Guides / Subclass 491 / Regional Areas

Regional Areas for 491

SUBCLASS 491 DESIGNATED REGIONAL AREAS

Most of Australia is considered regional! Only Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane CBDs are excluded. This guide explains what areas qualify and where you can live and work on a 491 visa.

What is Regional Australia?

Great News: Over 95% of Australia by area is classified as regional. This includes major cities like Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, and hundreds of other cities and towns.

Areas EXCLUDED (Not Regional)

Only these specific areas are NOT considered regional for the 491 visa:

  • Sydney: Sydney CBD and inner suburbs (postcodes 2000-2234)
  • Melbourne: Melbourne CBD and inner suburbs (postcodes 3000-3207)
  • Brisbane: Brisbane CBD and inner suburbs (postcodes 4000-4207)
Important: The exclusions are relatively small areas. Many Sydney suburbs, outer Melbourne, and outer Brisbane ARE regional and qualify for 491!

Major Cities That ARE Regional

All of these major cities are fully classified as regional Australia:

State Capitals (All Regional)

  • Perth, WA: Entire metropolitan area ?
  • Adelaide, SA: Entire metropolitan area ?
  • Canberra, ACT: All of ACT ?
  • Hobart, TAS: All of Tasmania ?
  • Darwin, NT: All of NT ?

Major Regional Cities

  • Queensland: Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Toowoomba, Mackay
  • New South Wales: Newcastle, Wollongong, Central Coast, Coffs Harbour, Wagga Wagga
  • Victoria: Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Mildura
  • Western Australia: Bunbury, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Broome
  • South Australia: Mount Gambier, Whyalla, Port Augusta

??? Living in Regional Australia

What You Can Expect

City Type Examples Population Features
Large Regional Cities Perth, Adelaide, Canberra 500k-2M+ All amenities, universities, hospitals, airports
Medium Cities Gold Coast, Newcastle, Geelong 200k-700k Urban facilities, good job markets
Small Cities/Large Towns Ballarat, Cairns, Toowoomba 50k-200k Regional centers, hospitals, shopping
Towns Various rural towns 5k-50k Community-focused, lower costs

?? Advantages of Regional Living

Cost of Living

  • Housing: 30-60% cheaper than Sydney/Melbourne
  • Rent: Significantly lower ($300-500/week vs $500-800/week)
  • Daily expenses: Food, transport, childcare all more affordable
  • Lifestyle: Spacious homes, backyards, better quality of life

Employment Opportunities

  • Skill shortages: High demand for skilled workers
  • Less competition: Easier to secure jobs
  • Career growth: Faster progression opportunities
  • Diverse industries: Healthcare, mining, agriculture, tourism, education

Lifestyle Benefits

  • Community: Tight-knit, welcoming communities
  • Safety: Lower crime rates
  • Environment: Closer to nature, beaches, mountains
  • Work-life balance: Shorter commutes, more family time

Checking if an Area is Regional

Official Postcode Tool

The Department of Home Affairs provides an official postcode search tool to check if your intended location is regional:

  • Visit the official Home Affairs website
  • Search for "Regional Australia postcode search"
  • Enter the postcode of your intended location
  • Tool confirms if it's designated as regional
Pro Tip: Always verify using the official postcode tool before committing to a location. Regional classifications are based on postcodes.

Can You Move Between Regional Areas?

Yes! You can live and work in ANY designated regional area in Australia while on your 491 visa. You're not restricted to the state that nominated you (though you should initially settle there).

Flexibility:

  • Can change jobs within regional areas
  • Can relocate to different regional cities/towns
  • Can work in multiple regional areas
  • Just must maintain regional residence

??? Popular Regional Destinations

Top Choices by State

Western Australia:

  • Perth: Capital city, 2M+ population, beaches, vibrant economy
  • All of WA is regional - extensive opportunities

South Australia:

  • Adelaide: Capital city, 1.3M population, festivals, wine regions
  • Most accessible state for 491 nominations

Australian Capital Territory:

  • Canberra: National capital, 450k population, government jobs, universities
  • High salaries, excellent services

Tasmania:

  • Hobart: Capital city, 240k population, beautiful nature
  • Entire state is regional

Queensland:

  • Gold Coast: 680k population, beaches, tourism industry
  • Sunshine Coast: 330k population, lifestyle paradise
  • Cairns: 170k population, tropical climate, tourism

Victoria:

  • Geelong: 280k population, 1 hour from Melbourne
  • Ballarat: 110k population, historic gold rush city

New South Wales:

  • Newcastle: 320k population, beaches, universities
  • Wollongong: 300k population, coastal city
  • Central Coast: 340k population, between Sydney and Newcastle

?? What You Cannot Do

  • ? Live in Sydney CBD: Inner Sydney postcodes are excluded
  • ? Live in Melbourne CBD: Inner Melbourne postcodes are excluded
  • ? Live in Brisbane CBD: Inner Brisbane postcodes are excluded
  • ? Work remotely from non-regional areas: Your residence must be regional

Tips for Choosing Your Regional Area

  1. Research job market: Check job availability in your occupation
  2. Cost of living: Compare housing and daily costs
  3. Climate preference: Tropical, temperate, or Mediterranean
  4. Community size: Large city vs small town lifestyle
  5. Services needed: Schools, hospitals, cultural activities
  6. State nomination: Which states are nominating your occupation

After Getting PR (191 Visa)

Freedom After PR: Once you receive permanent residence through the Subclass 191 (after 3 years on 491), you can live and work ANYWHERE in Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane!

Ready to Continue?

Now that you understand regional areas, let's look at the documents you'll need for your application!

Next: Requirements ?