TL;DR — Studying at a regional Australian campus opens the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream (1 extra year in Category 2 areas; 2 extra years in Category 3 areas), adds 5 points at PR stage under the Australian Study Requirement, and unlocks the Skilled Regional Subclass 491 visa.
Choosing a regional Australian campus is one of the most under-used moves by Nepali applicants. Here is why it matters and how the regional categories work.
What regional Australia means for immigration
- Category 1: Major Cities. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane. Not classed as regional.
- Category 2: Cities and Major Regional Centres. Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong, Gold Coast and others.
- Category 3: Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas.
The authoritative postcode list is published on the Home Affairs website.
Second Post-Higher Education Work stream
- Category 2 study region: 1 additional year of open work rights.
- Category 3 study region: 2 additional years.
- Requires at least 2 years living in an eligible regional area immediately before the second visa application.
Additional points at PR stage
- 5 points for the Australian Study Requirement.
- 5 additional points for study at a regional institution.
- State or territory nomination (Subclass 190) adds 5 points.
- Regional nomination (Subclass 491) adds 15 points.
Skilled Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491
- A 5-year provisional visa granted through state / territory nomination or family sponsorship.
- Holders live and work in a designated regional area.
- After 3 years of meeting income and residence conditions, holders can apply for the Skilled Regional (Permanent) Subclass 191.
Trade-offs to consider
- Smaller labour markets outside Category 1.
- Fewer research supervision options at some regional campuses.
- Smaller Nepali diaspora outside major cities.
Key takeaways
- Regional Australia is defined by Home Affairs postcode categories.
- Regional study opens the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream (1 or 2 extra years).
- Study-region points add 5 to PR points on top of the 5 Australian Study Requirement points.
- Subclass 491 offers 15 nomination points and a 5-year provisional visa leading to permanent Subclass 191.
- For PR-focused Nepali applicants, regional is often the highest-return decision.
Important: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial or migration advice. Rules, points values, occupation lists and regional boundaries change; verify current guidance on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website and speak to The Next Education counsellors or a MARN-registered migration agent before taking any action based on this content.
Related resources
See our Study in Australia hub, Australia post-study work visa guide, PR-friendly courses in Australia, and Australia PR pathway.