✓ Registered Nurse · SA 190 · 75 pts · granted 3 days ago📡 TAS ran a 491 round · Chefs invited · cutoff 65 pts · March 18⏱ 190 visa processing · NSW · now averaging 11 months📊 Accountant EOI pool · 15,240 active EOIs · up 340 this month⚠️ SA Talent stream · reopened March 20 · limited places✓ Software Engineer · ACT 491 · 80 pts · granted 5 days ago📡 189 Round 3 · 2026 · expected Jan-Mar 2026⏱ 485 visa fee · $4,600 from 1 March 2026✓ Electrician · QLD 190 · 65 pts · granted 1 week ago📊 Registered Nurse EOI pool · 2,100 active EOIs · Tier 1✓ Registered Nurse · SA 190 · 75 pts · granted 3 days ago📡 TAS ran a 491 round · Chefs invited · cutoff 65 pts · March 18⏱ 190 visa processing · NSW · now averaging 11 months📊 Accountant EOI pool · 15,240 active EOIs · up 340 this month⚠️ SA Talent stream · reopened March 20 · limited places✓ Software Engineer · ACT 491 · 80 pts · granted 5 days ago📡 189 Round 3 · 2026 · expected Jan-Mar 2026⏱ 485 visa fee · $4,600 from 1 March 2026✓ Electrician · QLD 190 · 65 pts · granted 1 week ago📊 Registered Nurse EOI pool · 2,100 active EOIs · Tier 1
+20 pts
The most powerful combined points boost available to students
Regional Study Bonus Explained
Study at a regional institution (+5 pts) then get regional nomination for 491 visa (+15 pts). Together that is a 20-point advantage over someone who studied in Sydney or Melbourne.
+5
Australian Study Requirement (Regional)
Added to your DHA points score if you completed at least 2 years of study at a CRICOS-registered institution in a regional area of Australia. This bonus stays on your points score permanently once earned.
Requirements:
✓ 2 academic years minimum at regional institution ✓ CRICOS-registered course ✓ Physically in regional area during study ✓ Claimed in your EOI
+15
491 Regional Nomination
Added to your effective points score when a state or territory nominates you for the 491 regional visa. This is the single biggest points boost in the entire DHA system. Requires living and working in regional Australia for 3 years then you can apply for 191 PR.
Requirements:
✓ State or territory nominates you ✓ Eligible occupation on MLTSSL ✓ Skills assessment required ✓ Must live regional 3 years after grant
Combined total
+20 points
+5 regional study + +15 regional nomination = 20 point combined advantage over a metro student with the same profile
See the Difference for Your Profile
Your base points (age + English + education + partner)
Your occupation
Studying at a regional institution?
Eligible Regional Institutions — Where to Study for the +5 Bonus
These institutions are in areas that qualify for the regional study bonus. All are CRICOS-registered. Rankings and quality vary — this list is for visa eligibility purposes, not academic ranking.
Institution
Location
State
+5 pts eligible
University of South Australia
Adelaide (all of SA is regional)
SA
✓ Yes
Flinders University
Adelaide, SA
SA
✓ Yes
University of Adelaide
Adelaide, SA
SA
✓ Yes
University of Canberra
Canberra, ACT (all of ACT is regional)
ACT
✓ Yes
Australian National University
Canberra, ACT
ACT
✓ Yes
University of Tasmania
Hobart (all of TAS is regional)
TAS
✓ Yes
Charles Darwin University
Darwin (all of NT is regional)
NT
✓ Yes
University of Newcastle
Newcastle, NSW
NSW
⚠️ Check postcode
University of Wollongong
Wollongong, NSW
NSW
✗ Metro excluded
Charles Sturt University
Wagga Wagga, Bathurst (regional NSW)
NSW
✓ Yes
Federation University
Ballarat, VIC
VIC
✓ Yes
La Trobe University — Bendigo campus
Bendigo, VIC
VIC
✓ Yes
James Cook University
Cairns / Townsville, QLD
QLD
✓ Yes
Central Queensland University
Rockhampton, QLD
QLD
✓ Yes
Curtin University — Regional campuses
Kalgoorlie, Busselton, WA
WA
✓ Yes
University of Notre Dame — Fremantle
Fremantle, WA
WA
⚠️ Check postcode
Always verify: Regional eligibility is determined by the specific campus postcode, not the university name. A university with multiple campuses may have some regional and some metro campuses. Check the official DHA regional postcode checker before enrolling specifically for this bonus.
The Hidden Bonus — Second 485 Visa for Regional Study
This is one of the most underused advantages in the Australian migration system. If you studied at a regional institution and hold a Post-Higher Education Work (485) visa, you may be eligible for a SECOND 485 visa adding 1–2 additional years in Australia.
What it gives you
+1–2 extra years
On top of your original 2–3 year 485 visa. More time to build points and work experience.
Who qualifies
Regional study
Must have completed at least 1 academic year in a regional area of Australia (not limited to 2 years).
Practical example: A nursing student who studies at University of Tasmania (Hobart) for 3 years: gets +5 regional study points permanently, qualifies for a second 485 (extra 1–2 years), is eligible for TAS 491 regional nomination (+15 pts) AND has access to TAS state nomination (one of the most accessible in Australia). Total potential points advantage over a Sydney student with identical academic results: 20+ points.
Best States for the Combined +20 Points Strategy
South Australia — Best overall for most occupations
Rank #1
All of SA including Adelaide is regional-eligible. UniSA, Flinders and University of Adelaide all give +5 regional study bonus. SA 190 at 65 pts. SA 491 at 65 pts. Accepts accountants — which NSW/VIC will not. Large South Asian community. Lower cost of living than Sydney/Melbourne. This is the single best state for most Pakistani and Indian students.
ACT (Canberra) — Best for IT and government roles
Rank #2
All of ACT is regional. ANU and University of Canberra give +5 regional study bonus. Strong tech sector (government IT). ACT 491 processes fast (3–6 months). Canberra has the lowest unemployment in Australia. Best city for government IT and cybersecurity professionals.
Tasmania — Fastest processing, healthcare focus
Rank #3
All of TAS is regional. University of Tasmania gives +5 study bonus. Weekly nomination rounds (fastest of any state). 65 pt cutoff. Must live in TAS for 6–9 months first. Best for healthcare, teaching and IT professionals wanting the fastest possible PR timeline.
See your full PR plan with the regional bonus included