New Students and Migrants in Geelong

Where is Geelong and What it has to offer to Students and Migrants

Where is Geelong

Geelong is a major service and industrial manufacturing centre for the Barwon Southwest Region. Geelong is well connected to Melbourne and regional Victoria via road and rail and nationally and internationally through the Port of Geelong and Avalon Airport.

Located 75 kilometers Southwest of Melbourne covering an area of 1,247 km2, Geelong is one of the largest municipalities in Victoria, comprising suburban, coastal, and country areas. Geelong is the gateway to the world-renowned coastline of south-west Victoria via the Great Ocean Road.

With a population of over 252,217 (30 June 2018) and forecast to grow to 393,216 by 2041, the City of Greater Geelong is Victoria’s largest provincial city comprising more than 50 suburbs and townships of Anakie, Armstrong Creek, Avalon, Balliang, Barwon Heads, Batesford, Bell Park, Bell Post Hill, Bellarine, Belmont, Breakwater, Breamlea, Ceres, Charlemont, Clifton Springs, Connewarre, Corio, Curlewis, Drumcondra, Drysdale, East Geelong, Fyansford, Geelong, Geelong West, Grovedale, Hamlyn Heights, Herne Hill, Highton, Indented Head, Lara, Leopold, Little River, Lovely Banks, Manifold Heights, Mannerim, Marcus Hill, Marshall, Moolap, Moorabool, Mount Duneed, Newcomb, Newtown, Norlane, North Geelong, North Shore, Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale, Point Wilson, Portarlington, Rippleside, South Geelong, St Albans Park, St Leonards, Staughton Vale, Swan Bay, Thomson, Wallington, Wandana Heights, Waurn Ponds, Whittington.

Approximately 77 per cent of the community are Australian born, with the United Kingdom,India, New Zealand, Italy and China the main birthplaces outside Australia.

Pathways from pre-primary to tertiary education

There is a wide choice of public or private schooling, and multiple tertiary education options - all with strong links to industry. There are over 50 kindergartens, just over 70 primary schools and over 20 secondary schools all offering high level teaching. Deakin University which was established in 1974 is a world-class university with cutting-edge facilities and is internationally renowned for its research and teaching.

The Gordon opened in 1887 and has been offering technical and further education (TAFE) courses for over 125 years, helping people gain real skills for real jobs. Marcus Oldham College has been offering students a unique education experience in agriculture and equine management since 1962.

There are also over 35 community based or privately operated Registered Training Organisations offering a diverse range of short and long courses.

Work and Investment

Geelong has a strong local economy with an investment pipeline that will provide job opportunities into the future, particularly in emerging growth sectors. Geelong’s major industry strengths include Health, Education and Research, Advanced Manufacturing, Defence, Information and Communications Technology, Tourism and Food and Agriculture.

Trade through the Geelong Port, Victoria's premier bulk port, also continues to be strong, with $7 billion of trade, 10 million tonnes of product and 600 vessels passing through the port and supporting 1,800 regional jobs annually.

Avalon Airport delivers both domestic and international passenger and freight services as well as being home to the Australian International Air show.

Investment in the region continues to grow with $4.3 billion in major construction and redevelopment underway or planned.

Culture and Lifestyle

Geelong has all the benefits of a capital city but with a relaxed atmosphere. The city boasts a beautiful waterfront precinct, gentle bay and surf beaches and sophisticated dining and entertainment options.

The Bellarine Peninsula has been building a reputation as a food and wine destination and the Bellarine Taste Trail brings together many of the gourmet offerings of the region including wineries, restaurants and cafes, producers of beer, fresh produce, goats, cheese, olive oil and seafood.

Geelong city is home to a host of high profile festivals and celebrations, and there are tonnes of Geelong events throughout the year to keep its inhabitants and visitors entertained with everything from world-class sporting events and music festivals to food,wine and beer fairs, and even aerial acrobatics.

Is Geelong Regional Victoria

All suburbs of City of Greater Geelong are prescribed as 'Designated Regional Area' and Designated City or Major Regional Centre and therefore qualifies for the following:

- Regional nomination for Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 491.

- Regional nomination for Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 494.

- 1 Year Extension on Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485 (if the applicant continues to live and work in Regional Area).

- Access to the Regional Occupations List – more jobs compared to non-regional lists.

- Priority Processing by the Department of Home Affairs.

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Disclaimer: ‘Atlantis International Pty Ltd’ and its associates are independent consulting entities which are not associated in anyway with the Australian ‘Department of Home Affairs’ (DOHA). Information on this website does not constitute personal migration advice. For a customized migration advice based on your personal circumstances, please call and talk to one of our Immigration Consultants or register your interest with our Associates.