Top Regional Universities in Australia That Offer Bonus PR Points

08-Jul-2025

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Study Abroad

Top Regional Universities in Australia That Offer Bonus PR Points

Australia is one of the most popular study abroad destinations for Indian students due to its quality education, multicultural environment, and post-study opportunities. While many international students aim for universities in cities like Sydney and Melbourne, regional universities in Australia are gaining popularity. One major reason? Bonus Permanent Residency (PR) points.

In this blog, we will explain how studying in a regional area helps you in your PR journey and list the top regional universities in Australia that offer world-class education plus bonus PR benefits.

What Are Regional Areas in Australia?

The Australian Government has classified all areas outside of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane as regional for immigration purposes. This includes popular student cities such as:

Adelaide (South Australia)
Perth (Western Australia)
Gold Coast (Queensland)
Hobart (Tasmania)
Canberra (ACT)
Darwin (Northern Territory)

Why Choose a Regional University?

Here are the key benefits of studying at a regional university:

Extra PR Points: You can gain 5 to 15 additional PR points if you study and live in a regional area.
Longer Post-Study Work Visa: Students in regional areas may receive an additional 1 or 2 years on their Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485).
Lower Cost of Living: Compared to cities like Sydney, regional areas are more affordable.
Relaxed Lifestyle: Students enjoy a peaceful, friendly environment with smaller class sizes.
Strong Job Demand: Many regional cities have skills shortages, which means more job opportunities in fields like nursing, engineering, teaching, and IT.

Top Regional Universities in Australia Offering PR Benefits

1. University of Tasmania (UTAS) – Hobart

Location: Hobart, Tasmania (Designated Regional Area)
Popular Courses: Marine Biology, Nursing, IT, Environmental Science
Why Choose UTAS:
- Affordable tuition
- Strong research output
- PR benefits for Tasmania graduates

PR Advantage: Graduates can apply for the Tasmanian Graduate Visa Stream, which is a fast-track PR option.

2. James Cook University (JCU) – Townsville & Cairns

Location: Queensland (Regional)
Popular Courses: Medicine, Marine Science, Public Health, Education
Why Choose JCU:
- Strong reputation in tropical research
- Excellent support for international students

PR Advantage: Eligible for Regional Occupation List and extended post-study work rights.

3. Charles Darwin University (CDU) – Darwin

Location: Northern Territory (Regional)
Popular Courses: Engineering, Accounting, IT, Social Work
Why Choose CDU:
- Strong government support
- Scholarships for international students
- Low cost of living

PR Advantage: The Northern Territory nomination scheme is highly supportive of international graduates.

4. University of New England (UNE) – Armidale

Location: New South Wales (Regional)
Popular Courses: Agriculture, Business, Education, Health Sciences
Why Choose UNE:
- One of Australia's oldest regional universities
- Known for online and distance education
- Small class sizes, good faculty interaction

PR Advantage: Studying here adds points for Regional Study and Occupation-based PR pathways.

5. Federation University – Ballarat, Gippsland, Berwick

Location: Victoria (Regional Campuses)
Popular Courses: Nursing, IT, Business, Engineering
Why Choose Federation:
- High graduate employability
- Affordable tuition
- Campuses are all in designated regional areas

PR Advantage: Extended Temporary Graduate Visa for eligible students.

6. Southern Cross University – Lismore, Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast

Location: New South Wales & Queensland (Regional)
Popular Courses: Education, Business, Environmental Science, Nursing
Why Choose SCU:
- Focus on sustainability and real-world learning
- Good placement support

PR Advantage: Eligible for Skilled Work Regional visas (subclass 491).

7. Central Queensland University (CQUniversity) – Rockhampton, Bundaberg

Location: Queensland (Regional)
Popular Courses: Engineering, Hospitality, IT, Allied Health
Why Choose CQU:
- Strong partnerships with industries
- Work-integrated learning programs
- Scholarships for Indian students

PR Advantage: Pathways to Skilled Nominated visas with state nomination.

8. University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) – Toowoomba, Springfield

Location: Queensland (Regional)
Popular Courses: Engineering, IT, Education, Psychology
Why Choose UniSQ:
- Practical, industry-focused programs
- Strong online learning model

PR Advantage: Additional PR points and long-term career options in Queensland.

9. Edith Cowan University (ECU) – Perth

Location: Western Australia (Now classified as regional)
Popular Courses: Cybersecurity, Nursing, Performing Arts, Education
Why Choose ECU:
- Recognised for research excellence
- Great student services and multicultural campus

PR Advantage: Perth's new regional status grants bonus PR points and extended work visa rights.

10. University of Canberra – Canberra

Location: Australian Capital Territory (Regional)
Popular Courses: Public Health, Political Science, Data Science, Law
Why Choose UC:
- Close links with government agencies
- Great for policy-related studies

PR Advantage: ACT’s nomination program supports international graduates for PR pathways.

How Regional Study Boosts Your PR Points

The Department of Home Affairs awards bonus points under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program:

5 points for studying in a regional area for at least 2 years
10–15 points for state or territory nomination
Extra time on Temporary Graduate Visa for regional graduates

This gives students a better chance of meeting the PR score requirement for permanent residency.

How Pollster Education Can Help

At Pollster Education, we help you:

Choose the right regional university based on your career goals
Understand PR pathways through state nominations and occupation lists
Get help with SOP, visa documents, and scholarships
Apply for loans for studying abroad
Plan your migration journey from student to PR

We are your trusted study abroad consultant in Mumbai, guiding you from start to finish.

Studying in a regional university in Australia is a smart choice if you’re aiming for both quality education and a strong chance at permanent residency. With affordable living, bonus visa perks, and job opportunities in growing cities, regional Australia offers a winning package.

Get expert guidance from Pollster Education to make the most of your international study experience.