WA state nomination (Western Australia, 190 and 491)

The streams

• General: occupations on the WA Skilled Migration Occupation List (Schedules 1 and 2).
• Defence industry: Schedule 3 occupations.
• Graduate: international students who studied in WA for at least two years (87 weeks full-time, on campus) with an eligible qualification.

Main requirements

• EOI in SkillSelect seeking WA nomination, under 45, 65 points or more, current skills assessment.
• English: approved tests with minimum scores, with different tables before and after 7 August 2025. UK, Canada, New Zealand, US and Ireland passport holders are exempt.
• General stream: at least one year of relevant paid work in the last 10 years at 20+ hours a week. Australian and overseas experience cannot be combined.
• A full-time contract in WA of at least six months applies to some 190 cases, not to the 491.

Steps

1. Lodge an EOI.
2. Receive an invitation from WA Migration Services.
3. Lodge the state application in 28 calendar days with the A$200 non-refundable fee.
4. Receive an outcome by email. If nominated, you may be invited by Home Affairs and have 60 days to lodge.

Decision-ready applications have been processed in about 28 working days. Nomination places are limited.

After the visa

Applicants not yet in WA must move within three months, register arrival, and live and work in WA for two years.