Several students who have studied in Australia later wish to pursue a career and also settle in the country. This blog is for those looking to settle in Australia while contemplating their options to study in the regional parts of the country.
If you are seeking permanent residency in Australia then enrolling in a study program provides a good start to this opportunity. However, some of you might be confused about whether to go for the big city life in Australia or the quiet life in its regional counterparts. Though both have their benefits and disadvantages, regional Australia provides a more favourable learning environment for students.
Why should I study in regional Australia?
As a student, it really depends on your preference. If you want to go for the quiet life of regional cities or the big city life in Australia, the choice is yours entirely. For those who want to understand their options, here are a few reasons to help you weigh your decision when it comes to regional Australia.
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Affordable lifestyle
One of the biggest advantages of studying in regional Australia is that the cost of living there is quite affordable. Everything is less expensive compared to the cities starting from accommodation to transportation. You can even stay in a luxury apartment for as little as $1000 per month in small cities like Townville. So you can manage a comfortable lifestyle even with minimum finances.
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Cutting out the commute
In regional Australia, you can live close to the main streets without emptying your bank balance. Even if you live a little further away from Australia, a maximum of 20-30 minutes commute is sufficient. In big cities, almost half of your day will be spent travelling stuck in traffic jams. As a student, if a large part of your day is spent commuting, you will hardly be left with any energy to study. Also, you can save a lot on the parking fee in regional cities.
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Good employment opportunities
Australian regional cities also offer a diverse range of job opportunities today like the big cities. Starting from hospitality to healthcare to agriculture, there are employment opportunities in almost every sector. An added advantage of seeking a job in regional cities is that the competition here is much lower as compared to the big cities. In regional cities, it is also easier to network and build professional connections that can improve your chances of landing a job.
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Migration incentives for regional study
If you choose to study in regional Australia, the Australian Government will also offer you added incentives like an extra one or two years to a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa. The amount of scholarships will depend on the regional area you reside in for your study program. You can even earn points on the Skilled Migration points test that help you obtain long-term visas. When you get your degree from a regional Australian institution and live in a regional area, you get extra five points apart from the points you get for getting a degree from Australia in general.
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Access to special scholarships
Studying in regional Australia also makes you an eligible candidate for multiple scholarships. The Australian Government offers significant amounts of funding to study in regional Australia. The Destination Australia Program is the biggest program for international students. The recipients get up to $15,000 in funding per year.
Also, there are many regional universities in Australia, along with TAFE and VET providers that provide their institution-specific scholarships. You can learn in detail about these scholarships by browsing through your education provider’s website.
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Relaxed Lifestyle with City Facilities
Though regional Australian cities will provide you with almost all the modern facilities and amenities, you can still enjoy a peaceful and relaxed vibe in regional areas. There is much less humdrum, and you can enjoy the natural beauty of Australia like beaches, hiking trails, waterfalls, rainforests, etc. You can take refreshing study breaks amidst nature and go for weekend adventures.
What are some of the best regional Australian Universities to study?
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Griffith University
Griffith University is a 40-year-old university that has maintained its position as the 37th university on the Top 50 under 50 years list in 2020. It is situated in South East Queensland. Queensland is a great city to live in for students as it offers a diverse range of employment opportunities to students, being the 3rd largest economy in the world.
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James Cook University (JCU)
It is the second oldest and most highly reputed university in Queensland, Australia. It ranks in the top 2% of universities worldwide and has won several awards. It is also ranked in the top 30 universities in Australia. The main areas of focus include Medicine, Dentistry, Marine Science, Nursing, Arts, and Society. Queensland is a culturally diverse and welcoming city for students from abroad.
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University of Tasmania
The University of Tasmania has a vibrant, modern campus life and is a perfect choice if you want a unique, adventurous university life experience. It is the fourth oldest university, and has over 35,000 students, and is highly reputed for its academics and extracurricular activities. Some of the popular programs here are Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science and Bachelor of Agricultural Science. Tasmania will offer you a relaxing environment, beautiful landscapes, and a rich and welcoming culture. You can also enjoy attractions such as the Salamanca market, museums, and art galleries.
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Federation University
Though it is a small university, the academic courses offered are of high quality, and it is quite a progressive institution. They train the students to be competent for employment after graduation. They teach highly in-demand, practical industry skills to their students. They also offer great placement facilities to their students by accommodating over 30 companies such as IBM.
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Charles Sturt University
If you consider studying in NSW then Charles Sturt University has regional campuses in Wagga Wagga or Orange, Albury-Wodonga, and Bathurst. Each institute has a unique set of facilities and features to offer students. For instance, the Albury campus has a strong environment focus with course options including Environmental Science, Health and Education. On the other hand, Bathurst offers study options like Nursing, amongst other courses.
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La Trobe University
La Trobe University is located in regional Victoria, including a wide range of courses like Health or Science, Education, IT, and Business. La Trobe has regional campuses located in Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Mildura and Shepparton.
Also, the Federation University has a strong network of regional campuses like Wimmera, Ballarat, and Gippsland. You will discover their extensive course range including undergraduate and post-graduate options in Commerce, Arts, Health, Education, IT and Accounting.
Regional Australia is an educational hub for students across the world for all the opportunities it offers. Feel free to reach out to our experts to guide you on moving from city life to regional Australia.