Greater Melbourne is not included in the list of designated regional areas. Consequently, three and a half years of study in Melbourne generates neither the 5 points for regional study nor eligibility for the regional extension of the Subclass 485 visa. Nor does simply moving to a regional area after graduation, on its own, create eligibility for a Subclass 491 visa; that visa depends on an invitation, State nomination or sponsorship by an eligible family member, together with skills assessment, age, English and points.
In conversation with Dr Sirous Ahmadi, Australian migration lawyer, MARN 0854826, this frequently asked question from Melbourne students was examined with legal precision. He explains that the starting point for any analysis is the Department of Home Affairs’ “designated regional area” postcode page together with the legislative instrument LIN 19/051. That list covers Category 2 (cities and major regional centres) and Category 3 (regional centres and other regional areas), and Greater Melbourne falls outside both categories.
On the well-known 5 points for regional study, Dr Ahmadi emphasises that these points are not earned by a short-term move to a regional campus. Under clause 6D.10 and item 6D101 of Table 6D, an applicant must satisfy all four requirements at the time of invitation, including meeting the Australian study requirement while simultaneously living and studying in a designated regional area, holding a visa permitting study throughout that period, and not breaching visa conditions. The policy logic is clear: the student must reside and study in that same regional area for the entire duration of the qualifying course.
The second scenario — completing a diploma and a degree in Melbourne and then spending a few months in a regional area until the next visa is granted — does not have the effect many people assume. The second stream of the Subclass 485 visa (Second Post-Higher Education Work – regional) is tied to the location of the educational institution: the qualification must be obtained from an institution located in a designated regional area, and the visa period depends on the regional location of that institution and of the area in which you lived during your first Subclass 485 visa. A Melbourne graduate does not benefit from this pathway.
As for the Subclass 491 visa itself, it is invitation-based, and before lodging you must already hold State nomination or sponsorship from an eligible family member. Only then do the entitlements follow: permission to live and work in designated regional areas for up to five years, and a pathway to permanent residence through Subclass 191 after three years. Dr Ahmadi highlights two key points. First, the Subclass 491 visa is granted with a condition requiring you to live, work and study only in a designated regional area, so planning to remain in Melbourne is incompatible with this pathway. Second, what is often described as “regional workforce priority” is in fact a State nomination criterion rather than a federal preference — for example, Victoria requires skilled employment with an employer physically located in regional Victoria, and a virtual office or nominal presence is not accepted.
Finally, Dr Ahmadi speaks with professional caution about reform of the points test for the Subclass 189, 190 and 491 visas: as at the date of this response, such reform has been raised publicly, but its details could not be verified against official sources — the Department of Home Affairs, the legislation, or MARA. It should therefore be treated as “announced but not yet legislated”, not as settled law. The right decision is one made on the basis of the postcode list, the requirements of Table 6D, and the nomination criteria of your intended State.
If your study journey has begun in Melbourne and your ultimate goal is a Subclass 491 visa, a dedicated consultation can clarify a realistic roadmap for you — from where you choose to study through to nomination requirements. Please contact the office of Dr Sirous Ahmadi for personal guidance.
This answer reflects the law and policy as verified on September 29, 2026. Immigration rules change frequently — confirm the current position before acting.
Dr. Sirous Ahmadi Registered Migration Agent 0854826
This article is general information only, current at the date shown, and is not legal advice. Do not rely on it for your own situation — immigration law and policy change frequently. Seek advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer about your circumstances.