Western Australia Nomination | Skilled Visa 190 & 491

Western Australia Nomination – Subclass 190

The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a permanent skilled visa for eligible applicants nominated by an Australian state or territory.

WA nomination can provide 5 additional points under the Australian skilled migration points test.

A successful subclass 190 applicant can live and work in Western Australia as a permanent resident, subject to the applicable visa requirements.

General requirements may include:

• An eligible occupation
• A suitable skills assessment
• Competent English or the applicable English requirement
• The required points score
• SkillSelect Expression of Interest
• WA nomination
• Invitation from the Department of Home Affairs
• Health requirements
• Character requirements
• Other subclass 190 criteria

WA may impose additional occupation, employment or graduate requirements depending on the relevant nomination stream.

Western Australia Nomination – Subclass 491

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is a provisional skilled visa for eligible applicants who intend to live and work in designated regional Australia.

WA nomination can provide 15 additional points under the points test.

Subclass 491 is not a permanent visa. Eligible holders may potentially progress to the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) after meeting the applicable requirements.

A potential pathway is:

WA Nomination → Subclass 491 → Meet Regional Requirements → Subclass 191 → Permanent Residence

The requirements for the 191 visa are separate from WA nomination requirements and must be assessed when the permanent visa is considered.

Western Australia Skilled Migration Streams

WA's nomination program can include different pathways depending on the applicant's circumstances.

These have included:

General Stream

The General stream is designed for skilled applicants whose occupations appear on the relevant Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL) and who satisfy the applicable state requirements.

WA occupation lists can contain different schedules and eligibility settings for different occupations and visa subclasses.

Graduate Stream

The Graduate stream is designed for eligible graduates who have completed qualifying studies in Western Australia.

Graduate eligibility depends on the current WA program requirements, occupation list, qualification level, study duration and other criteria.

WA has previously required eligible graduates to have completed at least two years of full-time study in Western Australia for the Graduate stream. Such criteria should be checked against the current program year before applying.

Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List

Your occupation is a critical part of a WA nomination assessment.

WA can use occupation lists such as:

• WASMOL Schedule 1
• WASMOL Schedule 2
• Graduate Occupation List (GOL)

The relevant list and eligibility depend on the nomination stream and intended visa subclass.

An occupation appearing on a WA list does not automatically guarantee nomination.

You must also satisfy the relevant:

• Skills assessment requirements
• English requirements
• Points requirements
• Employment requirements
• Qualification requirements
• WA nomination criteria
• Home Affairs visa requirements

Occupation lists can be amended between program years, so applicants should always use the current WA list rather than an old occupation list.

WA General Stream

Under the General stream, eligible applicants may be considered where their occupation appears on the applicable WA occupation list.

WA's published criteria have included different requirements for health and medical occupations and other occupations.

For example, previous program-year criteria required relevant work experience for certain General stream applicants and additional Western Australian employment requirements for subclass 190 applicants. Building and construction occupations have also received specific treatment under WA's nomination criteria.

Because these requirements can change, your occupation and circumstances should be assessed against the current WA program criteria before relying on a particular employment pathway.

WA Graduate Stream

Western Australia provides opportunities for eligible graduates who have completed qualifying studies in WA.

A graduate applicant may need to demonstrate:

• A qualifying WA qualification
• Study completed in Western Australia
• Required duration of study
• Eligible occupation
• Skills assessment where required
• English
• Points
• SkillSelect EOI
• Other WA nomination requirements

WA's Graduate stream has included graduates from:

• Universities
• Higher education providers
• TAFE
• Registered training organisations
• English language providers

The exact qualification and study requirements depend on the current program year.

Expression of Interest – SkillSelect

Applicants seeking WA state nomination generally begin by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Australian Government's SkillSelect system.

Your EOI can include:

• Age
• Occupation
• Skills assessment
• English
• Qualifications
• Skilled employment
• Australian employment
• Points
• Current location
• Partner information
• Visa preferences

Your EOI should be accurate and supported by appropriate evidence.

