Regional Queensland Migrants to “Jump the Queue”

Late last year the Queensland Government made mention of a possible policy change that would see more migrants being allowed live and work in Australia if they chose to settle in regional areas. To read more on this article please click here. This potential policy change is still a topical subject for immigration with another article published in the Sydney Morning Herald on January 20, 2014.

Currently more than half of Queensland’s population is living in the southeast, but the Newman Government is aiming to have half the state’s population living outside the southeast by 2043. In an effort to achieve this goal, the government is talking with Immigration Minister, Scott Morrison, about plans to fast-track visa applications for applicants wanting to move to regional parts of Queensland. So if you are applying for a visa and intend to work and live in a regional area, it is being suggested that you may be able to ‘jump the queue’ and get a visa quicker.

This policy change may also see an increase in the number of migrants accepted into Queensland. For more information about the possible increase in skilled work positions, click here.

Where is classified as Regional Queensland?

Regional Queensland areas include suburbs such as:

• Toowoomba
• Townsville
• Rockhampton (including Emerald)
• Cairns
• Mackay
• Sunshine Coast (includes Wide Bay, Burnett & Bundaberg)

We will keep you updated on the topic as soon as a decision is made about the policy change. If you would like more information about working and living in regional Queensland, please contact a member of our migration team.