Western Australia State Nomination

Western Australia State Nomination 2026 Guide

Western Australia State Nomination remains one of the most sought‑after pathways for skilled professionals who want to migrate to Western Australia permanently or on a regional provisional basis. With the WA State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) for 2026 allocating 5,000 places, demand is high but opportunities are clear for those who understand the rules. This guide from VEM breaks down the latest 2026 criteria, steps, and insider tips so skilled migrants can plan a smooth, well‑structured application and avoid common pitfalls. 

Additional Information: Western Australia State Nomination

Source: https://vemvisa.com/en/western-australia-state-nomination/

Western Australia State Nomination Program 2026

Western Australia has set aside 5,000 state nomination places for the 2025–26 program year, split between two main visa streams. Of these:

• 3,000 places go to the Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa.

• 2,000 places go to the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa.

This allocation signals that WA wants to attract skilled workers into both the broader state economy and specific regional areas. The 5,000 cap also means that competition can be tight, especially for Subclass 190, so timing and preparation are critical.

Western Australia Skilled Migration Occupation List 2026

The Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL) 2026 is the official list of eligible occupations for state nomination through the SNMP. It includes more than 600 occupations, grouped into three main streams.

• General Stream – WASMOL Schedule 1: Higher‑skilled roles that fill key workforce shortages across health, engineering, IT, and other priority sectors.

• General Stream – WASMOL Schedule 2: Additional roles considered essential for WA’s long‑term economic development.

• Graduate Stream – Graduate Occupation List (GOL): Positions reserved for international students who completed eligible studies in Western Australia and whose nominated occupation matches WA’s workforce needs.

Applicants must ensure their occupation appears on the relevant WASMOL schedule or the GOL before lodging an Expression of Interest (EOI).

Eligibility Criteria For Western Australia State Nomination

Western Australia’s state nomination program follows a clear set of general and occupation‑specific rules.

Age And Occupation Requirements

• Applicants must be under 45 years old on the date they receive a WA invitation.

• The nominated occupation must appear on the WASMOL schedule or Graduate Occupation List that applies to the intended visa subclass.

• A positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority is mandatory for all candidates.

These three conditions form the foundation; if any one is not met, the application will likely be refused.

English Language For WA State Nomination

WA requires a minimum English‑language score unless the applicant is a citizen of the UK, Canada, New Zealand, the USA, or Ireland. The minimum scores are:

• IELTS: 6.0 in each component (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).

• OET: B grade in each component.

• TOEFL iBT: Listening 12, Reading 13, Writing 21, Speaking 18.

• PTE Academic: 50 in each component.

• Cambridge C1 Advanced: 169 in each component.

Citizens of the listed English‑speaking countries are exempt from proving English for WA State Nomination.

General Stream – WASMOL Schedule 1

Schedule 1 is the primary pathway for skilled workers whose occupations are on the WA Skilled Migration Occupation List.

Who Falls Into General Stream Schedule 1

• The occupation is currently listed on WASMOL Schedule 1.

• The applicant holds a valid positive skills assessment in that occupation.

• The applicant meets any employment or work experience criteria linked to the role.

• Applications can be lodged inside or outside Australia, depending on the occupation.

This stream is open for both Subclass 190 and Subclass 491, but Subclass 190 is usually more competitive.

Work Experience Conditions

Most applicants in Schedule 1 must show:

• At least one year of relevant work experience in the last 10 years, either in Australia or overseas.

• The work must be in the nominated occupation or a closely related field.

• The experience must be paid employment of at least 20 hours per week, earned after the relevant qualification.

This work‑experience rule helps WA ensure that nominees are genuinely skilled and job‑ready.

Contract Of Employment Rules

From 1 July 2024, certain Schedule 1 occupations can be supported by contracted employment documents, such as:

• Contracted Medical Practitioner Agreement.

• Private Practice partnership agreement.

• Locum Tenens agreement.

For a Subclass 190 visa, applicants must have a full‑time employment contract in Western Australia for at least six months from the date of nomination application. Full‑time is defined as an average of 35 hours per week; two contracts can be combined to meet this requirement.

For Subclass 491 visa applicants, the contract‑of‑employment requirement does not apply in this stream.

General Stream – WASMOL Schedule 2

Schedule 2 is designed to attract additional skilled workers who may not need as much work experience.

Work Experience And Employment

• No work experience is required for applicants in WASMOL Schedule 2.

• A contract of employment is still expected for most nominees, except for certain roles such as those in the WA building and construction industry sector and for Subclass 491 applicants.

Nominees must hold a full‑time contract in their nominated or closely related occupation in Western Australia for at least six months from the date of WA State Nomination application. Again, the full‑time threshold is 35 hours per week on average, with two contracts allowed to meet the requirement.

Graduate Stream For Western Australia State Nomination

The Graduate Stream is tailored to international students who studied in Western Australia and want to stay to work.

Who Qualifies For Graduate Stream

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Have completed at least one eligible qualification at a WA institution, such as a Bachelor, Honours, Graduate Diploma, Master, PhD, or VET Certificate III or higher.

• Ensure the qualification is closely related to the nominated occupation.

• Meet the Australian study requirement and align with the WA occupation list.

• Satisfy English‑language and skills‑assessment standards, where applicable.

Multiple WA qualifications can be combined to meet the study‑duration rule. However, English‑only courses do not count unless they are part of an eligible award.

Study And Institution Rules

• Study must be undertaken at a WA campus registered on CRICOS.

• Universities must be registered with TEQSA and VET providers with ASQA or WA TAC.

• The course must be full‑time, with reduced‑load study requiring formal approval.

• Credits or Recognition of Prior Learning obtained outside WA are not accepted.

• Study must be face‑to‑face, not fully online.

The rule of at least two academic years of study in Western Australia stands, and applicants must show evidence of living and studying in WA during this period.

Western Australia State Nomination Application Process

WA’s official nomination process consists of nine core steps.

1. Lodge an eligible Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.

2. Prepare all required documents, including proof of identity, skills assessment, English scores, employment contracts, and academic transcripts.

3. Receive an invitation from WA to apply for state nomination.

4. Lodge the WA State Nomination application online through the WA Migration Services portal.

5. Wait for assessment of the nomination; the current estimated processing time is 28 working days, though this can vary.

6. Receive nomination in SkillSelect, after which the visa subclass can be linked to the EOI.

7. Lodge the visa application (Subclass 190 or Subclass 491) with the Department of Home Affairs.

8. Wait for visa assessment and outcome, with checks on health, character, and legal compliance.

9. Register arrival or visa approval as required, including updating address and contact details with WA and VEM.

Why This Guide Is Important

Understanding Western Australia State Nomination 2026 criteria helps applicants avoid common mistakes such as applying for the wrong schedule, missing the work‑experience requirement, or underestimating the study‑duration rules. VEM’s experience shows that candidates who prepare early, align their occupation with the WASMOL, and meet all documentation standards are more likely to receive an invitation and secure a visa.

For anyone considering a skilled migration pathway to Western Australia, careful planning and professional guidance can make the difference between a successful application and an unnecessary delay. VEM offers tailored support for each step, from EOI preparation to visa lodgement, so skilled migrants can move forward with confidence.

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