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We have been frequently asked by many overseas students “Should I study in a regional area or in the city in Australia?” So we went and explored various aspects of studying in the regional towns and city area.  Let’s look at the pros and cons of studying in regional Australia and the city:

What are the Regional Areas in Australia?

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Regional Australia is referred to as any area outside a metropolitan area.

Australian government is simplifying the definition of Regional Australia for various visa purposes. From November 2019, Regional Australia will include all of Australia except:

• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Brisbane

This means some cities (like Gold Coast, Perth, Canberra, Newcastle, and Wollongong) previously considered as cities will be included in the list of regional areas.

For migration purposes, the Department of Home Affairs has divided the whole of Australia into three main categories:

• Major Cities
• Cities and Major Regional Centres
• Regional Areas and Other Regional Centres

In this table below, we try to make it easier for the students to understand the new regional areas from 16th November 2019 and the benefits they can access when studying in these areas.

Definition	Locations	Benefits
Major cities	– Sydney – Melbourne – Brisbane	– No access to any regional area incentives
Cities and major regional centres	– Perth – Adelaide – Gold Coast – Sunshine Coast – Canberra – Newcastle – Lake Macquarie – Wollongong – Illawarra – Geelong – Hobart	– Priority processing on regional visas. – Access to the Regional Occupations List – more jobs compared to non-regional lists. – International graduates with a bachelor or higher qualification from a regional campus of a registered institution will be eligible to access additional year in Australia on a post-study work visa
Regional centres and other regional areas	– Rest of Australia	– Priority processing on regional visas. – Access to the Regional Occupations List – more jobs compared to non-regional lists. – International graduates with a bachelor or higher qualification from a regional campus of a registered institution will be eligible to access additional 2 years in Australia on a post-study work visa – Priority in negotiating region-specific Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs).

Source: Licensed from the Commonwealth of Australia under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.

The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the content of this publication.

Why the Australian Government made these changes?

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As regional areas are generally less populated areas, that’s why the Australian Government is promoting and getting more people to move out in those areas.

It will not only help to build up those areas but also help to meet the shortage of the skills needed in the regional areas.  

These changes will also mean that there will be less pressure on major cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane that has got a growing population. 

Universities in regional areas

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• Australian Capital Territory

Australian National University – Canberra

University of Canberra –  Canberra

Australian Catholic University –  Canberra

• New South Wales

Charles Sturt University – Wagga-Wagga, Port Macquarie, and Albury

Southern Cross University – Lismore and Coffs Harbour

University of Wollongong – Wollongong

University of New Castle – New Castle

The University of New England – Armidale

• Northern Territory

Charles Darwin University – Darwin

• Queensland

University of Sunshine Coast – Sunshine Coast

Central Queensland University – Rockhampton, Cairns, Gladstone, Noosa, Townsville, Emerald, Mackay, Bundaberg

James Cook University – Townsville

University of Southern Queensland – Toowoomba

Bond University – Gold Coast

Griffith University – Gold Coast

Southern Cross University – Gold Coast

• South Australia

Flinders University – Adelaide

University of Adelaide – Adelaide

University of South Australia – Adelaide

Carnegie Mellon University – Adelaide

Central Queensland University –  Adelaide

• Tasmania

University of Tasmania – Hobart, Launceston, and Burnie

• Victoria

Australian Catholic University – Ballarat

Deakin University – Geelong and Warrnambool

Federation University – Ballarat

Latrobe University -Bendigo, Shepparton, and Wodonga

• Western Australia

The University of Notre Dame – Broome & Fremantle

University of Western Australia – Perth

Curtin University – Perth

Murdoch University – Perth

Edith Cowan University – Perth

Central Queensland University – Perth

City Area

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Pros

Facilities

Australian cities are some of the most liveable cities in the world. The universities in the metropolitan areas are world-class and well known for their education, campuses, and facilities like libraries, computer labs, science labs, etc. 

