Reasons to choose regional Australia

According to Government data, Australia welcomed 186,000 skilled migrants in 2018, with nearly 70 per cent moving to Sydney or Melbourne. As city infrastructure struggles to meet the demands of unsustainable population growth, politicians have responded with changes to immigration policy. Noticeable changes include reduced skilled visa invitations, increased points requirements and the introduction of the 491 visa.

Consequently, more applicants are relying on state nomination to secure skilled visas, and regional Australia is becoming more attractive (and achievable) to expats.

With the changing dynamics of Australian cities and migration policy, migrants are encouraged to consider regional Australia as a serious resettlement option. There are an abundance of opportunities outside Australia’s major cities, and there are so many reasons to actively seek relocation to here. Below, you will discover some of the benefits of choosing Australia’s regional towns and cities.

1. Increased visa options – Applying under the new Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) subclass 491 Visa opens up more opportunity to migrants, such as:

• This visa will be accessible for more people; with over 500 new occupations eligible under the new 491 visa.
• To help meet the demand in regional Australia, 491 visa applicants will receive priority processing.
• Securing regional state nomination will allocate you 15 points towards your visa application. This is hugely beneficial considering the minimum points score to apply is 65.
• The Government is increasing the total number of regional places to 25,000.

1. Affordable homes – Regional Australia offers a vast amount of land and home for your money. If you are moving to Australia for a better quality of life then your living situation is a massive part of this. The reality is that the median house price in Sydney has not been less than $1 million since March 2015. So if you’re expecting a 4 bedroom house with a swimming pool as part of your Aussie dream, you may need to consider regional Australia.
2. Job opportunities – According to a 2019 report published by the Regional Australia Institute there are four key industries which are critical to regional Australia’s continued economic growth; food processing, tourism, advanced manufacturing and creative industries. These industries are set to continue the creation of extensive employment opportunities in rural towns and cities across Australia.

 

Moreover, the healthcare and social assistance industry is expected to be a major job contributor in most regional areas. The Gold Coast in Queensland, which has recently been specified as regional city, is projected to have the most growth in health care and social assistance jobs in Australia.

 

Employment rates across Australia continue to perform highly, with little difference between metropolitan and regional Australia jobless rates and expected growth. The Australian Government Employment Outlook to November 2019 projects regional job growth will increase by 8.5%, compared to 10.7% in metropolitan areas.

With increased visa options, strong jobs markets and affordable housing, creating a new life in regional Australia is an attractive option. As migration policy constantly changes, it is becoming more challenging to secure a skilled visa. Using the services of an experienced Registered Migration Agent can help ensure the success of your application, saving you time and money. To seek visa advice from Darren Chatt MARN:0211214, please complete our online visa assessment.211214, please complete our online visa assessment.