WA State Nomination Requirements 2026 – Complete Guide

If you are looking to migrate to Western Australia, the WA state nomination through the State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) offers a direct pathway to permanent residency.

Western Australia offers nomination for two visa subclasses:

1. Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) – A permanent resident visa.
2. Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – A 5-year pathway to PR for those willing to live and work in regional WA.

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WA State Nomination Streams

To be invited, your occupation must be on one of the official Western Australian occupation lists. There are two primary streams:

1. General Stream

This is a pathway for a wide range of industry categories. It is split into two schedules:

• WASMOL Schedule 1: Typically for healthcare and specialized professions. Requires 1 year of work experience and full time employment contract for subclass 190.
  • Read our Full Article: WA General Stream – WASMOL Schedule 1 Occupation List & Requirements
• WASMOL Schedule 2: This is the most common pathway for professionals in IT, Engineering, and Trades. No work experience is required under this schedule, and a full-time employment contract for Subclass 190 is not required unless your occupation falls within the WA Building and Construction sector.
  • Read our Full Article: WA General Stream – WASMOL Schedule 2 Occupation List & Requirements

2. Graduate Stream

This stream is exclusively for international students who have completed a Certificate III or higher from an accredited WA educational institution.

• Read our Full Article: WA Graduate Stream Occupation List & Requirements

Overview of WA State Nomination Requirements 2026

Stream Requirements	General Stream (WASMOL Schedule 1)	General Stream (WASMOL Schedule 2)	Graduate Stream
Visa Type	190 / 491	190 / 491	190 / 491
Home Affairs Criteria	Meet all Department of Home Affairs eligibility requirements	Meet all Department of Home Affairs eligibility requirements	Meet all Department of Home Affairs eligibility requirements
Occupation List	Nominated occupation available on WASMOL Schedule 1	Nominated occupation available on WASMOL Schedule 2	Nominated occupation available on Graduate Occupation List (GOL)
English Requirement	Meet minimum English requirements for your occupation	Meet minimum English requirements for your occupation	Meet minimum English requirements for your occupation
Work Experience	At least 1 year of Australian or Overseas experience in nominated (or closely related) occupation	Not Required	Not Required
Employment Contract	6-month full-time contract in WA in nominated (or closely related) occupation*	6-month full-time contract in WA in nominated (or closely related) occupation*	Not Required
WA Qualification	Not Required	Not Required	Certificate III or above from an accredited WA educational institution
Study Requirements	Not Required	Not Required	Meet all Graduate stream study requirements (e.g., 2 years WA study)

*Important Note on Employment Contracts: > Applicants invited through a WA Building and Construction industry sector occupation (as per the official WA occupation lists) are exempt from the requirement to provide a contract of employment.

How WA Ranks Your EOI

Western Australia uses a specific ranking system to select candidates for invitation rounds:

General Stream Ranking

1. Residency: Currently residing in Western Australia.
2. Location: Currently residing offshore or in another Australian state/territory.
3. Priority Sectors: Building and construction, healthcare, hospitality/tourism, and education.
4. Points & Date: Highest EOI points score followed by oldest EOI submission date.

Graduate Stream Ranking

• Higher Education (75% of nominations): PhD/Masters graduates ranked higher than Bachelor graduates.
• VET Graduates (25% of nominations): Advanced Diploma holders ranked higher than Certificate III/IV holders.
• Sector Priority: Priority is given to the same key sectors mentioned in the General Stream.

The 9-Step Application Process

1. Lodge EOI: Submit through SkillSelect.
2. Prepare: Gather skills assessment and English results.
3. Invite: Receive an email from Migration WA.
4. Apply: Lodge your state application (28-day deadline).
5. Assessment: Current processing time is 28 working days.
6. Nomination: Received in SkillSelect.
7. Visa Lodge: Submit to Home Affairs.
8. Outcome: Visa application assessment.
9. Register: Notify WA of your visa approval or arrival.

If you are considering applying for WA State Nomination, professional guidance can make a significant difference. From EOI strategy to preparing strong employment evidence, we assist you at every stage to maximise your chances of success.

Book a consultation with our registered migration agents to assess your eligibility and plan your next step with confidence.

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