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If you are planning skilled migration to Western Australia, understanding WA state nomination is essential. Western Australia selects skilled migrants under Subclass 190 (Permanent) and Subclass 491 (Regional) based on occupation demand, workforce shortages, and state priorities. Unlike independent migration, WA state nomination requires endorsement from the Western Australian Government before you can receive a federal visa invitation. This guide explains eligibility requirements, selection methodology, EOI ranking factors, and strategic planning considerations.
WA state nomination is a state-level endorsement under Australia’s skilled migration framework. It allows Western Australia to nominate eligible skilled workers for:
State nomination adds additional points to your Expression of Interest (EOI):
These additional points can materially impact your EOI ranking.
Understanding WA nomination streams is extremely important because many applicants assume that all candidates are assessed the same way. That is not correct.
Western Australia divides applicants into structured nomination streams to manage:
Workforce shortages
Graduate retention
Regional development
Skilled labour distribution
Each stream has different eligibility conditions, competitiveness levels, and strategic advantages.
This is the main stream under Western Australia state nomination and is designed for skilled professionals whose occupations appear on the WA Skilled Occupation List.
Have an occupation listed on WA’s current state occupation list
Hold a valid positive skills assessment
Meet employment or work experience criteria (where required)
May be onshore or offshore, depending on occupation category
Open to both Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 (depending on occupation eligibility)
Often requires relevant employment experience
More competitive for 190 than 491
Offshore applicants may face higher competition unless occupation is in shortage
This stream is usually suitable for:
Experienced professionals
Applicants with competitive points
Skilled workers already employed in WA
However, simply having your occupation on the WA list does not guarantee nomination. Employment alignment and competitiveness matter.
This stream exists to retain international students who completed their studies in Western Australia. WA prefers to keep locally trained graduates because they:
Understand Australian workplace standards
Are already integrated into WA economy
Require less transition support
Applicants who:
Completed an eligible qualification from a WA institution
Meet required qualification levels (Bachelor, Master, PhD, etc.)
Have an occupation aligned with WA’s needs
Meet English and skills assessment requirements
Not all graduates qualify automatically. The qualification must:
Be relevant to the nominated occupation
Meet Australian study requirements
Align with WA occupation list
Generally:
Less competitive than offshore GSM stream
Stronger chance if applicant is employed in WA
Still subject to state allocation limits
If you studied in WA, this stream can significantly strengthen your migration pathway under WA state nomination.
Western Australia includes large regional areas outside Perth metropolitan boundaries. The Regional Focus Stream supports workforce distribution into these areas through Subclass 491.
Applicants willing to:
Live and work in regional WA
Commit to regional residency obligations
Meet occupation and employment criteria
Regional areas often face:
Trade and construction gaps
Agricultural skill deficits
Subclass 491 helps address these shortages.
Adds 15 points to your EOI
May have broader nomination allocation
Can be more accessible than 190
Leads to PR after meeting regional income and residence requirements
Applicants must genuinely reside and work in regional WA. It is not just a points-boosting mechanism.
Competition varies by occupation, allocation availability, and demand cycle.
Understanding the structural difference between these visas is critical before applying for WA state nomination.
Both visas require commitment to Western Australia.
If you are planning to apply for a WA state nomination, it is essential to understand the full eligibility framework before submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI). Western Australia does not nominate applicants randomly — selection is based on structured WA migration requirements, occupation demand, and competitiveness.
This section explains everything clearly — even if you are completely new to Australia’s migration system.
The first and most important requirement for Western Australia state nomination is occupation alignment. Your nominated occupation must appear on the official WA Skilled Occupation List.
Australia uses a classification system called ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations). Each profession has a specific code.
For example:
Civil Engineer – ANZSCO 233211
Software Engineer – ANZSCO 261313
Registered Nurse – ANZSCO 254499
If your occupation (with correct ANZSCO code) is not on WA’s occupation list, you cannot apply for WA nomination.
WA updates its occupation list periodically.
Some occupations are open to onshore applicants only.
Some are open to offshore applicants.
Some are restricted to specific streams (190 or 491).
Before doing anything else, confirm that your occupation appears on WA’s official list.
To qualify under WA migration requirements, you must obtain a valid positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
Your qualifications meet Australian standards
Your work experience aligns with the nominated occupation
You are genuinely skilled in your profession
Without a positive skills assessment, you cannot claim points or proceed with WA 190 nomination or WA 491 nomination. Being on the occupation list is not enough. You must prove that you are genuinely qualified and experienced in that occupation.
This is done through a positive skills assessment.
Each occupation has a designated assessing authority. For example:
Engineers → Engineers Australia
IT professionals → ACS
Accountants → CPA / CA ANZ
Nurses → ANMAC
The assessing authority checks:
Your educational qualifications
Your work experience
Whether your degree is equivalent to Australian standards
Without a positive skills assessment, you cannot claim points or apply for WA state nomination.