Claiming points or experience that cannot be substantiated can create serious problems during the nomination or visa process.

WA Invitation Process

Submitting an EOI does not guarantee an invitation from Western Australia.

WA can assess candidates according to the current program criteria, available nomination places, occupation priorities and other selection factors.

Historically, WA has used ranking and invitation processes that can consider factors such as:

• Points score
• Occupation
• Location
• Employment
• WA study
• Date of EOI
• Available places
• Program priorities

Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee that an applicant will receive an invitation.

WA Nomination and Points

For points-tested skilled visas:

Subclass 190: +5 points for state nomination.

Subclass 491: +15 points for state nomination.

Applicants must also satisfy the Australian Government's points test and all other requirements.

The minimum points threshold should not be treated as an invitation guarantee.

A competitive score can vary according to the occupation, program year and number of available nomination places.

WA Nomination for Applicants Living in Western Australia

Applicants already living in WA may have access to pathways based on their:

• WA employment
• Occupation
• Skills assessment
• Qualifications
• English
• Points
• WA residence
• Current visa
• Employment sector

WA has historically prioritised applicants already living in Western Australia under parts of its nomination program. However, the priority and eligibility rules can change between program years.

Applicants should therefore check the current WA criteria before relying on an onshore strategy.

WA Nomination for Offshore Applicants

Skilled workers living outside Australia may also be eligible for WA nomination when their occupation and circumstances satisfy the applicable requirements.

An offshore applicant may need to demonstrate:

• Eligible occupation
• Relevant skills assessment
• Relevant work experience where required
• English
• Points
• SkillSelect EOI
• Compliance with WA nomination requirements

Offshore applicants should not assume that meeting the basic Home Affairs criteria automatically makes them competitive for WA nomination.

WA Employment Requirements

Employment requirements depend on the nomination stream and occupation.

For some WA pathways, employment in Western Australia can be important.

Published WA criteria have included requirements such as:

• Employment in the nominated or closely related occupation
• Full-time employment
• Minimum employment duration
• Employment in Western Australia
• Employment with an eligible employer
• A contract of employment

Different rules may apply to health and medical occupations, other General stream occupations, graduates and building and construction occupations.

Your employment should therefore be assessed against the specific stream applicable to you.

WA Building and Construction Opportunities

Western Australia has identified building and construction as an important workforce area.

The WA Government has also operated programs supporting skilled migrants entering the Western Australian construction industry.

For example, the Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP) can provide financial assistance for eligible employers and skilled migrants in WA's building and construction sector. The program has supported eligible applicants using visas including subclass 190, 491, 482, 494 and 186, subject to the program's terms and eligible occupations.

The CVSP is separate from the WA State Nominated Migration Program and should not be confused with state nomination itself.

WA Graduate Opportunities

Studying in Western Australia can potentially support a skilled migration strategy for eligible graduates.

A graduate pathway may involve:

Study in WA → Eligible Qualification → Skills/Occupation Assessment → SkillSelect EOI → WA Nomination → 190 or 491

However, completing a course in WA does not automatically result in state nomination or permanent residence.

The qualification, occupation, study duration and current WA Graduate stream requirements must all be considered.

Skills Assessment

A suitable skills assessment is required for many skilled migration pathways.

The assessing authority depends on your nominated occupation.

Examples include:

• ACS
• Engineers Australia
• CPA Australia
• CA ANZ
• IPA
• TRA
• VETASSESS
• AITSL
• ANMAC
• Other relevant assessing authorities

The skills assessment should support the occupation nominated in your SkillSelect EOI.

Your qualifications and employment history should also accurately correspond with the nominated occupation.

English Language Requirements

English requirements are primarily determined by the Australian Government for the relevant visa.

Depending on your visa and circumstances, you may need:

• Competent English
• Proficient English
• Superior English

Higher English proficiency may also provide additional points for points-tested skilled visas.

English test requirements and accepted test arrangements can change, so applicants should verify the current Home Affairs requirements before relying on an older test result or score.

WA Nomination Process

Step 1 – Check Your Occupation

Confirm that your occupation appears on the current WA occupation list applicable to your intended visa.

