The shortcut most WA applicants
are sitting on without knowing it
Getting nominated by Western Australia can add the points that make your visa possible - and put your occupation back on the table when the national list leaves it off. If you're aiming for a 190 or a 491, this is where it starts.
What State Nomination Actually Does for You
State nomination is Western Australia formally backing your application. When WA nominates you, two good things happen: you pick up extra points - five for the 190 or fifteen for the 491 - and you get access to WA's own occupation list, which is separate from the national one.
That second part matters more than people realise. If your job isn't on the national skilled occupation list, you might assume skilled migration is closed to you. It often isn't. WA runs its own list (WASMOL), and your occupation could be right there even when it's missing nationally. We always check it before telling anyone they're out of options.
Two Things Nomination Does
5 or 15 more points on your score
For a lot of people sitting just short of a 189 or 190 invitation, these points are the difference between waiting indefinitely and getting picked up in the next round. Fifteen points on the 491 is the biggest single boost available in the entire system - and it applies in Perth.
WA's own occupation list - separate from the national one
WASMOL includes occupations that are missing from the national MLTSSL and Core Skills lists. Some trades, some professional roles, and some specialist occupations sit on WA's list and nowhere else. If you've been told your occupation doesn't qualify nationally, don't write yourself off without checking WA's list first.
What You'll Need
- Your occupation must be on WA's list at the time you applyWASMOL is reviewed and updated. The version that matters is the current one when you apply - not what was on it when you last checked.
- A positive skills assessmentThe relevant assessing authority needs to confirm your qualifications and experience meet Australian standards for your occupation.
- 65 base points, competent English, under 45The base skilled migration requirements still apply. Nomination adds to your score on top of - not instead of - these.
- Any WA-specific conditions for your occupationSome pathways require a WA job offer or local work experience. Requirements vary by occupation and stream and change over time. We confirm the current ones before you commit.
190 or 491: how WA nomination differs
WA can nominate you for either visa. The right one depends on your score and your timeline, not on which sounds better. Here is how the two compare on the points that matter.
| Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa | Subclass 491 Skilled Work (Regional) visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Nomination points | +5 points [WA state] | +15 points [regional] - the largest boost in the points system |
| Residence type | Permanent from grant | Provisional for 5 years, with a pathway to permanent residence via the Subclass 191 visa |
| Where you live and work | Anywhere in WA | A designated regional area - Perth currently counts as regional, so the regional boost applies in the city |
| Occupation list | WASMOL (WA's own list), checked against the national lists | WASMOL (WA's own list), checked against the national lists |
| Path to PR | Already permanent | Meet the 191 requirements (generally around three years of regional living and an income test), then apply for the 191 |
| Visa processing | Generally around 8 to 12 weeks from EOI to invitation, depending on WA capacity and your occupation | Generally around 4 to 8 months once lodged, depending on your case |
WASMOL is the WA Skilled Migration Occupation List. Some trades and professional roles sit on it even when they are missing from the national MLTSSL or Core Skills lists, which is why an occupation that looks closed nationally can still be open through WA. WA reviews and updates the list over time, so the version that counts is the current one when you apply. Have your occupation checked against WASMOL.
There are two separate steps - the WA nomination and the visa application - and the charges and processing times for each move over time and depend on your occupation and stream. We do not publish a flat fee, because the right figure depends on your circumstances. We quote in writing once we have looked at your case. See how we quote. Nomination is decided by WA on its own criteria and is never guaranteed.
The graduate stream recognises that you've already put down roots here. If you finished at UWA, Curtin, Murdoch, ECU or Notre Dame, this can be a smoother route to a 190 or 491 than the general pathway. See how WA study turns into permanent residence.
Common Questions
The visas WA nomination unlocks
190 Skilled Nominated
Permanent residence with five extra points for being nominated. The quicker route to PR if your score is close but not there yet.
About the 190491 Skilled Work Regional
The big one. Pair nomination with the regional boost and watch your score climb. Leads to permanent residence via the 191.
About the 491Graduate Stream
WA study can mean a smoother nomination path to a 190 or 491. See how study in Perth becomes permanent residence.
Study to PRWritten 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.
Let's check whether WA will back you.
It all comes down to your occupation and the current WA list. Tell us your details and we'll tell you honestly whether nomination is on the table - and what it does for your score.