English proficiency is mandatory for WA state nomination.
Competent English (e.g., IELTS 6 each band or equivalent)
Increase your migration points
Improve your EOI ranking
Strengthen your competitiveness in Western Australia state nomination rounds
In competitive occupations, stronger English can influence selection.
Australia’s skilled migration system operates on a federal points-based model. To be eligible for WA state nomination, you must score at least 65 points before state nomination points are added.
Points are awarded for:
Age
English level
Education
Skilled work experience
Australian study
Partner skills
Once nominated:
WA 190 nomination gives +5 points
WA 491 nomination gives +15 points
Important:
65 points makes you eligible — it does not guarantee nomination.
Selection depends on how competitive your profile is compared to others in the same occupation.
Not all applicants need WA employment, but some streams require it. Here’s how it works under WA migration requirements:
For some occupations under Western Australia state nomination, onshore employment significantly improves selection chances.
Not all applicants need a WA job offer.
Some streams prioritise applicants already working in WA.
Graduate applicants must have studied in WA.
491 applicants must genuinely intend to live in regional WA.
Each stream has different competitiveness levels.
When applying for a WA state nomination, your location matters.
Applicants already in Australia (student visa, work visa, etc.).
Applicants applying from outside Australia.
Western Australia may prioritise candidates already contributing to the WA economy.
However, offshore applicants can still secure WA 190 nomination or WA 491 nomination if:
Occupation is in strong demand
Points are competitive
Experience is substantial
Western Australia maintains its own state occupation list. Eligibility depends on:
Occupation being listed
Matching ANZSCO code
Skills assessment validity
State-specific criteria
Occupation lists may include:
General Skilled Migration stream
Graduate stream
Regional occupation lists
Applicants must ensure their occupation aligns exactly with the WA criteria at time of application.
One of the biggest misunderstandings about WA state nomination is that many applicants believe meeting the eligibility criteria guarantees an invitation.
That is not correct.
Western Australia does not operate on automatic selection. Instead, WA state nomination invitations are issued through competitive invitation rounds, where candidates are ranked and filtered based on multiple factors.
Let’s understand how this actually works.
When you submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) and indicate Western Australia, you enter a selection pool for state nomination Australia.
Western Australia then reviews EOIs during invitation rounds and selects candidates based on state priorities, occupation demand, and overall competitiveness.
This means:
Being eligible does not guarantee selection
Having 65 points does not guarantee nomination
Stronger profiles are prioritised
Western Australia may evaluate several elements when issuing WA state nomination invitations:
Australia’s migration system is points-based, and you can use the official point calculator to estimate your eligibility score before applying. Higher points generally improve your competitiveness for WA 190 nomination or WA 491 nomination.
However, points are not the only factor.
For example:
An applicant with 85 points but no WA employment
Another applicant with 75 points but working in WA
WA may prefer the applicant contributing to the state economy. So while points matter, they are part of a broader assessment.
Each occupation has limited nomination capacity under WA state nomination. If too many applicants are competing in the same ANZSCO code:
Invitations may slow down
Competition becomes stronger
Higher points may be required
If occupation demand is low or allocation is nearly full, even strong profiles may not receive an invitation.
Employment alignment can significantly strengthen your case under Western Australia state nomination.
WA may prioritise applicants who:
Are currently employed in WA
Work in their nominated occupation
Contribute to a shortage sector
Onshore employment reduces settlement risk for the state and increases selection probability.
Applicants already living in Western Australia may receive stronger consideration, especially under certain streams.
WA’s objective is to:
Retain skilled workers
Support local workforce stability
Reduce interstate migration risk
This is particularly relevant for WA graduates and temporary visa holders.
Under WA state nomination, graduates from WA institutions may have a structured pathway.
WA prefers to retain locally trained talent because:
They understand Australian workplace standards
They are already integrated into WA communities
Their employment transition is smoother
However, even graduate applicants must meet occupation and eligibility criteria.
Each year, the Australian Government grants Western Australia a fixed number of nomination places under programs such as the skilled nominated visa subclass 190 WA and Subclass 491.
These allocations are divided between:
Subclass 190
Subclass 491
Once WA exhausts its annual allocation:
Invitation rounds may pause
Certain occupations may close temporarily
Nomination processing may slow down
This explains why some applicants wait months despite being eligible. It is not always about profile weakness — sometimes it is simply allocation timing.
After submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI), WA assesses applicants based on competitive ranking.
State nomination is not automatic upon meeting eligibility. Selection depends on comparative ranking within your occupation group.
Understanding the WA state nomination application process is critical before starting your migration journey. Many applicants focus only on eligibility, but the real challenge lies in correctly navigating each stage of the WA migration process.
Whether you are applying for WA 190 nomination (permanent residency) or WA 491 nomination (regional provisional visa), the overall structure follows a defined sequence.
Let’s break it down step by step.
Before anything else, confirm that your occupation appears on the current Western Australia Skilled Occupation List.
