OFFICIAL: Perth is now a regional area for migration

It’s official: Perth has been announced as a regional area for migration purposes! There are talks that the Gold Coast will be included too, but there is no official confirmation yet.

According to the WA Government, this will come into effect on November 16th and it is a strategy to improve the State´s capacity to attract international students and support its economy.

Migrants committed to living and working in the regions for 3 years will be able to apply for Permanent Residency (provided, of course, they meet all other requirements for the visa category they apply for). International students who complete their higher education in Perth will also become eligible for an additional year under the post study stream of the Graduate Skilled Visa (subclass 485).

Immigration Minister David Coleman announced that the allocation for regional places in the immigration scheme will be increased from 23,000 to 25,000 this year.