On November 16 2019, The Australian Government in a bid to encourage development of regional areas, made changes to Skilled Visa program.  The move also to attract international students to live and study in designated Regional areas. Most locations of Australia outside major cities (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) are classed as designated regional areas for migration purposes.

Cities like Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra , Geelong, Hobart are now under Cities and Major Regional Centers. Rest of the areas are now classified as Regional areas and other Regional areas.

The main advantage for international students studying in a Regional centre are:

1. If you live and study in one of these Regional Areas for at least two years, you can gain an extra 5 points on the Immigration Points Tests, which may increase your chance of PR in Australia.
2. International graduates with a bachelor or higher qualification from a regional (Regional cities) campus of a registered institution will be eligible to access additional1 year in Australia on a post-study work visa
3. International graduates with a bachelor or higher qualification from a regional campus of a registered institution will be eligible to access an additional 2 years in Australia on a post-study work visa.
4. Increased points for regional state nomination.
5. Not to mention the cheap cost of living.