🦘 Regional Universities in Australia and Why You Should Consider Them As Your First Choice

Regional Universities in Australia can be underrated among students laser focused on tier 1 cities such as Sydney or Melbourne. However, studying in regional universities in Australia can be very rewarding for international students.

If you are thinking of pursuing advanced education in Australia, studying in a regional area is an excellent option for you as an international student.

Currently, only the major cities of Australia are the point of attraction for international students. Because of lack of information, many students are unaware of the benefits of studying and residing in regional universities of Australia.

However, there are many perks if you opt for the regional universities of Australia!

What is a Regional University ?

Regional areas are those specific geographical areas that are part of the Australian territory, which the government promotes so that more people decide to move to live there.

Unlike large cities like Sydney, Brisbane, or Melbourne, these areas need more citizens since having a higher population index could enhance their development and progress.

The areas that the Australian government stipulates as regional areas are:

• The entire region of New South Wales, excluding Sydney.
• The entire region of Victoria except for the city of Melbourne.
• The entire Queensland region except for Brisbane.
• The entire region of Western Australia.
• The entire region of South Australia, including Adelaide.
• The entire region of Tasmania.
• The whole Northern Territory region.

Why study at the Regional Universities in Australia?

As an international student, you should remember that the Australian Government has been encouraging the students to reside and study in the regional territories of the country.

It could be beneficial for you, too, as you can obtain the following benefits if you decide to study at a regional Australian University:

1. By living in a regional area, your quality of life will be much better, since competition and demand will be less, so this will create higher earning opportunities for you.

2. Because of the low competition and low cost of living, your salary will be relatively higher than in any other big city.

3. In a regional area, you get a complete immersion in local life: your neighbors, co-workers, and most of the people you deal with will be 100% Australian, allowing you to learn the Australian culture faster.

4. Unlike large cities that are in constant movement, a regional area is characterized by being a small quiet city in which there is no chaos due to transportation and life is leisurely.

5. Students receive extra points towards their permanent residency application.

6. Students receive a longer PSW (post study work visa) if they graduate from a regional univerisity.

Top Regional Universities in Australia

Studying on the other side of Australia is an adventure. If you are up for such an adventure, then below is the list of these great regional universities in the country:

University of Tasmania

QS World Rankings: =307

The small island of Tasmania, which is home to the University of Tasmania (UTAS), offers an exciting basis for higher education for international students.

It traditionally offers a wide range of courses with unique subjects such as Antarctic Studies or Wilderness Management, especially in the natural sciences.

The university maintains research stations in Antarctica and many areas of Tasmania, which among other things, contribute to its ranking among the top ten research universities in Australia.
The three locations of the campus are Hobart in the south-east, Launceston in the north, and Burnie on the island's northwest coast. At all locations, the University of Tasmania offers a range of courses and plenty of opportunities to meet, for example, in sports clubs or other student groups and get to know other students.

Charles Darwin University (CDU) - Northern Territory

QS World Rankings: 601-610

Charles Darwin University (CDU) is a public university in Australia with its main campus located in Darwin and eight satellite campuses in metropolitan and regional areas.

It was established in 2003 after the merger of Northern Territory University, the Menzies School of Health Research, and Centralian College.

CDU offers over 40 flexible courses across various fields such as accounting, arts, business, communications and design, community services and social work, creative and performing arts, culinary arts and hospitality, education, engineering, exercise and sport science, hair and beauty services, health, humanitarian emergency and disaster management, humanities and social sciences, indigenous knowledges, IT and network engineering, languages and linguistics, law and legal studies, nursing and midwifery, pathway courses, primary industries, psychology, public health, science environmental science and management, tourism and trades.

CDU is identified by Times Higher Education as one of the ‘rising stars’ - a new generation of challenger universities quickly rising in world rankings.

University of Adelaide - South Australia

QS World Rankings: 89

The University of Adelaide has a long heritage of teaching and research. The university's particular strengths lie in the areas of agricultural sciences, biotechnology, economics, social sciences, and geosciences.

