be implemented from 1 July 2024.
Exceptions include Hong Kong and British overseas national passport holders, who will be eligible up to the age of 50.
Other changes for the graduate visa include increasing the minimum English requirement and reducing the validity period for English tests from three years to just one year prior to the application date.
This means applicants may need to check and complete their English tests before applying.
The Australian Government published a paper discussing potential changes to the points test for the 189, 190, and 491 visas.
The review may alter the available points by removing and reducing factors and adding new ones.
Expected changes include reducing or removing points for regional study and NAATI-approved language.
Points for partners may increase, age points might be allocated on a gradual scale, and English points might also follow a more gradual scale.
New Core Skills Occupation List
Jobs and Skills Australia has opened a consultation about the Core Skills Occupation list.
This list will be for the Core Skills visa, designed to replace the 482 employer-sponsored visa with similar requirements.
The consultation categorizes occupations into three groups:
Confident On List – Occupations that Jobs and Skills Australia is certain should remain on the list.
Occupations such as Registered Nurse, Social Worker, Diesel Motor Mechanic, and IT Network Administrator are on the Confident On List.
Confident Off List – Occupations recommended for removal based on current labor market insights.
Occupations such as Cafe or Restaurant Manager, Cattle Farmer, ICT Project Manager, and Real Estate Representative are on the Confident Off List.
Targeted for Consultation – Occupations that require further input from stakeholders to determine their necessity and priority.
Occupations such as Chef, Cook, Finance Manager, Web Designer, Hairdresser, and Marketing Specialist are on the Targeted for Consultation List.
Will your occupation be on the new Core Skills Occupation List? Full article here.
VETASSESS Skills Assessment
VETASSESS is accepting new applications again for cook, diesel motor mechanic, and motor mechanic.
Some other trade occupations paused in 2023 are not yet accepted by VETASSESS.
State Nominated 190 and 491 Visas
Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory have already closed for expressions of interest. Other states and territories may close soon.
This was a summary of the main news in Australian immigration at the start of May 2024. If you need advice on your specific situation, please book an appointment.
Do you need help with an Australian visa application?
Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your visa application.
Based in Adelaide, South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.
The South Australia (SA) Regional DAMA and the Adelaide City DAMA have been both extended and expanded.
The SA Regional DAMA now includes 128 new occupations from various sectors including construction, trades, agribusiness, ICT, health, education, and renewable energy.
We submitted suggestions to the Government of South Australia to include certain occupations on the DAMA list. We welcome the inclusion of occupations such as Registered Nurse in Child and Family Health, Registered Nurse in Disability and Rehabilitation, Winery Worker, Sheep Farm Worker, and others on the list.
The 'Winery Worker' occupation is a valuable addition, especially since South Australia has a strong wine industry.
Other important occupations added to the list include Truck Driver, Bricklayer, and Floor Finisher.
This is excellent news for those seeking permanent residency pathways!
The annual nominations for the SA Regional DAMA have increased from 750 to 2000, valid until June 30, 2025.
Concessions
South Australia continues to offer age concessions up to 55 years, a 10% reduction in the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), and other concessions in English and work experience.
South Australia DAMA Occupation List
The SA DAMA comes under two agreements which list eligible occupations and concessions available:
Adelaide Innovation and Technology Agreement: the occupations are restricted to employers in the Adelaide Metropolitan region. The only concession that applies to these occupations is that they all have a pathway to permanent residency, and include an age concession.
South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement: includes some occupations eligible to employers in the whole of South Australia and some occupations eligible for employers only in the postcode range 5220 to 5734 (non-metropolitan SA). The agreement includes a range of occupation-specific concessions concerning:
Skills and experience
TSMIT
English
Age
Permanent pathway
Review the lists to see if your occupation is eligible and what concessions apply.
Do you need help with an Australian visa application?
In early 2023, regional migration visas in Australia were under a cloud of uncertainty. The Parkinson Report Migration, released in March 2023, failed to offer any guidance or support for regional migration options.
The final report suggests a recalibration of the skilled points test and even proposes the removal of points for regional study. It states, “In conjunction with this measure, existing regional concessions in mainstream permanent phases, such as additional points for regional study, could be removed to ensure those programs are strongly focused on selecting migrants who will best meet national economic objectives.”
Additionally, state nomination applications in Australia across all states were reduced by 70% from July 1, 2023, marking a significant downturn in the 2023-24 financial year.
However, early 2024 has seen positive developments in regional migration policy.
Migration Policy Developments 2024
Regional employer-sponsored nominations visas such as 482, 186, 494, and DAMAs are now the top priority in ministerial processing directives. This means they are processed above all others, including professions in teaching and health that were previously given high priority.
This shift demonstrates the Federal Government is encouraging migration to regional areas.
The new Skills in Demand Visa Australia includes an "Essential Skills" category visa for lower-skilled occupations, such as carers, with potential salaries below A$70,000. These visas aim to supply workers to regional areas for both caregiving and agricultural roles.
For the 2024 to 2025 financial year, skilled points visas, including the 189, 190, and 491 visas, will remain unchanged. The 491 Visa, designed for regional areas, continues to be available, dispelling rumors of its abolition in the Migration Review.
Several factors are at play, including a strong demand from industries and communities in regional Australia for migrants. Furthermore, the housing crisis has prompted the federal government to encourage migration away from Australia's largest cities, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.
How can Work Visa Lawyers help?
Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your potential application(s).
Based in Adelaide, South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.
For visa application assistance in Australia, you can book an appointment online or call us at (+61) 8 8351 9956.
South Australia (SA) offers many opportunities for skilled migrants. With 503 occupations listed on the SA Skilled Occupation List and four available streams, you may be eligible to apply.
South Australian Graduates Stream
International graduates who have selected South Australia as their study destination are given preference within the General Skilled Migration program.
The criteria to apply include:
Have completed your qualification at a South Australian education provider
A minimum of 50% of your qualification must have been completed in South Australia
Must have resided in South Australia for at least one year during your studies
Have been residing in South Australia for at least the last 12 months
Have been working for the last 6 months, and be currently employed, in a full-time (at least 30 hours per week) job that is relevant to your nominated occupation
