Settling in Bendigo is an option for skilled workers who want a quiet Victorian regional city. Bendigo is a designated area for the 491 visa. This article analyses the city for skilled migrants.
Settling in Bendigo: the job market and employment
Bendigo’s job market is tied to healthcare (Bendigo Health), education (La Trobe University campus), finance (Bendigo Bank headquarters), agriculture and manufacturing. It is one of the largest regional cities in Victoria, with about 100,000 people.
Skilled workers in healthcare, finance, education, agriculture or manufacturing have opportunities. Bendigo Bank is one of Australia’s major regional banks, generating many jobs in local finance.
Life and cost of living in Bendigo
Bendigo has a much more affordable cost of living and rent than Melbourne. The city is known for its Victorian-era architectural heritage and gold-rush history, along with the Chinese Joss House Temple (a heritage site from the gold-rush era).
It has an inland climate with hot summers and cold winters. It is about 2 hours by car or train from Melbourne. Its moderate size offers a relaxed pace of life, plenty of green space, and suits families wanting to leave a large city.
The Vietnamese community and visa notes
Bendigo has a small Vietnamese community; newcomers can access the larger community in Melbourne. There are a few Vietnamese restaurants serving the community in Bendigo.
Bendigo is a designated area for the 491 visa, and residents earn 15 points under this visa. It suits skilled workers in finance, healthcare or agriculture willing to live in a regional area. Skilled migration to Bendigo still follows the federal system; you should check current requirements.
You should refer to official Home Affairs website and Home Affairs – Skilled visas to check current conditions.
Summary
Bendigo is a regional city in Victoria with about 100,000 people, with jobs in healthcare (Bendigo Health), education (La Trobe campus), finance (Bendigo Bank headquarters), agriculture and manufacturing. Cost of living is much more affordable. Victorian architectural heritage, Chinese Joss House Temple. About 2 hours from Melbourne. Inland climate. Small Vietnamese community. A designated area for the 491 (15 bonus points).