Lots of options for studying

There are thousands of courses that you can choose when studying in the metro areas. Most of the universities, Tafe and private range of study options that you may not be able to find in some regional areas. 

Multicultural

Australian cities are very multicultural. You can see people from all walks of life, religions, backgrounds, and nationalities. Don’t get surprised if you bump into people from your home country. 

More job opportunities

With larger populations, comes a huge number of job opportunities. As most overseas students look forward to some part-time work during their study period, it becomes the crucial factor for deciding where to study in Australia.

Easily accessible transport

Australian cities are really well connected with the different modes of transport like trains, trams, buses, and ferries. Most of the cities have multiple modes of transport which make going from home to school or work really easy and you don’t need to buy a car to travel around the city.

Entertainment 

There are a large number of shopping centers, cinemas, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in the cities for your entertainment. Apart from them cities will also hold various events like festivals, sporting events, etc.

Cons

Crowded

As mentioned above, the main reason the Australian Government is trying to push students and migrants to move to regional areas is due to cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are getting overcrowded.

Population in these cities are booming which leads to congestion on the road, crowded public transport and shortage of rental properties.

Lots of competition

Although there are plenty of job opportunities available in the cities, there is stiff competition in the job market as most of the international students choose to study in city areas.  

No additional points for migration purposes

If you are aiming to get additional points for the migration purpose, then cities are not going to be much help. There are no extra points for studying in the metro area. 

Regional Area

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Pros

Extra points for migration

One of the main reasons international students choose to study in regional areas is the obvious benefit of getting 5 extra points. These 5 points can be vital when applying for your permanent residence.

Additional year on Post Study Work Visa

As announced by the Australian  Government, international students studying at regional universities will get one extra year of Post Study work visa. This visa allows the students to stay back in Australia after completing their studies for working full-time.

More Australian culture

You can see the real Tru-Blu Australian culture when leaving in regional towns. While Australian cities are very multicultural, Australian towns are opposite and have fewer migrants. You can get to see, live and experience the typical Aussie environment.

Relaxed lifestyle

The pace of life in Australian regional towns is much slower than the cities. People usually are not in a rush, so it might feel like you are on a vacation all the time. Even at work, people take a laid back approach and the workload is less stressful. 

Cost of living

As a matter of fact, the cost of living in regional towns are much less compared to the cities. For example, while the rent for a 1-bedroom apartment costs around $1360 in Adelaide and it costs $2602 in Sydney. 

Closer to Nature

If you like to bring closer to nature and love the outdoors, then studying in a regional area will be the best bet for you. Australia is a beautiful country with its very unique landscapes and wildlife.

Specialised courses

There are certain types of courses that are only available in regional areas. For example, the University of Tasmania’s Marine courses is the kind of one and only courses available throughout Australia.

Small class sizes

One of the key benefits of studying in a regional area is that class sizes are smaller as compared to cities. So, you get a personalised sort of education and its quite easy to build a relationship with your teachers and lecturers.  

Special scholarships

Australian Government has announced a special scholarship, Destination Australia, for international students studying in regional universities. This scholarship will provide $15,000  per year to the students studying programs from Certificate IV level to Doctoral degrees. 

Many universities also offer a variety of scholarships to attract more international students to study in the regional area. Make sure to enquire for scholarship before you apply for any course. 

Community Feeling

When there is less number of students studying in your course, you can easily build a bond with them. It also helps to settle into the study and living environment quickly. Since most students might be living in the same areas, it is easier to catch up with friends after uni. 

Cons

Fewer job opportunities

As most of the regional towns are smaller compared to larger cities, there can be a shortage of jobs in certain regional towns. As community aspect is really strong in regional areas, most of the employers prefer to give jobs to locals first.

Facilities 

Infrastructure, lack of funding and less number of students mean that facilities in the universities are not as fancy as they are in city universities. 

Lack of Public Transport

Public transport in regional areas is very limited. Usually, buses are the only mode of transport in regional towns with limited timetables. If you are not living close to university or work, then you will need to buy a car for your everyday commute. 

