Designated regional areas in Australia
Most of Australia outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane is a designated regional area for migration. Home Affairs splits these areas into Category 2, 'Cities and Major Regional Centres', and Category 3, 'Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas'.
Updated
The categories
| Category | Regional for the 491 and 494 | Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Major city (Category 1) | No | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane |
| Category 2, 'Cities and Major Regional Centres' | Yes | Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, Wollongong and Illawarra, Geelong, Hobart |
| Category 3, 'Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas' | Yes | All other areas, by postcode |
Home Affairs publishes the postcode list for every category.
Most of Australia outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane is a designated regional area for migration (Home Affairs, checked 4 October 2026).
The categories
| Category | Areas | Regional visas (491, 494)? |
|---|---|---|
| Major cities | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane | No |
| Category 2: Cities and Major Regional Centres | Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong, Hobart | Yes |
| Category 3: Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas | All other areas outside the major cities | Yes |
Incentives by category (Home Affairs)
- Category 2:
- priority processing of regional visas;
- the Regional Occupations List;
- 1 extra year on a post-study work visa for bachelor or higher graduates of a regional campus.
- Category 3:
- the same, plus the dedicated regional places;
- 2 extra post-study years;
- priority in negotiating Designated Area Migration Agreements.
- Points:
- 15 points for a 491 nomination or sponsorship;
- 5 points for study completed in a designated regional area (with the Australian study requirement).
Check an exact address
Home Affairs publishes the postcode list on its designated regional areas page.
Common questions
What is a designated regional area?
It is the area Home Affairs defines by postcode for regional visas and incentives. Most of Australia outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane is included.
Is Perth regional for the 491?
Yes. Perth is in Category 2, 'Cities and Major Regional Centres'.
Is Adelaide regional for visa purposes?
Yes. Adelaide is in Category 2, 'Cities and Major Regional Centres'.
Which visas use the designated regional areas?
Home Affairs lists the 491, 494 and 489 as regional visas, and also applies the postcode list to the 189 and 190 (regional study points), the 186 (nomination fee waived for regional positions), the 187, the 482, the second 485, and the 888 and 892 business visas.
What incentives do regional areas get?
Home Affairs lists priority processing of regional visas, access to the Regional Occupations List and extra post-study work time for regional campus graduates (1 year in Category 2, 2 years in Category 3). Category 3 also has the dedicated regional places and priority for Designated Area Migration Agreements.