Skilled Migration toWestern Australia
WA Skilled Migration Program has been one of the most consistent and transparent ones among all states. Here you will find about all three WA streams, two visa subclasses, WA-specific eligibility rules, published invitation round data, and everything you need to build a competitive profile.
LAST UPDATED MAY 2026
PROGRAM YEAR 2025-26
SNMP : OPEN
MONTHLY INVITATION ROUNDS
7,955 INVITATIONS ISSUED TO DATE
7,955
INVITATIONS ISSUED
2025-26 to date (as at March 2026)
3
STREAMS AVAILABLE
General Schedule 1, 2 & Graduate
65
INVITATION CUT-OFF POINTS
For multiple occupations
28
DAYS TO LODGE APPLICATION
Days after receiving invitation
● Program Status - Open | May 2026
Western Australia's 2025-26 State Nominated Migration Program is open and actively issuing invitations. Monthly rounds are ongoing. The most recent invitation round in March 2026 issued 2,200 invitations across all streams. Unlike some states, WA treats onshore interstate and offshore overseas applicants equally in ranking you do not need to be in WA to receive an invitation, though WA residency provides a priority ranking advantage.
THREE STREAMS, FOUR SUB-STREAMS
Understanding WA's Nomination Streams
Unlike most states which offer a single general pathway, Western Australia operates distinct streams with separate occupation lists, different eligibility requirements, and independent ranking queues. Choosing the right stream for your profile is the most important strategic decision you will make.
GENERAL STREAM
WASMOL Schedule 1
Work experience + employment contract required for 190
This is the primary skilled worker pathway.
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Requires at least 1 year of paid work experience in your nominated occupation either in Australia or overseas (not combined).
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The subclass 190 requires a full-time WA employment contract of at least 6 months; subclass 491 does not require the employment contract.
1 YEAR WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT (190)
NO CONTRACT FOR 491
OPEN : MONTHLY ROUNDS
GENERAL STREAM
WASMOL Schedule 2
Employment contract required for 190; no work experience needed
Schedule 2 carries a different, often shorter occupation list than Schedule 1. Targeted at occupations in specific WA priority industry sectors are listed for this stream.
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No minimum work experience requirement
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Subclass 190 still requires a 6-month full-time WA employment contract; subclass 491 does not.
NO WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT (190)
NO CONTRACT FOR 491
OPEN : MONTHLY ROUNDS
GRADUATE STREAM
Higher Education Graduates
PhD, Masters, Honours, Bachelor - 2 years WA study, on campus
For international graduates of WA universities or higher education providers. Accounts for up to 75% of Graduate stream nominations.
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No work experience or employment contract required.
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Qualification level is a key ranking factor - PhDs and Masters rank above Bachelor degrees.
NO WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
NO CONTRACT FOR 491
87 WEEKS WA STUDY
OPEN : UP To 75% OF GRAD PLACES
GRADUATE STREAM
VET Graduates
Certificate III or above - 2 yrs WA study, on campus
For international graduates of WA-accredited vocational and training institutions. Certificate III level or above required. Accounts for up to 25% of Graduate stream nominations.
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No work experience or contract required.
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Advanced Diploma holders rank above Diploma and Certificate III/IV.
NO WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
NO EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
87 WEEKS WA STUDY
OPEN : UP To 75% OF GRAD PLACES
📄 What Your Employment Contract Must Include
WA strictly assesses employment contracts. Your contract must include: full employer and employee names; start date (within 3 months of lodgement if not yet commenced); end date if fixed-term; ANZSCO code and job description; salary, hours, leave and superannuation terms no less favourable than Australian equivalent; WA location of employment; a statement that work will not be contracted out to a third party; and must be drafted by the employer, not the employee. Sole trader and self-employed contracts are generally not accepted.
General Stream: What WA requires
General stream requirements in WA are substantially different to other states. The most significant differences are the employment contract requirement for Subclass 190 applicants, the work experience rule under Schedule 1, and the strict rules around what contracts are and are not accepted.
1
Nominated occupation on WASMOL - Schedule 1 or 2 : Your nominated occupation (as listed in your skills assessment) must appear on the WA Skilled Migration Occupation List; either Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 and must be eligible for your intended visa subclass. The WASMOL is updated periodically to reflect WA workforce needs. Always check the current list before submitting your EOI.
2
WA residency - 3 continuous months for priority ranking : You do not need to live in WA to apply. However, if claiming WA residency as a priority ranking factor, you must have resided in WA continuously for at least 3 months immediately before your invitation date, and still be residing in WA at the time you lodge your application. Evidence requirements are strict.
Schedule 1 : Additional Requirements
1 year work experience in nominated occupation (Schedule 1 Only) : Must have at least 1 year of Australian work experience in the nominated (or closely related) occupation in the last 10 years or, at least 1 year of overseas work experience in the last 10 years. You cannot combine Australian and overseas experience to meet this threshold. Work must be post-qualification, paid, at least 20 hours per week. Professional year programs and work placements do not count unless they meet these criteria.
Employment contract (190 only) - 6 months minimum (190 Only) : For Subclass 190 under Schedule 1, you must have a full-time employment contract in WA in your nominated occupation for at least 6 months from the date of your state nomination application. Full-time is defined as an average of 35 hours per week. Two part-time contracts can be combined to meet 35 hours. Casual contracts are not accepted. The 491 subclass has no contract requirement.
