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Regional Postcode Checker
Reviewed by Mohammad Saghir Khan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1170510)Last reviewed:
How to Use This Tool
For Australian visas, every area except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane is a designated regional area, split into Category 2 and Category 3. Choose the state and enter a postcode to see its category and what it means for the 491, 494 and 191 visas, regional study points and a second 485.
- Choose the state or territoryPick the state the address is in, because some postcodes cross state borders.
- Enter the postcodeType the 4-digit postcode of where you live, work or study.
- Read the categoryThe result shows Category 1 (not regional), Category 2 or Category 3, and what it counts for.
What You Will Need
- The postcode and state of the address
Understanding Your Result
- Category 2 or 3: a designated regional area for the 491, 494, 191 and regional study points.
- Not regional: a Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane metropolitan postcode.
When to Get Advice
- You plan to move or change jobs on a 491 or 494 visa
- Your campus and home are in different categories
- You want to compare state nomination options
Speak with a Registered Migration Agent: call 1300 919 717 or book a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain-English answers to the questions we are asked most often.
What is a designated regional area?
For migration, every part of Australia except the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane metropolitan areas. Designated regional areas are split into Category 2 (cities and major regional centres) and Category 3 (regional centres and other regional areas).
Is Melbourne a regional area for visas?
No. Melbourne is a major city (Category 1) and does not count for the 491, 494 or 191 visas. Victorian cities such as Geelong are Category 2, and Ballarat, Bendigo and other regional Victoria are Category 3.
Which cities are Category 2?
Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, Wollongong and Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart.
Why does the postcode matter?
Skilled Work Regional (491) and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494) visa holders must live, work and study only in a designated regional area. It also decides eligibility for the 5 regional study points and the extra years on a second Temporary Graduate (485) visa.
How many extra years does regional study give on a second 485?
Graduates who studied at a Category 2 campus and lived in a Category 2 or 3 area may get 1 extra year (2 years in Tasmania). Those who studied and lived in Category 3 areas may get 2 extra years. Study or living in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane does not qualify.
Are all of Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania regional?
Yes. All of these states, the Northern Territory and Norfolk Island are designated regional areas. Perth, Adelaide and Hobart are Category 2, and the rest is Category 3.
What if a postcode sits on the border of two states?
Choose the state the address is in. Some postcodes cover areas in more than one state, and the result depends on the state you select.
Does the checker save my searches?
No. The tool runs entirely in your web browser. What you enter is not sent to Aussie ASEAN, Home Affairs or anyone else, and we never ask for your passport number or ImmiAccount password.
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