Skilled migration visas
in Perth and Western Australia.
If you've got skills Australia needs, there's a good chance there's a permanent residence visa with your name on it. Being in Perth might just work in your favour.
Perth counts as regional for the 491 - that's +15 points. For a lot of people, that's the gap between waiting and being invited.
See how it works →Which skilled visa is right for you?
Skilled migration runs on a points test. The visa you go for depends on your score, whether you can get nominated, and where you'll live.
| Visa | Suits you if… | Type | The catch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 189 Skilled Independent | Have a high score and want PR with no strings | Permanent | Need a strong score to get invited | About the 189 → |
| 190 Skilled Nominated | Can get nominated by WA for an extra +5 points | Permanent | You commit to living in that state | About the 190 → |
| 491 Skilled Work Regional | Will live and work regionally - Perth counts | Provisional | 5 years regional before the 191 | About the 491 → |
| 191 Permanent Residence | Already hold a 491 and have met the conditions | Permanent | Need 3 years on a 491 first | About the 191 → |
| 858 National Innovation | Have an exceptional record in your field | Permanent | Invitation only - high bar | About the 858 → |
Every skilled visa we handle.
Skilled Independent
Permanent residence on your own merit. No sponsor, no nomination, no conditions on where you live.
About the 189 → Subclass 190Skilled Nominated
Get nominated by Western Australia and pick up an extra 5 points. A great option if your score needs a lift.
About the 190 → WA AdvantageSubclass 491Skilled Work Regional
+15 points, and Perth counts as regional. A five-year visa that leads straight to permanent residence via the 191.
About the 491 → Subclass 191Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)
The finish line for 491 holders. Once you've lived regionally and met the income requirement, permanent residence is yours. No points test. No age limit.
About the 191 → Subclass 858National Innovation
For people at the top of their field. An outstanding record in research, business or a profession. Invitation only.
About the 858 → Subclass 476Recognised Graduate
Finished an engineering degree in the last two years? 18 months work rights, no job offer, no skills assessment needed.
About the 476 →Four steps. Get them right and the rest follows.
You need a skilled occupation
Your job has to be on the relevant skilled occupation list. If it's not on the national list, WA runs its own - your occupation might be on that even when it's missing nationally.
You need a positive skills assessment
An assessing authority for your occupation has to confirm your qualifications and experience meet Australian standard. This step trips a lot of people up - getting the paperwork right first time matters.
You need to score enough points
Age, English, qualifications, work experience - all add up to a points score. You need at least 65 to enter the pool, but in practice you'll usually need more to get invited.
Perth and WA count as regional for the 491, adding 15 points. For many people, that's the difference between waiting and being invited.Lodge an Expression of Interest, then wait for an invitation
You put your score into SkillSelect and, if it's high enough, get invited to apply. Once invited, the clock starts on a full application - and that's where the real work is.
Where Perth gives you an edge.
A state or regional nomination can lift your score, and the visa you choose shapes how long the process generally runs. These figures are state and regional, not national, and processing times move with demand.
Which skilled visa fits?
Work down these questions to narrow your options. Most people land on one or two pathways - the calculator and an assessment confirm which is realistic for your score.
Look at the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa. Permanent residence on your own merit, no sponsor and no condition on where you live. You need a competitive score to be invited. About the 189.
Your score may need a lift from a state or regional nomination - keep going.
The Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa may suit. WA nomination adds five points (a state figure) and grants permanent residence, in return for settling in the state. About the 190, or see WA state nomination.
The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional visa adds fifteen points (a regional figure), and Perth currently counts as regional. It is a provisional visa that leads to permanent residence. About the 491.
The Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa is the next step. Once you have held a 491 and met the regional residence and income requirements, you move to permanent residence with no fresh points test. About the 191.
Stay the course on your 491 conditions - we can map the remaining time and income evidence with you.
The Subclass 858 National Innovation visa may apply. It is invitation only, for people with an outstanding record in research, business or a profession, and it has no points test. There is no fixed minimum investment or net worth - eligibility is individually assessed. About the 858.
Run the numbers first. Calculate your points, then book an assessment to test which pathway is realistic.
Skilled migration questions.
Written and reviewed by Brian Chan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2217857)
Visa Store Australia, Perth · Last reviewed June 2026 · Verify on the MARA register · General information only, not personal migration advice.
Not sure where you land?
That's normal. Tell us your situation and we'll point you to the right visa - honestly, even if it's not what you hoped.