The main campus is directly between downtown and a spacious park area through which the Torrens River flows.

The University of Adelaide's three other campuses, Waite, Roseworthy, and Thebarton, are located outside the city, between 10 minutes and an hour from the center. Adelaide also has a lower cost of living than other major Australian cities and is known as the city of festivals.

Edith Cowan Univeristy (ECU) - Western Australia

QS World Rankings: 529

Edith Cowan University (ECU) is a public university in Western Australia with three campuses in Perth and one in Bunbury.

Established in 1991, ECU offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses across various fields such as arts and humanities, business and law, education, engineering, medical and health sciences, nursing and midwifery, science, and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. ECU is known for its industry-relevant teaching and research, supportive study environment, and award-winning facilities.

It has partnerships with many industry groups and offers work-integrated learning placement opportunities, fieldwork, practicums, and networking events as part of its studies.

ECU is Australia’s top public university for teaching quality.

Southern Cross University (SCU) - NSW, Queensland

QS World Rankings: 651-660

Southern Cross University (SCU) is a dynamic university with a vibrant and innovative research program that focuses on issues that are both regionally relevant and globally significant.

It has four campuses in Australia, three in Perth and one in Bunbury. SCU offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses across various fields such as arts and humanities, business and law, education, engineering, medical and health sciences, nursing and midwifery, science, and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

SCU is ranked among the world’s top 200 young universities by Times Higher Education1. SCU is known for its strong emphasis on research, community engagement, and providing a personalized educational experience for its students.

University of Southern Queensland (USQ) - Queensland

QS World Rankings: =410

The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) is a research-intensive regional university that provides high-quality degrees and produces Australia’s highest paid graduates.

Established in 1967, UniSQ has three campuses in Toowoomba, Ipswich, and Springfield. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses across various fields such as law, health, engineering, sciences, business, education, and the arts. UniSQ is ranked among the top 3% of universities worldwide.

It has a strong focus on research, teaching, and positive student experience. UniSQ provides high-quality flexible programs and is rated 5 out of 5 in Australia for graduate starting salary.

Murdoch University - Western Australia

QS World Rankings: =431

Murdoch University is a member of the IRU (Innovative Research Universities) group, so it attaches great importance to research topics directly connecting to real life. It often deals with current environmental management, natural resources, and biotechnology topics.
A particular highlight for Study Abroad students is the North-West Trip, which is offered every semester and leads along the breathtaking west coast. The compact main campus is about 20 minutes south of downtown Perth and easily accessible by public transport.

James Cook University - Queensland

QS World Rankings: =415

James Cook University was established in 1970; the university bears the name of the British navigator Captain James Cook because his discoveries have led to the further development of natural sciences.

Research at James Cook University in Ecology, Environment, Earth Sciences, Plant and Animal Sciences, and Coral Reef Science and Tourism is world-class.

The James Cook University is ideally located directly on the Great Barrier Reef and thus offers optimal research conditions. With almost 40 national awards in the field of Teaching and Learning, James Cook University is one of the most popular universities in Australia.

Griffith University - Queensland

QS World Rankings: 243

Griffith University is the largest university in Queensland and places great value on a flexible course structure. This university is also a member of Innovative Research Universities.

As one of the few universities in Australia, Griffith University Study Abroad allows students to take up to 5 courses per semester without paying higher tuition fees.

By dividing the academic year into three starting dates per year, a semester abroad at Griffith University can be perfectly integrated into your studies in Europe. Students who want to complete a full degree at Griffith University also benefit from this, as the study duration can be shortened, and some master's programs can even be completed within one calendar year.

The options of courses, quality of educational institutions, lower cost of living, a better pace of life and the opportunity to experience a 'wider' Australia makes the regional cities and the universities and colleges therein a very wise choice for international students indeed!

To talk about your higher education choices in Australia, visit or contact iae Global Nepal, today!