You must:
Identify your correct ANZSCO code
Check whether the occupation is open for 190, 491, or both
Verify whether it is open to onshore, offshore, or both
Confirm stream eligibility (General, Graduate, Regional)
If your occupation is not listed, you cannot proceed with WA state nomination. This is the foundation of the entire process.
After confirming occupation eligibility, you must secure a valid positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
This proves that:
Your qualifications meet Australian standards
Your work experience aligns with your nominated occupation
You are eligible to claim points in your EOI
Without a positive skills assessment, you cannot proceed to submit an Expression of Interest for Western Australia state nomination.
Once your skills assessment and English results are ready, you submit your EOI through SkillSelect.
In your EOI, you must:
Select Western Australia as your preferred state
Indicate whether you are applying for WA 190 nomination or WA 491 nomination
Claim accurate migration points
Declare employment and residency details truthfully
Submitting an EOI does not mean you have applied for a visa. It simply places you in the pool for potential selection under WA state nomination.
Western Australia reviews EOIs during invitation rounds.
If your profile is competitive based on:
Points score
Occupation demand
Employment status
Stream criteria
You may receive an invitation from WA to apply for state nomination. This invitation allows you to move to the next stage of the WA migration process. If not selected, your EOI remains in the pool until it expires.
After receiving the invitation, you must submit a formal nomination application to Western Australia within the specified timeframe. At this stage, you must provide supporting documents such as:
Employment contracts (if applicable)
Payslips
Residency evidence
Qualification documents
English test results
Skills assessment outcome
WA carefully verifies all claims made in your EOI. If discrepancies are found, your nomination may be refused.
If WA approves your application, they officially nominate you. Your nomination is then forwarded to the Department of Home Affairs.
At this point:
You receive additional points (5 for 190, 15 for 491)
You become eligible to lodge your visa application
Nomination is not the final visa approval — it is state endorsement.
After nomination approval, you must submit your visa application within the required timeframe (usually 60 days).
You will apply for:
Subclass 190 (permanent visa), or
Subclass 491 (regional provisional visa)
The Department of Home Affairs then assesses:
Health requirements
Character checks
Points claims
Employment documentation
Final visa approval depends on federal assessment, not the state alone.
Applying for WA state nomination requires accuracy and proper strategy. Many applicants lose opportunities due to avoidable errors during the Western Australia state nomination process.
Here are the most common mistakes:
Some applicants assume that if their occupation is on the federal list, they automatically qualify for WA 190 nomination or WA 491 nomination.
This is incorrect.
Western Australia has its own occupation list and stream-specific conditions. Always verify your ANZSCO code against the latest WA list before submitting your EOI.
Your EOI is a legal declaration. Overstating work experience, miscalculating points, or claiming unsupported partner points can result in refusal of your WA state nomination. WA cross-checks all claims during nomination assessment.
Accuracy is critical.
For certain streams, especially under WA 190 nomination, employment in WA can be important. Incomplete contracts, missing payslips, or unclear job alignment can weaken your application for an Australia state nominated visa.
Ensure your documents clearly support your claims.
Receiving Western Australia state nomination does not mean your visa is automatically approved.
After nomination, the Department of Home Affairs reassesses:
Points claims
Health requirements
Character checks
Visa refusal is still possible at the federal stage.
Applicants under WA 491 nomination must genuinely commit to living and working in regional WA. Failing to understand these obligations can affect your long-term PR pathway.
Avoiding these mistakes significantly improves your chances of securing WA state nomination and successfully progressing toward your Australia state nominated visa.
State nomination policies, occupation lists, and selection priorities may change depending on:
Federal allocation numbers
State labour shortages
Migration planning levels
Applicants should verify the official WA migration website and Department of Home Affairs guidelines before lodging applications.
Skilled professionals working in WA
WA university graduates
Applicants in priority occupations
Candidates with moderate points needing boost
WA state nomination is endorsement from Western Australia for skilled migrants under Subclass 190 or 491.
Subclass 190 adds 5 points. Subclass 491 adds 15 points.
No. Selection is competitive and based on ranking and state priorities.
Yes, depending on occupation stream eligibility.
No. The final decision rests with the Department of Home Affairs.
Some streams require employment evidence in WA.
491 is valid for 5 years with PR pathway eligibility.
You are expected to commit to WA initially.
It depends on occupation demand and points score.
Invitation rounds depend on allocation availability and state priorities.
WA state nomination offers a structured pathway for skilled migrants seeking permanent or regional migration under Subclass 190 and 491. However, nomination is competitive and requires accurate documentation, strategic planning, and realistic expectations.
Understanding eligibility, ranking methodology, and occupation demand allows applicants to build a stronger migration profile. With expert guidance from AUM Global, you can ensure your application strategy is accurate and aligned with current migration policies.
If you are considering applying, ensure your strategy aligns with both federal migration requirements and Western Australia’s state-specific criteria.
