State Nominated Skilled visas
To apply for a State Nominated Skilled visa you must be nominated by a State or Territory such as the Government of Western Australia (WA). To be eligible for WA nomination you must meet both the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) criteria for the nominated visa and the WA criteria for State nomination.
State nomination gives you extra points on the Department of Home Affairs points test, which is automatically incorporated into your expression of interest in the Home Affairs SkillSelect database. You can be nominated for:
- the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and receive an extra five points; or
- the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) and receive an extra 15 points.
Please note that being nominated by the WA Government does not guarantee your visa will be approved by the Department of Home Affairs.
If you are nominated, or if your visa is approved you must:
- register your arrival with WA Migration Services;
- have access to sufficient funds (for at least three months) to cover settlement costs and living costs;
- live and work in Western Australia for two years upon arrival: and
- complete a settlement survey every six months for this two year period.
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
This permanent visa allows you to live and work in all areas of WA. Visit the Home Affairs website for more information on the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190).
Information on the requirements to be nominated by Western Australia can be found on the General stream requirements page or the Graduate stream requirements page of our website. Information on the application process can be found on the How to apply for State nomination page.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
This is a five year provisional visa for skilled workers who are unable to meet the criteria for a Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190).
This visa allows you to live in regional Australia. Currently all of Western Australia is considered regional. Visit the Department of Home Affairs website for more information on the subclass 491 visa.
Information on the requirements to be nominated by Western Australia can be found on can be found on the General stream requirements page or the Graduate stream requirements page of our website. Information on the application process can be found on the How to apply for State nomination page.
For more information on SkillSelect and the points test, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
For occupations which require licensing or registration before being permitted to work in Western Australia, a positive skills assessment and State nomination does not guarantee you will meet the licensing or registration requirements of the relevant licensing or registration authority. Those considering applying for Western Australian nomination are advised to check with the appropriate licensing or registration authority to verify their suitability for licensing or registration.
State nomination streams
You can be nominated through one of two streams.
1 The general stream: If you have an available occupation on the Western Australian skilled migration occupation list eligible for the intended visa subclass and can meet the additional requirements. Visit the General stream requirements page or see the below table for more information.
2 The graduate stream: If you gained a Certificate III or higher qualification in Western Australia and have an available occupation on the Graduate Occupation List eligible for the intended visa subclass and can also meet the additional requirements. Visit the Graduate stream requirements page or see the below table for more information.
Overview of stream requirements
| | General stream | Graduate stream |
| Meet Department of Home Affairs eligibility requirements for the intended visa subclass | Y | Y |
| Nominated occupation is available on the relevant list | Western Australian skilled migration occupation list (WASMOL) | Graduate occupation list (GOL) |
| Meet minimum English requirements for the nominated occupation | Y | Y |
| Work experience | A least one year Australian or three years overseas work experience in nominated (or closely related) occupation | At least six months paid Australian work experience in nominated (or closely related) occupation. OR Full time employment contract in Western Australia for a minimum of six months in the nominated (or closely related) occupation. |
| Contract of employment* | Full time employment contract in Western Australia for a minimum of 12 months in the nominated (or closely related) occupation. | |
| Have an Certificate III or above qualification from an accredited Western Australian educational institution | N | Y |
| Meet the two years Western Australian study requirement | N | Y |
| Demonstrate sufficient settlement funds | Only if you are not currently living in Western Australia | Only if you are not currently living in Western Australia |
* Excluding occupations specified as ‘Regional WA only’. Candidates nominating occupations that are designated ‘Regional WA only’ must provide evidence of a job offer/contract in a specified ‘Regional WA only’ area. Visit the Occupation Lists page for further information on occupations and areas specified under ‘Regional WA only’.
If you qualify for both the General and Graduate stream, you will be offered an invitation through the General stream in the first instance.
https://migration.wa.gov.au/services/skilled-migration-western-australia/about-state-nomination
