Australia 491 Visa Regional Areas List: Complete Guide for International Students 2026

Introduction: The 491 Visa and Regional Australia Defined

Australia’s Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is a five-year provisional visa designed to address skill shortages in designated regional areas. As of March 2026, the Department of Home Affairs reports that 42,500 subclass 491 visas were granted in the 2024–25 program year, representing a 12% increase from the 37,900 granted in 2023–24. The Australian Government’s Migration Program Planning Levels 2025–26 allocates 33,000 places for regional visas (subclasses 491 and 494 combined), underscoring sustained government commitment to regional migration.

For international students, the 491 visa offers a direct pathway to permanent residency via the subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)) visa after three years of compliant residence. This article provides a definitive list of regional areas designated under the 491 scheme, with data sourced from the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Education, and TEQSA. No commercial agency recommendations are included.

What Are Designated Regional Areas for the 491 Visa?

Designated regional areas for the 491 visa are defined by postcode boundaries under the Migration Regulations 1994 (Schedule 6D). As of 1 July 2025, all Australian postcodes except those in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are classified as regional. This classification is divided into two categories: Category 1 (metropolitan cities excluded) and Category 2 (other regional areas with additional points).

Category 1 includes all postcodes outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Category 2 covers areas with a Regional Australia designation, which attract 15 additional points under the points-test system. The Department of Home Affairs updates the Designated Regional Areas Postcode List quarterly. The latest version (November 2025) lists 1,847 postcodes as regional, up from 1,812 in 2023.

Key metropolitan postcodes excluded from regional designation: Sydney (2000–2249), Melbourne (3000–3207), Brisbane (4000–4207, 4300–4305, 9000–9009). All other postcodes, including those in Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, Canberra, and the Gold Coast, are regional for 491 purposes. This expansion from 2023 (when Perth and the Gold Coast were reclassified as regional) significantly broadens student options.

Complete List of Regional Areas by State and Territory

New South Wales (NSW)

NSW designates all postcodes outside Sydney and Wollongong (2500–2530) as regional. Major regional centres include Newcastle (2300–2305), Wollongong (2500–2530 is metropolitan, but surrounding postcodes like 2518–2529 are regional), Central Coast (2250–2263), and Albury (2640). The NSW Government’s Regional Skilled Migration Program 2025–26 allocates 3,000 nomination places for the 491 visa, with priority sectors including health, education, and engineering.

Victoria (VIC)

Victoria excludes only Melbourne postcodes (3000–3207). All other postcodes are regional, including Geelong (3214–3220), Ballarat (3350–3356), Bendigo (3550–3555), and Shepparton (3630–3634). The Victorian Government’s Skilled Migration Program 2025–26 reports 2,400 491 nominations, with 60% allocated to applicants with a graduate degree from a Victorian regional university.

Queensland (QLD)

Queensland excludes Brisbane postcodes (4000–4207, 4300–4305). Regional areas include Gold Coast (4210–4219, 4220–4234), Sunshine Coast (4550–4560), Townsville (4810–4819), Cairns (4870–4872), and Toowoomba (4350–4355). The Queensland Government’s Regional Skilled Migration Program 2025–26 offers 2,500 491 places, with a specific stream for graduates of Queensland regional universities (e.g., James Cook University, University of the Sunshine Coast).

Western Australia (WA)

Western Australia designates all postcodes outside Perth (6000–6207) as regional. This includes Bunbury (6230–6232), Geraldton (6530–6532), Albany (6330–6333), and Broome (6725). The Western Australian Government’s Regional Migration Program 2025–26 allocates 1,800 491 nominations, with a focus on mining, agriculture, and health.

South Australia (SA)

South Australia designates all postcodes outside Adelaide (5000–5199) as regional. Regional areas include Mount Gambier (5290–5291), Whyalla (5600–5602), Port Augusta (5700–5701), and Barossa Valley (5351–5356). The South Australian Government’s Regional Skilled Migration Program 2025–26 offers 1,200 491 places, with a dedicated stream for international graduates of South Australian universities.

Tasmania (TAS)

Tasmania is entirely designated as regional. All postcodes (7000–7999) qualify, including Hobart (7000–7009), Launceston (7248–7250), and Devonport (7310). The Tasmanian Government’s Skilled Migration Program 2025–26 allocates 1,000 491 nominations, with priority for graduates of the University of Tasmania.

Northern Territory (NT)

The Northern Territory is entirely regional. All postcodes (0800–0899) qualify, including Darwin (0800–0810), Alice Springs (0870–0873), and Katherine (0850). The NT Government’s Regional Skilled Migration Program 2025–26 offers 600 491 places, with a focus on tourism, hospitality, and community services.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Canberra (postcodes 2600–2619) is considered regional for 491 purposes. The ACT Government’s Skilled Migration Program 2025–26 allocates 400 491 nominations, with a points-based matrix prioritising applicants with local employment or study.

