Regional migration · Tasmania
Regional Areas in Tasmania
Yes — Tasmania is regional for migration purposes, and that includes Hobart. The whole state is a designated regional area: Hobart is a Category 2 major regional centre and everywhere else — Launceston, Devonport and the rest of the island — is Category 3. That opens the 491 (15 extra points), the employer-sponsored 494, and the permanent 191 after three years.
By Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) since 2015 · WIDEN, Sydney · Reviewed August 2026
Keshab Chapagain · MARN 1576536 · Registered since 2015 - Rule
- All of Tasmania is regional
- Category 2
- Hobart
- Category 3
- All other Tasmania
- Key visas
- 491 · 494 · 191
The migration agent that other migration agents learn from. WIDEN is an OMARA-approved CPD provider — our training is rated ★4.8 by 40+ registered migration agents.
About the CPD →The rule in Tasmania
For skilled migration, every part of Australia is a designated regional area except Greater Sydney, Greater Melbourne and Greater Brisbane. Tasmania has no excluded city, so the entire state is designated regional — including Hobart. There is no metropolitan boundary to check against.
The qualifying postcodes are still set out in legislative instruments and reviewed by the Department, so confirm your workplace postcode on the Home Affairs regional postcodes page before relying on a regional pathway. Not sure about a town? Use the free checker.
Hobart — Tasmania’s Category 2 centre
Hobart is a Category 2 designated area ("cities and major regional centres"). A capital city with full regional status: living and working in Hobart qualifies for the 491 and 494, regional points, and the 191 pathway.
Category 3 — the rest of Tasmania
Everything in Tasmania outside Hobart is Category 3 ("regional centres and other regional areas"), which attracts the most generous settings, including priority processing. Centres include:
- Launceston, in the north
- Devonport, on the north-west coast
- The remainder of regional Tasmania
What regional status opens in Tasmania
- Subclass 491 — skilled work regional, via Tasmanian state nomination or family sponsorship; 15 extra points, 191 pathway after three years
- Subclass 494 — employer-sponsored regional, for any Tasmanian employer; three years of experience, a five-year visa, 191 after three years
- Regional study — extra points and extended post-study work rights for study at a regional campus, which in Tasmania means any campus in the state
- Subclass 191 — the permanent destination after three years of regional residence and work
Which of these fits depends on your occupation, points and circumstances — and no outcome can be guaranteed. If you want it settled in one sitting, book a consultation with Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) — $330 inc. GST, credited toward your engagement fee if you proceed.
Is my city regional? — TAS answers
One-page answers, with postcode, category and what the status opens, for the places people ask about most. Not listed? Use the regional checker.
Regional: Hobart · Kingston · Launceston · Devonport · Burnie · South Hobart · Dynnyrne · Mount Nelson · New Town · Lutana · Elwick · Chigwell · Glenlusk · Risdon Vale · Otago · Rosny · Rokeby · Sandford · Lauderdale · South Arm · Opossum Bay · Dulcot · Campania · Colebrook · Miena · Blackmans Bay · Taroona · Snug · Huntingfield · Grove · Cygnet · Franklin · Geeveston · Dover · Stonor · Baden · Strathgordon · Dee · Kettering · Birchs Bay · Flowerpot · Cambridge · Penna · Nugent · Copping · Marion Bay · Kellevie · Dunalley · Murdunna · Eaglehawk Neck · Taranna · Highcroft · Nubeena · Premaydena · Sloping Main · Koonya · Lake Leake · Conara · Nile · Fingal · Gray · Akaroa · Glen Dhu · Lefroy · Bell Bay · Wyena · Emita · Currie · Cape Barren Island · Relbia · Targa · Lisle · Branxholm · Bridport · Talawa · Banca · Lalla · Loira · Gravelly Beach · Legana · Hadspen · Carrick · Hagley · Liffey · Oaks · Liena · Railton · Nook · Harford · Leith · Howth · Luina · Somerset · Oonah · Mella · Gormanston · Queenstown · Strahan · Zeehan
Book 30 minutes with Keshab.
Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536), reads your situation with you and tells you which route fits, what it costs and what happens next.
Video consultation. A$330 inc. GST for 30 minutes, credited in full if you go ahead. Free questions are closed: advice on your own case is the consultation.
Book a consultation — A$330 inc. GST, credited In writing, no call — A$550
Need 60 minutes, or bringing a partner, employer or documents to go through? Extended consultation, A$550 inc. GST.
MARN 1576536 · practising since 2015 · contact details
Not sure which visa fits you?
Answer three questions. An automated guide points you to the route that usually applies. General information only.
Questions we get asked first
Is Hobart regional for migration purposes?
Yes. The whole of Tasmania, including Hobart, is a designated regional area for skilled migration. Only Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are excluded, so Hobart qualifies for the 491 and 494 regional pathways, the 15 bonus points on the 491, and the 191 permanent pathway.
Which category is Hobart in?
Hobart is a Category 2 designated regional area ("cities and major regional centres"). The rest of Tasmania — Launceston, Devonport and every other regional area — is Category 3, which attracts the most generous settings including priority processing.
Is Launceston regional?
Yes. Launceston is a Category 3 designated regional area. It qualifies for the 491 and 494, regional points, and the 191 pathway to permanent residence.
Which visas benefit from regional status in Tasmania?
The Subclass 491 (state nomination or eligible-relative sponsorship, 15 extra points), the Subclass 494 (regional employer sponsorship — three years of experience, a five-year visa), and the permanent Subclass 191 after three years of regional residence and work on either.
Does regional study in Tasmania earn extra points?
Study at a campus in a designated regional area can earn extra points and, for eligible graduates, an extended post-study stay. Because the whole of Tasmania is regional, that covers any Tasmanian campus. The campus location, not the institution’s head office, is what counts.
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