Is My City Regional for Migration?
Check your city or town against the 2026 designated regional areas for skilled migration (491 / 494 / 191)
For skilled migration, every part of Australia is a designated regional area except Greater Sydney, Greater Melbourne and Greater Brisbane. That surprises many applicants — Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, the Gold Coast, Newcastle and Wollongong all count as regional. Type your city below to check.
Regional status of Australian cities & towns
A quick reference for 79 of the most-searched cities and towns (66 of them are regional). Not sure about a specific suburb? Use the rule above and confirm your exact postcode on the Department's regional postcode list.
NSW
| Sydney | Not regional |
| Parramatta | Not regional |
| Penrith | Not regional |
| Blacktown | Not regional |
| Liverpool | Not regional |
| Bankstown | Not regional |
| Newcastle | Regional |
| Wollongong | Regional |
| Central Coast | Regional |
| Wagga Wagga | Regional |
| Albury | Regional |
| Tamworth | Regional |
| Dubbo | Regional |
| Orange | Regional |
| Bathurst | Regional |
| Port Macquarie | Regional |
| Coffs Harbour | Regional |
| Lismore | Regional |
| Byron Bay | Regional |
| Armidale | Regional |
| Griffith | Regional |
| Broken Hill | Regional |
| Queanbeyan | Regional |
| Maitland | Regional |
VIC
| Melbourne | Not regional |
| Geelong | Regional |
| Frankston | Not regional |
| Dandenong | Not regional |
| Werribee | Not regional |
| Ballarat | Regional |
| Bendigo | Regional |
| Shepparton | Regional |
| Mildura | Regional |
| Warrnambool | Regional |
| Traralgon | Regional |
| Wodonga | Regional |
| Horsham | Regional |
| Wangaratta | Regional |
QLD
| Brisbane | Not regional |
| Ipswich | Not regional |
| Logan | Not regional |
| Gold Coast | Regional |
| Sunshine Coast | Regional |
| Cairns | Regional |
| Townsville | Regional |
| Toowoomba | Regional |
| Mackay | Regional |
| Rockhampton | Regional |
| Bundaberg | Regional |
| Hervey Bay | Regional |
| Gladstone | Regional |
| Mount Isa | Regional |
WA
| Perth | Regional |
| Bunbury | Regional |
| Geraldton | Regional |
| Kalgoorlie | Regional |
| Albany | Regional |
| Broome | Regional |
| Mandurah | Regional |
| Karratha | Regional |
| Port Hedland | Regional |
| Busselton | Regional |
SA
| Adelaide | Regional |
| Mount Gambier | Regional |
| Whyalla | Regional |
| Murray Bridge | Regional |
| Port Augusta | Regional |
| Port Lincoln | Regional |
| Victor Harbor | Regional |
| Gawler | Regional |
TAS
| Hobart | Regional |
| Launceston | Regional |
| Devonport | Regional |
| Burnie | Regional |
ACT
| Canberra | Regional |
NT
| Darwin | Regional |
| Alice Springs | Regional |
| Palmerston | Regional |
| Katherine | Regional |
Why "regional" matters: 491, 494, 191 & DAMA
Being in a designated regional area unlocks concessions that aren't available in the big three cities:
- 15 bonus points on the Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) points test.
- The Subclass 494 employer-sponsored regional pathway.
- A structured pathway to permanent residence via the Subclass 191 after three years.
- Access to occupations not available on metropolitan lists, and — in some areas — a DAMA with salary and English concessions.
For the full picture — postcodes, pathways and how regional migration accelerates PR — see our regional migration guide, or check your points with the points calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my city is regional for migration?
For skilled migration, every part of Australia is a designated regional area EXCEPT Greater Sydney, Greater Melbourne and Greater Brisbane. So Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong and the Central Coast all count as regional, along with all rural and remote areas. Use the checker above to look up your city, and always confirm your exact workplace postcode against the Department of Home Affairs regional postcode list before relying on it.
Is Perth regional for migration?
Yes. Perth is a designated regional area for skilled migration, even though it is a capital city — the whole of Western Australia is regional. Only Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are excluded. Living and working in Perth can attract the regional concessions, including 15 bonus points on the Subclass 491.
Is the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast regional?
Yes. The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast are both designated regional areas — they sit outside Greater Brisbane. In Queensland, only Greater Brisbane is excluded; the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Townsville and Toowoomba all count as regional.
What are the benefits of living in a regional area?
Regional areas open the Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) and 494 (Employer Sponsored Regional) visas, 15 bonus points on the 491 points test, access to occupations not on the metropolitan lists, and a structured pathway to permanent residence via the Subclass 191 after three years. Some regional areas also have a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) with concessions on salary and English.
Does the checker replace the official postcode list?
No. This is a plain-English guide at the city and town level. Designated regional areas are defined by postcode in a legislative instrument, and boundaries can change. Always verify your exact suburb or workplace postcode against the current list on the Department of Home Affairs website before making a decision.
This checker is general information at the city/town level, not migration advice, and does not replace the official postcode list. Designated regional areas are defined by legislative instrument and can change — verify your exact postcode with the Department of Home Affairs before making a decision. Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) only after a paid consultation under section 43 of the Migration Agents Code of Conduct.
Regional area, real pathway?
Living in — or moving to — a regional area can unlock the 491, 494 and a faster route to PR. Tell us your occupation and location and a registered migration agent will come back within one business day with the regional pathway that realistically fits. Free, no obligation.