Regional South Australia

With so many different landscapes, climates and attractions,regional South Australia offers something for everyone. From the picturesque rolling hills and plains, to rugged coastlines, expansive grasslands and the mighty Murray River. Our regions are dynamic, full of opportunity, embrace diversity and offer lifestyle affordability.

It’s perhaps not surprising that approximately one third of South Australia’s 1.5 million population live outside of Adelaide. Large regional towns include Mount Gambier, Whyalla, Murray Bridge, Port Pirie, Port Augusta and Port Lincoln. Smaller regional centres have a special place in the hearts of their residents – community spirit and pride make small town living a fantastic experience.

Key industries in country South Australia include agriculture, horticulture, viticulture, aquaculture and fishing, mining, health, education, engineering, manufacturing, transport, tourism and hospitality. So if you’re seeking sunshine, fresh air, open spaces and a supportive community – welcome to regional South Australia!

Great lifestyle

Regional South Australians are known for their no fuss, laid-back approach to life. Friendly neighbours, sense of community and a safe environment for your family are an integral part of life in the regions. Getting around isn’t a problem – country locations are accessible through an extensive road network and larger towns and cities are well serviced by an excellent bus network. Airports in major centres enable quick trips to major cities.

There’s a climate to suit everyone too. The northern or central part of the state might suit those who prefer the heat while the southern parts of the state are characterised by milder summers and cooler winters.

For further information please visit:

Department of Trade and Economic Development – www.southaustralia.biz/move

Immigration SA – www.immigration.sa.gov.au

South Australian Tourism Commission – www.southaustralia.com

Working in the regions

 South Australia has a low unemployment rate, identifying some very specific skill shortages in certain regions. Trade positions are in high demand across all industries and much of regional SA. This includes electricians, motor mechanics, metal fabricators, welders, butchers, chefs, engineers, teachers and skilled agriculture workers. Health professionals are also in demand, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and mental health professionals. To look for work in regional South Australia, use the internet, check out the employment section in local newspapers or approach businesses directly.

For many occupations, working in rural areas increases the opportunity of advancing your career at a faster rate. There are plenty of possibilities when it comes to working for a company, organisation or owning a small business in regional South Australia.

For further information please visit:

Australian Job Search – www.jobsearch.gov.au

Immigration SA ‘Fresh Start’ – www.immigration.sa.gov.au

Job search engines – www.careerone.com.au,

www.mycareer.com.au & www.seek.com.au



Living in the regions

You’ll be pleased to know that living in the regions is not expensive. Costs of living vary depending on where you live and your lifestyle. Local shops and stores keep general goods and services costs as low as possible. Most supermarkets, regardless of size, offer regular weekly discounts on grocery lines as a matter of course. Just about every country area has its own local produce available at good prices. For more remote areas, regular deliveries service the local population.

Many country areas offer affordable, quality housing for purchase. So if you would like to get out of the rental market, this is a fantastic opportunity to own the home you’ve always dreamed about. For example, the median house price across regional South Australia is just AUD$240,000.² It’s significantly less than its city counterpart. On average, rental prices on properties in regional South Australia are lower than those in cities.

For further information please visit:

First Home Owners Scheme – www.firsthome.gov.au

Home Start Finance – www.homestart.com.au

Real Estate Institute of South Australia – www.reisa.com.au

Real Estate.com.au – www.realestate.com.au

2 Source: (REISA, December 2007)

The great outdoors

Regional South Australia offers extensive sporting opportunities and leisure pursuits. Local sporting and interest clubs welcome new members and help form the heart of small communities. Australian Rules Football, fishing, tennis, diving, netball and orienteering are just a few of the activities that will keep you in the great outdoors! Each region is home to its own unique wildlife, much of which can be seen in natural habitats. Watch whales near Victor Harbor, view sea lions off Kangaroo Island, spot water birds in the Murray River National Park or hold a koala at Cleland Wildlife Park.

Diving is also great here – from wrecks on the Fleurieu Reef and Yorke Peninsula to the world renowned Nuyts Archipelago near Whyalla. If you’d prefer to stay on dry land, walking trails abound in South Australia and the Heysen Trail is the longest dedicated trail of its kind in Australia.

For a slice of the past, many small towns have local museums or town heritage walks and you can explore indigenous history in the Flinders Ranges, mining history in Whyalla and farming history in the Mid North.