Step 2 – Assess Your Skills

Obtain the relevant skills assessment where required.

Step 3 – Complete Your English Requirement

Obtain an accepted English test result if required.

Step 4 – Calculate Your Points

Assess your points for age, English, qualifications, employment and other eligible factors.

Step 5 – Submit a SkillSelect EOI

Create or update your Expression of Interest through SkillSelect.

Step 6 – Wait for WA Selection

WA assesses eligible candidates according to the current program criteria.

Step 7 – Apply for WA Nomination

If invited, provide the required information and evidence for the state nomination application.

Step 8 – Receive State Nomination

If WA approves your nomination, the nomination is provided through the applicable process.

Step 9 – Receive Home Affairs Invitation

The Australian Government then issues the relevant invitation where applicable.

Step 10 – Lodge Your Visa Application

Submit the visa application within the required timeframe and provide the requested evidence.

Documents for WA Nomination

Depending on your pathway, documents may include:

• Passport
• Skills assessment
• English test
• Qualification certificates
• Academic transcripts
• Employment references
• Employment contracts
• Payslips
• Tax documents
• Superannuation evidence
• Bank statements where relevant
• WA residential evidence
• WA employment evidence
• Evidence of WA study
• Visa documents
• Evidence supporting points claims

WA may undertake verification checks and may contact employers or educational institutions to verify information and documents. False or misleading information can result in an application being declined and may be referred to the Australian Government.

WA 190 Pathway to Permanent Residency

Subclass 190 is a permanent visa.

A potential pathway is:

Skills Assessment → English → SkillSelect EOI → WA Selection → WA Nomination → Invitation → Subclass 190 → Permanent Residence

Applicants must continue to satisfy the Home Affairs requirements throughout the visa process.

WA 491 Pathway to Permanent Residency

Subclass 491 is a provisional regional visa.

An eligible 491 holder may potentially progress to subclass 191 after meeting the applicable requirements.

A potential pathway is:

Skills Assessment → EOI → WA Nomination → Subclass 491 → Regional Requirements → Subclass 191 → Permanent Residence

The 491 pathway should be considered as a long-term regional migration strategy rather than an immediate permanent visa.

WA Nomination Is Not a Visa Grant

State nomination and visa approval are separate decisions.

The Western Australian Government assesses applicants for state nomination.

The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs makes the final decision on the visa application.

Receiving WA nomination therefore does not guarantee that the visa will be granted.

Common WA Nomination Mistakes

Applicants should avoid:

• Using an outdated WA occupation list
• Choosing an occupation that does not match their skills assessment
• Claiming unsupported points
• Providing inaccurate employment information
• Using an expired skills assessment
• Ignoring WA employment requirements
• Assuming offshore applicants are automatically eligible
• Assuming graduates automatically qualify
• Confusing WA nomination with a visa grant
• Relying on previous program-year requirements
• Providing inconsistent information between EOI and nomination documents
• Submitting false or misleading evidence
• Assuming the minimum points score guarantees an invitation

Why Choose The Visa?

Western Australian nomination can be competitive and the most suitable pathway depends on your occupation, qualifications, experience, English, points, location and long-term migration goals.

The Visa can help assess:

• WA 190 eligibility
• WA 491 eligibility
• WA occupation list eligibility
• Skills assessment
• English requirements
• Points score
• Onshore pathways
• Offshore pathways
• WA Graduate stream
• General stream
• Regional migration
• Construction-related opportunities
• Alternative state nomination options
• Employer-sponsored pathways
• Potential PR strategies

Our Registered Migration Agent can help you understand your options and develop a migration strategy based on your individual circumstances.

Get Your Western Australia Nomination Assessment

Are you planning to migrate to Western Australia through skilled migration?

Contact The Visa for a personalised assessment of your WA nomination and Australian skilled visa options.

Registered Migration Agent: Navneet Kaur
MARN: 2318181

Phone: +61 430 077 714
Email: [email protected]
Website: thevisa.com.au