Is Canberra a Regional Area?
Canberra is classed as a Category 2 location, "Cities and Major Regional Centres", in the Australian Government's regional definition, and Category 2 and 3 locations carry regional migration incentives that Category 1 Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane do not.
What are the three categories?
Home Affairs says its regional definition has three categories.
| Category | Places | Regional incentives |
|---|---|---|
| 1, Major Cities | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane | None |
| 2, Cities and Major Regional Centres | Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong, Hobart | Yes |
| 3, Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas | Other regional areas | Yes |
Does the category decide the 491?
Not alone. The category is one test, and each regional visa has its own rules. Home Affairs describes the subclass 491 as a visa for skilled people nominated by a state or territory government to live and work in regional Australia. The ACT nominates for it, and ACT nominees must live and work in Canberra for at least two years. Read the Home Affairs regional pages for the rule that applies to your visa, and see ACT 491 requirements for the ACT’s own criteria.
Next step
Whether a location counts depends on the visa and the date, so confirm it before you rely on it. An application prepared by an Australian migration lawyer is more likely to succeed. For a Canberra applicant, immigration lawyer Canberra advice can confirm which test applies to your visa, and an immigration lawyer for ACT nomination can set it beside the ACT nomination steps. Enquire about your migration matter.
Sources and dates
Department of Home Affairs: regional migration · page last updated 23 September 2024
Department of Home Affairs: subclass 491 · page last updated 2 October 2026
ACT Government: ACT Government nomination · page copy dated 11 December 2025