Entertainment is limited

Regional towns are nowhere close to as lively as cities are. Most of the shops and shopping centers will close early and fewer number of options are available for dining out and events.

Our Top 10 regional cities for studying in 2020

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Based on our research on various factors like: 

• Cost of Living
• Lifestyle
• Liveability
• Availability of reputed universities and courses
• Facilities
• Job opportunities

Our Top 10 Cities for studying in Regional Australia are:

1. Perth
2. Gold Coast
3. Adelaide
4. Canberra
5. Hobart
6. Wollongong
7. Newcastle
8. Darwin
9. Geelong
10. Cairns

Final Verdict

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While there are many pros and cons for studying in both regional and metropolitan areas in Australia, we suggest that you find one that meets your requirements well. 

Some of the factors you should consider when making the final decision about studying in Regional Australia or city are: 

• Your career goals
• Your financial situation
• Your preferred course
• Your lifestyle
• The reputation of the university or institution
• Cost of living
• Job opportunities

We hope this article helps you in making a better-informed decision for your career. 

Student exchange in Australia comes with plenty to organise. 

And so, when it does come to organising, budgeting should be number one on your priority list. Because, like all things in life, your student exchange is going to cost you!  

In which case, it’s time to take a look at what costs and fees you can expect as an exchange student in Australia.

Visa Application Fee  

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Caption: Student visas come with student visa fees!

First things first. If you plan on studying in the great big land of Oz, you’re going to have to apply for a Student Visa (Subclass 500). The base application fee is currently $575 AUD and applies to students within or outside of Australia. 

If you have family members planning to tag along, they also come at an additional cost. Additional application charges add $430AUD onto (your existing) application fee. And, for any underage family members, you’re looking at $140AUD. 

Health Examinations 

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Medical examinations are a standard procedure with any type of visa. And so, your student visa is not exempt from this visa “fact of life”. Fees depend on your home country and the kinds of examinations you are personally required to take. 

But, to give you a general idea, the basic medical examination in Australia ranges from $200 AUD to $300 AUD. You may have more costs added to this price depending on whether the My Health Declarations require you to take extra examinations.

Overseas Student Health Cover 

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Assuming you’re alive and well, the next thing is to make sure you stay healthy for the duration of your student exchange. This means you will need Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). 

The OSHC is mandatory if you want to shift your student visa from pending to approved.  The Australian Immigration Department requires you to have your OSHC policy in action from the moment you arrive in Australia…until the moment you leave. 

In terms of cost, your OSHC cover varies depending on what level of insurance cover you choose, how long you plan on staying in Australia, and which insurance provider you choose. 

Again, for a general idea, your standard OSHC policy costs roughly $480 AUD to $560 AUD per year. For a one-year standard OSHC policy, the main certified OSHC insurance companies in Australia include:

AHM: $486 per annum (each year)

NIB: $491 per annum (each year)

Bupa: $544 per annum (each year)

Medibank: $545  per annum (each year)

Allianz: $558per annum (each year)

Tuitions & Access To Genuine Funds 

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Caption: Organise your finances to get your student visa approved 

Now you can’t apply for student exchange if you’re not enrolled to study at an educational provider in Australia. So you’re going to have to start calculating in tuition fees. While tuition fees vary from one education provider to the next…a university semester in Australia costs $10,000-$20,000 on average.  

The Department of Home Affairs determines whether you have the funds to support your education (and living expenses) through its ‘Genuine Access To Funds’ assessment. 

In order to pass this assessment, you will need to show documentary evidence that you can actually pay for your student exchange in Australia. And you have a few official options to choose from:

Option 1 – Twelve Months Funds 

Evidence of funds for travel to Australia, 12 months living, and tuition:  

Flight Costs: $1,000 AUD-$3,000 AUD (depending on which part of the world your applying from). 

Living Costs: $20,290 AUD for students. Plus add an extra $20,290 AUD if you’re accompanied by a guardian, $7,100 AUD for a Spouse/Partner or $3,040 AUD for a child. 

