From 16 November 2019 regional will be defined as any area excluding Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Important change: Perth and Gold Coast are classified as regional areas. Regional areas include Perth, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Lake Macquarie, Illawarra, Geelong, Newcastle, Wollongong, Adelaide, Hobart and Canberra.
Below is a list of the Regional and Low Population Growth Areas of Australia for Immigration purposes.
The list is relevant for those nominated by a state or territory government for the Skilled Regional (Provisional) Subclass 489.
On grant of your visa, you must live in such an area for 2 years and work there for 12 months to qualify for permanent residence through the Skilled Regional Subclass 887 visa.
State/Territory | Postcodes Included |
New South Wales except Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong |
2311 to 2312 2328 to 2411 2420 to 2490 2536 to 2551 2575 to 2594 2618 to 2739 2787 to 2898 |
Queensland except the greater Brisbane area and the Gold Coast |
4124 to 4125 4133 4211 4270 to 4272 4275 4280 4285 4287 4307 to 4499 4515 4517 to 4519 4522 to 4899 |
Victoria except Melbourne metropolitan area |
3211 to 3334 3340 to 3424 3430 to 3649 3658 to 3749 3753, 3756 3758 3762 3764 3778 to 3781 3783 3797 3799 3810 to 3909 3921 to 3925 3945 to 3974 3979 3981 to 3996 |
Western Australia except Perth and surrounding areas |
6041 to 6044 6083 to 6084 6121 to 6126 6200 to 6799 |
South Australia | Entire State |
Tasmania | Entire State |
Northern Territory | Entire Territory |
Australian Capital Territory | Excluded |
Select a state below to see it’s requirements:

Australia
State and territory requirements
Each state and territory has its own list of occupations, requirements and processes you must follow.
More information about the requirements and processes on how Australian states or territories nominate applicants is available.