For further information please visit:

Department for Environment and Heritage – www.environment.sa.gov.au/heritage and www.parks.sa.gov.au

Dive South Australia – www.southaustralia.com/3584.aspx

Be Active – www.beactive.com.au

History Trust of South Australia – www.history.sa.gov.au

Australian Government’s Culture and Recreation Portal - www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au

          

Top of the class

Major country centres and in some cases, even the smallest country towns are well resourced with government and non-government education, from preschool to primary and secondary school. English language support is provided for students from non-English speaking backgrounds. Access to tertiary and technical education is supported through a network of TAFE SA campuses, private providers and Universities offering flexible course delivery. Over one quarter of South Australia’s private and community based childcare centres are located in country areas.

A healthy alternative

Non-metropolitan South Australia is well supported by an extensive network of health services, which include hospitals both large and small, regional health services, general practice surgeries and (depending on your location) visiting or resident specialists.

Community health centres provide all regional South Australians with access to specific services such as mental health, aged care, women’s health and child/youth health programs. Even if you live in a remote area and emergency or regular treatment is required, regional South Australia is efficiently serviced by air ambulance and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

For further information please visit:

Department of Health – www.health.sa.gov.au

South Australian Ambulance Service – www.saambulance.com.au

Royal Flying Doctor Service – www.flyingdoctor.net

     

Eat, drink and relax

On any weekend during the year, a festival or event is taking place somewhere in regional South Australia. It might be a food and wine festival, a pageant, agricultural show, or a farmer’s market selling local produce. Regional South Australia offers its own unique blend of activities, with something to suit everyone. The state’s clean, green environment provides an abundance of fresh produce and seafood which makes wining and dining in the country a sensational experience. Country pubs are famous for their hospitality, great meals and characters!

For further information please visit:

South Australian Tourism Commission –

www.southaustralia.com

Country Arts SA – www.countryarts.org.au

CISA Events Pool – www.eventspool.com

    

The Northern Region

The northern region of South Australia covers 90% of the state and has a population of approximately 40,000 people. The seaside city of Port Augusta, with a population of 14,000 is the major service centre for the region and has all the facilities of a modern city. Major industries in the region are tourism, agriculture and in particular mining. The Northern region is home to the major mining boom that South Australia is currently experiencing. It includes BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam mine, with a proposed expansion to make it the largest mine in the Southern Hemisphere. As well as BHP Billiton, there are numerous other significant mining operations in the region, making for excellent employment opportunities in the mining industry and the services supporting this industry. The Northern Region is one of Australia’s fastest growing regions – one that welcomes new people and new businesses.

            www.nrdb.com.au

www.flindersoutback.com    

www.cooberpedy.com.au

Whyalla Region

Whyalla is a city of contrasts supported by the mining and manufacturing industries. It offers an idyllic lifestyle with beautiful beaches, the outback and 301 days of sunshine a year. The city has great shopping, sporting, education and social facilities making it an attractive location for families and individuals alike.
            www.wedb.com.au

The Riverland Region

The Riverland is a busy regional centre and is home to 34,000 people located only 2.5 hours north east of Adelaide. The population is spread over five major towns: Renmark, Loxton, Berri, Barmera and Waikerie. Each of these vibrant towns nestles on the banks of the mighty Murray River, a beautiful area of high yielding vineyards, orchards and dry land farming and spectacular scenery.

            www.riverlandonline.com

www.riverland.info

     

Murraylands Region

The Murraylands is bestowed with a diversity of landscapes. From the meandering Murray River and the broad expanse of the Mallee country, to the dunes and waterways of the Coorong and Lakes region. On top of this, the Murraylands Region has a great climate and lifestyle. It’s often referred to as ‘The Region of Opportunity’.

            www.murraylands.org.au

www.murraylands.info

Barossa and Light Region

The Barossa and Light region offers a cosmopolitan lifestyle in a rural setting, just one-hour northeast of Adelaide. Its proximity to Adelaide makes this an attractive option for migrants who fall in love with the beauty of the vineyards, undulating hills and renowned hospitality. The fine wine and food that’s so popular with tourists is everyday pleasure for the people who live here. And the region has the added bonus of excellent schools, health services and sporting facilities.