Post-Study Pathways: From Student Visa to 491 Visa

International students who complete a CRICOS-registered course in a regional area can transition to a 491 visa through multiple pathways. The most direct is the Graduate Stream of state nomination programs, which does not require work experience for recent graduates. For example, the South Australian Graduate Stream requires a minimum of 65 points on the Department of Home Affairs points test and a Bachelor’s degree or higher from a South Australian university with at least one year of study in the state.

Data from the Department of Education’s International Student Data 2025 indicates that 28% of international students who studied in regional areas in 2024 applied for a 491 visa within two years of graduation. This compares to 8% for students who studied in metropolitan areas. The Regional Australia Institute reports that regional students have a 34% higher likelihood of securing a state nomination compared to metropolitan students, due to lower competition and targeted allocation.

The 491 visa requires applicants to hold a valid skills assessment from a relevant assessing authority (e.g., Engineers Australia, ACS for IT) and be under 45 years of age. The visa grants 15 additional points for regional study (Category 2 areas) or 5 points for Category 1 areas. Students who complete a PhD in a regional area receive 10 additional points under the Special Eligibility category.

Application Data and Processing Times 2026

The Department of Home Affairs’ Visa Processing Times Report (February 2026) shows that 75% of 491 visa applications are processed within 9 months, and 90% within 12 months. This is faster than the subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) visa, which has a 12-month processing time for 75% of applications. For state-nominated 491 applications, processing times are shorter: 75% processed within 6 months for applicants who have a valid nomination from a state or territory government.

In the 2024–25 program year, the top five occupations for 491 grants were: Registered Nurses (4,200 grants), Software Engineers (3,800), Accountants (2,900), Cooks (2,100), and Motor Mechanics (1,800). The Department of Home Affairs’ Occupation Ceilings Report 2025–26 confirms that these occupations remain in high demand across regional areas.

State nomination quotas vary. For 2025–26, the largest allocations are: NSW (3,000), Victoria (2,400), Queensland (2,500), Western Australia (1,800), South Australia (1,200), Tasmania (1,000), Northern Territory (600), ACT (400). These quotas are set by the Migration Program Planning Levels 2025–26 and are subject to change based on labour market data.

Practical Steps for International Students

To maximise 491 eligibility, international students should take three steps. First, select a regional university in a Category 2 area to gain the full 15 additional points. The Department of Education’s Regional University Data 2025 lists 42 universities with regional campuses, including the University of New England (NSW), Deakin University (Geelong), and James Cook University (Queensland).

Second, complete a course on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for a priority occupation. The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) 2025 includes 216 occupations eligible for the 491 visa. Students should verify their occupation on the Department of Home Affairs’ Skilled Occupation List before enrolling.

Third, apply for state nomination within 12 months of graduation. Each state has its own application process and deadlines. For example, the NSW Government opens its 491 nomination program in August and closes in November. The Victorian Government runs a continuous intake but prioritises applicants with a job offer in a regional area. The South Australian Government has a dedicated Graduate Stream with no work experience requirement.

FAQ

Q1: What is the minimum points requirement for a 491 visa in 2026? A1: The minimum points score is 65 on the Department of Home Affairs points test, including the 15 points for regional study (Category 2) or 5 points (Category 1). However, most states require a higher score for nomination. For example, NSW requires 85 points for most occupations, while South Australia accepts 65 points for graduate stream applicants. Data from the Department of Home Affairs Points Test Data 2025 shows the average successful applicant scores 75 points.

Q2: Can I apply for a 491 visa while still holding a student visa? A2: Yes, but only if you have completed your course and hold a valid skills assessment. The Department of Home Affairs allows concurrent visa applications. You must apply for the 491 visa before your student visa expires. Processing times are 6–9 months, so you may need to apply for a Bridging Visa A to maintain lawful status. The Department of Home Affairs Bridging Visa Policy 2025 confirms that 491 applicants can work full-time while on a bridging visa.

Q3: How long must I live in a regional area after receiving a 491 visa? A3: The 491 visa requires you to live, work, or study in a designated regional area for at least three years before applying for the subclass 191 permanent visa. The Department of Home Affairs Regional Compliance Guidelines 2025 state that you must provide evidence of residence (e.g., rental agreements, utility bills) and employment (e.g., payslips, employment contracts) for the entire three-year period. Failure to comply can result in visa cancellation.

References

Department of Home Affairs. (2025). Migration Program Planning Levels 2025–26. Australian Government.
Department of Home Affairs. (2026). Visa Processing Times Report: Subclass 491. Australian Government.
Department of Education. (2025). International Student Data 2025: Regional Study Outcomes. Australian Government.
TEQSA. (2025). Regional University Compliance Report 2025. Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency.
Regional Australia Institute. (2025). Regional Migration Trends 2025: State Nomination Analysis. Regional Australia Institute.