Western Australia State Nomination for Subclass 190 and 491: Complete Guide (2026)

The Subclass 190 visa is your ticket to permanent residency. Securing nomination from Western Australia gives you an extra 5 points towards your SkillSelect score at the time you receive your Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Pathways to consider:WA runs a few different streams. Usually, these include a General stream (split into Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 occupation lists) and a Graduate stream specifically for those who have studied locally in WA. If you're going through the General stream, you'll often need a contract of employment in WA for at least six months.

How the process works:

1. Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, and make sure you nominate Western Australia.
2. Wait to see if Migration WA invites you. They issue invitations periodically based on their own ranking criteria.
3. If you receive an invitation, you'll submit your state nomination application straight to Migration WA with all your supporting documents (like your employment contract).
4. Once WA approves your nomination, the SkillSelect system automatically issues your ITA for the 190 visa on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs.

The Subclass 491 visa is a provisional visa designed for skilled workers. If you snag WA nomination for the 491 visa, you get a handy 15 points added to your score at ITA.

The Perth Regional Advantage: One of the biggest drawcards for WA is that Perth is classified as a designated regional area for migration. This means you get to live, work, and study in a major capital city while holding a regional 491 visa. It's a massive lifestyle perk compared to some of the more remote regional visas on the east coast. Curious how it stacks up? Have a read of our 189 vs 190 vs 491 guide.

Keep in mind it's provisional: The 491 visa is valid for 5 years. It offers a clear pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa, provided you live and work in a designated regional area (like Perth or broader WA) for at least 3 years and meet all the federal requirements.

The state publishes its own Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL). It's incredibly important to check the official Migration WA website to verify if your occupation is currently on the list before making any big decisions.

• •Engineering and Resources: Thanks to the state's huge mining sector, there is consistent demand for Mining, Civil, Mechanical, and Petroleum Engineers. You can check out our Civil Engineer points guide for more details.
• •Healthcare and Medical: As with most states, there's a strong priority for Registered Nurses, medical practitioners, and allied health professionals across WA.
• •Building and Trades: WA generally sees a strong need for construction trades, including Electricians, carpenters, plumbers, and mechanics to keep up with development.
• •IT and ICT: There are definitely opportunities for Software Engineersand developers, although it's worth noting the tech scene isn't quite as large as what you'd find in Sydney or Melbourne.
• •Education:There is a steady demand for teachers, particularly if you're willing to head out to regional WA locations.

Western Australia is vast, beautiful, and economically robust. Even though Perth is famously one of the most isolated major cities in the world, it boasts an incredible lifestyle with stunning beaches and a thriving economy. Crucially, because Perth is classified as a regional area, it's arguably one of the most attractive spots for migrants wanting the 491 visa while still enjoying that "big city" feel.

If you're aiming for state nomination in WA, it's a good idea to run your details through our points calculator to see exactly how competitive your profile is right now.