            www.bld.org.au

www.barossa.com

www.kapundatourism.com.au

Mid North Region

Situated two hours northwest of Adelaide, the Mid North is a region of plains, pastures, vineyards and valleys. The region is home to the famous and beautiful Clare Valley wine and tourism region. The vast pastoral country supports substantial industries involving agriculture, sheep, manufacturing, and an emerging animal industry focusing on pigs and poultry. The Mid North has a laid-back lifestyle, country charm and traditional hospitality.

            www.mnrdb.com.au

www.clarevalley.com.au

http://www.kapundatourism.com.au

   

Yorke Region

The Yorke region comprises the ‘boot-shaped’ Yorke Peninsula and the Adelaide Plains. The Peninsula is two and a half hours from Adelaide and has major appeal as a seaside destination, while the Plains offer rural living and affordable land within easy commuting distance to Adelaide. Yorke is recognised as a rich cereal, pulse, wool and prime lamb producing area and is rapidly expanding into pig and poultry production and processing. With its proud history of agricultural success and strong sense of community, Yorke offers enormous economic and lifestyle advantages.

            www.yorkeregion.com.au

www.yorkepeninsula.com.au

www.adelaideplainsmarketing.com.au

Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island, Australia’s third largest island, is located 15 km off the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula and is home to 4,500 residents. The Island is recognised as a tourism icon, attracting 150,000 visitors annually. It’s also home to Australia’s official number one beach, Vivonne Bay. Kangaroo Island also has important industries on which it relies – primary production, fishing, forestry and aquaculture.

            www.kangarooisland.org

            www.tourkangarooisland.com.au

  

Fleurieu Region

The Fleurieu Peninsula is just a one-hour drive away from Adelaide and one of South Australia’s most popular tourist areas. The region is home to 32,000 people and has magnificent swimming and surfing beaches, food and wine experiences, river ports, whale watching and quality golf courses. In all, it’s an attractive place to live, visit and do business.

            www.frd.org.au

www.fleurieupeninsula.com.au

The Limestone Coast

Ideally situated halfway between Adelaide and Melbourne in the southern part of the state, the Limestone Coast region supports a population of over 63,000. Primary industries thrive on fertile soils and an adequate water supply. Clean oceans and lush pastures provide a bounty of fresh produce complementing a variety of tourism activities and local industries such as forestry, agriculture and wine. Picturesque harbour towns, world famous vineyards and unique geological features make this region the ultimate lifestyle choice.

            www.lcrdb.com

www.thelimestonecoast.com

Eyre Region

The Eyre Peninsula is an area of rich and diverse industries, which produce 33% of the state’s grain harvest and 77% of its seafood and aquaculture produce. The region’s population has recorded a steady growth of 3.5% per annum in the past five years and with increased mineral exploration and the expanding tourism and aquaculture areas – which is expected to continue growing. The Eyre region is a prosperous area that is picturesque with 2,000 km of pristine coastline, interior farming land and the spectacular Gawler Ranges in the North. The region’s two main centres – Port Lincoln and Ceduna – have key regional infrastructure and health services, supporting this dynamic and culturally significant area of South Australia.

            www.erdb.org.au

Adelaide Hills Region

The Adelaide Hills region offers 1,389 square km of business and lifestyle potential right on the doorstep of Adelaide. A scenic landscape, high rainfall, temperate climate and accessible road network has provided an enviable foundation for agricultural, wine and tourism development attracting 70,000 residents and more than 750,000 day trippers per year.

            www.adelaidehills.com.au

www.visitadelaidehills.com.au

Southern Flinders Ranges Region

The Southern Flinders Ranges region includes the city of Port Pirie as its regional centre, which is located 225 km north of Adelaide on Spencer Gulf. The economy of the region is largely based on agriculture and resource processing. Port Pirie is home to the largest lead smelter in the world producing high volumes of zinc, silver, copper and gold. The region provides retail, commercial and community services for a population of about 23,400. Agriculture remains the most significant economic activity outside of Port Pirie. The major agricultural activities are cropping, farming sheep for wool production, prime lambs and beef cattle.

www.sfrdb.com.au

www.flindersoutback.com

www.southernflindersranges.com.au

To find out more about living and working in South Australia, visit our website:

www.immigration.sa.gov.au

or contact us at:

Immigration SA, Level 10, 50 Pirie Street, PO Box. 1264, Adelaide SA, 5001

Telephone: +61 8 8204 9250 Fax: +61 8 8204 9244

Email: immigration.sa@state.sa.gov.au

Website: www.immigration.sa.gov.au