What is Regional Australia ?
Regional Australia includes any town, small city, or area outside of Australia’s major capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Major regional centers include Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong, and Hobart.
When it comes to studying in Australia, most international students choose universities in major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, because these cities are home to many of the best universities in the country. Due to the concentration of businesses, these cities are more vibrant and technologically advanced than rural areas and offer better facilities and a wealth of part-time , full-time job opportunities for students.
Regional Australian universities On the other hand, they end up enrolling only local students from that region, as international students are not interested or motivated in studying in smaller towns and the countryside,
But things have changed gradually in recent years, as the government understands that Australia has placed itself among the best destinations for Bachelors, MBAs, MS, and Ph.D. students, but the majority of students are only studying in metropolitan cities, so in order to bridge the gap and diversify students in all Australia, they need to promote small area and country-side universities as well.
Now the government is offering exciting incentives to international students who enroll in regional Australian universities. These incentives provide better financial rewards for graduates while also earning them extra points that will increase their chances of obtaining permanent residency. So these types of incentives are gaining popularity among international students, and more and more students are enrolling in regional Australian universities.
We are aware that the first image you have in mind when you hear the word “regional area” is a small, dull town in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do that is exciting. No vibrant nightlife, no breathtaking natural areas, or in other words, nothing particularly noteworthy. which is not true at all. In fact, you might be surprised by what the Australian countryside has to offer. It provides wholesome experiences without sacrificing the high quality of education. There are many educational institutions with an international reputation, but depending on your personality and the kind of experience you seek, there are a tonne of other advantages as well.
There are many reasons why students should consider studying in regional Australia.
Here are ten of the most important benefits:
1 – Small Class Size :
Metropolitan universities are usually crowded as they attract the majority of local as well as international students, so it’s obvious to have large class sizes, which often result in a lack of individual attention from lecturers and tutors. On the contrary , universities in regional Australia offer small class sizes to their students. The smaller the class size, the better it helps to learn and understand the concepts . You will get the best personal tutoring experience from expert faculty in regional Australia.
2 – Beautiful University Campuses :
Regional Australian universities have one thing in common: their campuses are usually modern, with advanced infrastructure, and located in beautiful natural surroundings, providing a great and peaceful environment for study and recreation.
3 – Additional year for Post Study Work Visa Applicants:
One of the best things about studying in regional Australia is that, after completing your course at a regional university, international students can get full-time work rights for an additional year on a post-study work visa. For example , if you complete graduation from a metropolitan university, you’ll get 2-3 years of post study work visa, but when you complete the same course from a regional university, you’ll get one extra year on post study work visa .
4 – Low Cost of Living :
There is no doubt that Australia is one of the most expensive places to live in the world. When you come to Australia to study, you will most likely need to consider accommodation and day-to-day living expenses. The cost of accommodation in Australia varies depending on where you live. The cost of living in regional Australia is often cheaper than in major cities. Students save a lot of money on accommodation, and utilities. To give you a rough idea, if you study in major cities, your weekly expense will be around 750$ but if you decide to study in regional Australia, your weekly spending comes in at only 450-500$ so that’s a 1000 $ saving every month.
5 : Jobs and Economic Opportunities :
Many people prefer cities because they believe they offer more economic opportunities. However, there are indications that regional areas are now providing comparable, if not better, opportunities. The pandemic has shifted the Australian economy significantly, causing businesses, including large corporations, to relocate their operations to regional areas. All of these activities have resulted in increased economic growth and more job opportunities. Regional Australia, for example, saw a 13% increase in available jobs between 2019 and 2020, despite the pandemic. This trend has continued, and we anticipate even more growth in the future.
6 : An Opportunity to Explore Australia:
Australia has always been world-famous for its natural beauty. From the magnificent deserts, sandy beaches, and mountains to the wilderness and outback, there are places that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. The regional university campuses are away from the cities and possibly closer to these interesting destinations, which will improve your access to these exotic locations.
7: Specialized Courses Catering to Local Professions:
In addition to traditional and popular courses, regional areas offer courses that hold more relevance to the local professions, For example, university campuses in the coastal regions of New South Wales offer specialized courses in marine biology, while those in the wine-making regions of Adelaide offer special degree courses in wine-making. Furthermore, there are also several medical and dental schools that hope to train students and retain them to work in the respective regions. Regional Australia University gives you the opportunity to build a broad range of skills, which will give you greater career flexibility in the long term.
8: Scholarships
Universities offer a variety of scholarships to entice international students to attend universities in regional areas, but the most well-known is Destination Australia. For international students enrolled in various regional area universities, there is a AUD 15,000 scholarship available. It helps students enrolled in courses ranging from Certificate IV to Doctoral level. Universities also provide scholarships to students from abroad.
9: Improve Migration Options :
If you are an international student, points can be a great factor when applying for permanent residency, so when you enroll in a regional university, you will earn brownie points in regional areas. You can live and work in Australia. According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs, if you live and study in the designated areas, you will be granted 5 points toward Australian permanent residency.
10: Easy and stress free Lifestyle
In contrast to major cities, which are overcrowded, noisy, and offer many distractions, students in regional Australia live an easy and relaxed lifestyle. Many people prefer a relaxed lifestyle in Australia’s regional areas. These areas are not backward, but they do provide entertainment and healthcare. In some ways, the pace of life is slower here than in major cities. Besides, the population size is smaller and makes you feel part of a close-knit environment.
