Australia has recently launched new visa pathways to encourage migration to regional areas — rural towns and small cities that are facing severe labor market shortages. Foreign workers are expected to drive local economic growth by contributing their talent towards local businesses or establishing new businesses in these areas to generate new job opportunities in Australia.

While most immigrants prefer to work in metropolitan cities such as Melbourne, Brisbane or Sydney, there are a number of inviting and well-developed cities in regional areas offering unique advantages to job seekers who have the required skills, qualifications and experience. Some benefits of working in regional Australia include:

Job Prospects: There are more job vacancies available in regional areas, in a broader range of occupations than are in-demand all across Australia.

Rewarding Immigration Pathways: The new Subclass 491 and 494 visas have been designed specifically for foreign skilled workers to move to regional Australia. These are essentially the equivalent of an Australia work permit. These pathways offer temporary residence for up to five years. Eventually, the worker can also become eligible to apply for permanent residence.

Entrepreneurship: Those looking to instantly or eventually set up their own business in Australia will appreciate the appeal of regional areas. Community-based businesses thrive because of the highly engaged workforce in rural and small-town Australia, resulting in higher customer satisfaction and low employee turnover. There is greater room for innovation owing to lower facilities costs, and various financial subsidies and incentives for investment offered by local government bodies.

Well-Connected Transport System: Regional Australia is not entirely disconnected from the metropolitan lifestyle. The smooth roads allow for short trips to the nearest town or city via varied means of transport — buses, trains, or cars. Airports are prevalent at most regional centres, and have regular flight schedules.

Work Remotely: Jobs in foreign countries like Australia can be performed without having to work in an office environment. Thus, people living in regional areas can enjoy the serene natural environment while simultaneously working high-octane jobs remotely. This is possible due to technological advancements across the world, and the excellent telecom infrastructure in regional Australia.

Enhanced Lifestyle: Since regional areas do not have an inflated population or the competitive job market, the pace of life is more leisurely — allowing for greater involvement in community activities. The healthcare and education facilities are government-sponsored, which is an assurance of quality.

Foreign workers must consider the ample scope for employment and career development in regional areas. To understand which areas qualify as ‘regional’, and then identify suitable employers in these areas, aspirants can seek the assistance of an online job portal or international recruitment agency. Exploring options in these lesser-known locations will prove to be an extremely rewarding experience for overseas professionals seeking job opportunities in Australia.