Course Fees: Calculate the first 12months of your course fees (starting from the date you lodged your visa application). 

Option 2 – Annual Income: 

Evidence of sufficient annual income:

You must have a personal annual income of at least $60,000 AUD. And for those of you who are being accompanied by family members, the requirement is at least $70,000 AUD. 

The income you demonstrate must be either personal income from your spouse or parents. Or you can also negotiate for the total amount to be combined from a few people’s incomes. You will also need to provide official government documents such as tax assessment. 

Option 3 – Genuine Access To Funds: 

You and any accompanying family members must demonstrate you will have access to the funds while in Australia:

• When another person/business is providing funds: Show evidence of the relationship and any history of financial support, i.e identity documents.
• If relying on a financial deposit: explain any recent large deposits or ongoing deposits e.g. wages. 
• If you have an education loan: disbursement should be provided i.e. the loan terms and the full amount to be disbursed. 
• If you’re relying on another type of loan: show evidence of collateral used to secure a loan, terms of the agreement, and capacity to cover ongoing costs.

Student Accommodation

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Caption: Don’t forget student accommodation costs 

Next up on the list. How much is student accommodation going to cost you? Of course, this isn’t an additional cost. It’s part of the Genuine Access to Funds Options – 1) 12-Months Fund, 2) Annual Income, or 3) Genuine Access to Funds.

Still, it’s worth wrapping your head around what kinds of student accommodation options are available and their relative costs. 

Option 1: Host Family: 

Staying with an Australian host family is popular for students on a high school exchange, and less so for those on university exchange. Still, there are plenty of university students that can’t say no to a home-cooked meal!

Weekly Price Guide: $300 AUD for standard homestay package (including food, accommodation & utilities). 

 Option 2: University Accommodation: 

Always a great option for those students obsessed with all things uni life and having your university right at your doorstep. It tends to be on campus or right nearby.

Weekly Price Guide: $150-$400 AUD (Including utilities and communal areas, usually excluding wifi, furnishings, and food). 

Option 3: Off-Campus Student Accommodation: 

Purpose-built student housing is designed for international students wanting to experience student life without the “your university is your home” aspect of on-campus living. These sites tend to be located in central university districts and social hubs and filled with other international and domestic students. 

Weekly Price Guide: $200-$400 AUD (Including utilities, wifi, furnishings, laundry, pool, gym, & communal areas). 

Option 4: Renting: 

If you are all about independent living, renting your own apartment is about as independent is it gets. You get to choose your own apartment, the area you live, and the kind of people you flat with. Usually, it is not furnished and you also have to pay the utility bills as well.

Weekly Price Guide: $250-$400 AUD (not including food or utilities. And may or may not include furnishings)  

The English Test 

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Your English Language test costs more than just brainpower (Image 5)

To study in an English speaking country, as the logic goes, you need to have English language skills. Which means you will have to sit the IELTS or an equivalent English language test. And this testing comes at a cost. 

In all likelihood, you’ll be sitting the IELTS – the most widely respected and accepted English language certification in Australia. The IELTS test costs $340 AUD or $347 AUD where a GST payment applies.   

Police Clearance Certificate 

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Another annoying but necessary part of your student visa application is a police certificate. The Department of Immigration requires character clearance for international students entering the country. Price varies depending on which country you get your certificate. But, to give you a rough idea, it’s $42 AUD for a police check application in Australia.      

General Expenses

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General living expenses are entirely dependent on you! Excluding accommodation…your looking at about $50-$250 AUD per day for public transport, groceries and/or eating out, and maybe a bit of recreation or shopping. Of course, you can go far below or above this limit depending on how thrifty or luxurious your student lifestyle is.   

Takeaway Thoughts

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Your student visa application and student life in Australia is going to require some serious cash flow. In which case it’s time to knuckle down, get out your calculator, and start budgeting in your student exchange fees!