Western Australia 2025–26 State Nomination Program: New Rules for Skilled Migrants

Western Australia Announces 2025-26 Skilled Migration Rules

Perth, Western Australia – 2025:
The Western Australian (WA) Government has released the new rules for the 2025–26 State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP). This program helps skilled workers move to WA to live and work through state nomination.

If you get nominated by WA, you’ll earn extra points on the Australian Government’s points test for these visas:

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) – you get +5 points
   
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – you get +15 points
   

Main Highlights of the 2025–26 Program

The new program keeps many popular features from last year, such as:

• Equal opportunity for both interstate and overseas applicants.
   
• Priority invitations for people in critical WA industries like construction, healthcare, and education.
   
• Reduced work experience requirements for construction-related jobs.
   
• More flexible job offer rules under the General Stream (WASMOL Schedule 1).
   
• Priority invitations for trades in the building and construction sector.
   
• Reintroduction of a $200 application fee.
   

Who Can Apply

There are two main ways to apply:

1. General Stream

For skilled professionals with occupations listed in the WA Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL) – Schedule 1 or 2.

2. Graduate Stream

For international students who finished their vocational or higher education qualifications in WA, and whose occupation appears on the Graduate Occupation List (GOL).

Note: Being on the list doesn’t guarantee a job or nomination. WA gives priority based on workforce demand, and these lists are updated often.

To qualify, you must meet both:

• The Department of Home Affairs visa requirements, and
   
• The WA State nomination criteria.
   

Eligible Visas for WA Nomination

You can apply for state nomination under:

• Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated visa
   
• Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
   

Applicants in building and construction roles may not need a full-time employment contract.

Invitation Rounds

Invitations are usually sent once a month. Your Expression of Interest (EOI) will be ranked based on:

1. Where you live – in WA, another state, or overseas.
    
2. Priority industries, including:
    
   • Building and construction
      
   • Healthcare and social assistance
      
   • Hospitality and tourism
      
   • Education and training
      
3. Your total EOI points
    
4. The date your EOI was submitted (older EOIs are considered first)
    

Up to 75% of Graduate Stream nominations will go to university graduates, and 25% to VET graduates.

How to Apply

Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Lodge your Expression of Interest (EOI).
    
2. Gather your supporting documents.
    
3. Wait for an invitation.
    
4. Submit your WA State nomination application.
    
5. Wait for assessment and outcome.
    
6. If approved, WA will nominate you in SkillSelect.
    
7. Then lodge your visa application.
    
8. Wait for visa assessment and approval.
    
9. Once approved, register your arrival or visa approval with WA Migration Services.
    

Processing time for complete (“decision-ready”) applications is around 28 working days.

Check Your Eligibility

Before you apply:

• Make sure your occupation is listed on the WASMOL Schedule 1 or 2, or on the Graduate Occupation List (GOL).