Graduate Stream: WA's Study Requirements Explained
WA's Graduate stream is one of the most tightly defined in the country. The 2-year study requirement has very specific rules around face-to-face delivery, accreditation, and what counts toward the 87-week threshold. Understanding these rules before you apply is critical.
1
At least one eligible WA qualification : You must have completed at least one of the following at an accredited WA institution: a PhD, Masters, Honours degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, or Bachelor degree or, a VET qualification at Certificate III level or above. Study from different WA qualifications can be combined to meet the 2-year requirement.
2
Studied at an accredited WA institution : The institution must have been accredited at the time of your studies, and have a physical WA campus where students study face-to-face. For universities: must be registered with TEQSA. For VET: must be registered with ASQA or WA Training Accreditation Council.
3
Full-time study only : Part-time study does not count. If any part of your full-time course was completed at a reduced study load, you must provide evidence that this was approved by your education provider. Credits, advanced standing or recognition of prior learning for study completed outside WA cannot be used to meet the 2-year requirement.
4
Face-to-face, on-campus delivery : Study must have been completed in person on a WA campus. A maximum of 25% of study can have been online - unless you were required to study online due to COVID-19 (between 1 February 2020 and 25 November 2023), in which case you must provide evidence you were enrolled as an onshore WA student at that time.
5
At least 87 weeks (2 academic years) of WA study : WA requires a minimum of 87 weeks of full-time study, measured from the start to end dates on your completion letter(s). This can span more than one qualification, and does not need to be continuous. It cannot include study completed outside Western Australia.
No work experience. No employment contract. Graduate stream applicants under both Higher Education and VET tracks have no work experience or employment contract requirements; regardless of whether they are applying for the Subclass 190 or 491.
How WA Ranks Your EOI for Invitation
WA uses a structured priority order applied consistently across all streams. Understanding this hierarchy is critical; being in WA and in a priority sector can be the difference between being invited in December and not being invited at all in the same financial year.
Priority 1
WA Residency
Residing in WA with at least 3 consecutive months residency before invitation date is the top ranking factor. WA residents are selected before all interstate and overseas applicants.
Priority 2
Building & Construction Trades
Trade occupations in WA's building and construction sector receive the highest occupation-based priority — above all other priority sectors. Special reduced employment requirements apply to B&C trades.
Priority 3
Priority Occupation Sectors
After B&C trades, the following sectors receive priority: Building & Construction (non-trades), Healthcare & Social Assistance, Hospitality & Tourism, and Education & Training.
Priority 4
EOI Points Score
Within the same occupation priority group, candidates are ranked by highest EOI points score. This is why the March 2026 data shows high thresholds (80–95 points) for WA residents in priority sectors.
Priority 5
EOI Submission Date
When two EOIs are ranked equally across all other factors, preference is given to the older submission date. Earlier submissions break ties.
Priority 6
Qualification Level (Graduates)
In the Graduate stream, after occupation priority and residency, candidates are ranked by qualification level within each group: PhD/Masters > Honours/Higher Degree > Bachelor (HE); Advanced Diploma > Diploma > Cert III/IV (VET).
The WA advantage for interstate applicants
Unlike other states explicitly excludes onshore interstate applicants; WA treats people residing outside WA (whether interstate or overseas) equally. You sit below WA residents in the ranking, but you are not excluded. If you have a high points score in a priority occupation, you can still receive an invitation from another state or country. However, invitations for interstate applicants have been limited within Health and Trade sectors.
Frequently Asked Question
My ROI is active. Should I withdraw it to prepare for 2026-27?
No. Do not withdraw unless your ROI details are materially wrong. Victoria is continuing to assess all submitted ROIs against remaining 2025-26 places and will issue invitations against those places. If you withdraw now, you cannot submit a new ROI until the 2026-27 program officially opens. Your existing ROI may still receive an invitation this financial year. Only withdraw if your circumstances - residency, occupation, earnings or personal details - have changed and the information in your ROI is now inaccurate.
I live in Melbourne but I'm applying for the 491. Is that allowed?
It depends on your exact location. If you live in metropolitan Melbourne, you are not eligible for the 491 onshore. However, certain outer Melbourne areas are designated as regional for migration purposes including Mornington Peninsula, Geelong and Pakenham. If your suburb falls within these designated regional postcodes, you qualify as living in regional Victoria. Check the Department of Home Affairs' regional postcode list before submitting.
I'm in another Australian state. Can I apply for Victoria's 190?
No. If you are onshore in Australia and not living in Victoria, Victoria will not select your ROI. This applies to all states and territories. The only exception is genuine border community residents, assessed case-by-case - but this is a narrow exception and not relied upon as a strategy. For example, applicants living in border towns such as Albury. If you are offshore (overseas), you are eligible to apply regardless of this rule.
I'm a Victorian graduate on a 485. Am I eligible for the 491 Graduates stream?
In principle, yes - provided you are currently living in Victoria (or regional Victoria for the 491), meet the points requirement, and hold a full and valid skills assessment. The critical issue is that most 485 holders only have a provisional skills assessment. Victoria does not accept a provisional assessment - you need the full assessment from your relevant skills assessing body. This is the step most 485 holders on the graduates pathway need to complete before they are eligible to apply.
What if my nomination application is refused?
If your nomination application is refused, you cannot submit a new application for six months. Common refusal reasons include: not meeting eligibility requirements; inability to provide sufficient evidence for ROI or EOI claims; discrepancies between your documentation and the claims made; or failing to respond to requests for further information in time. Get your documentation right before you submit - refusal wastes both your time and your window in that program year.
When will the 2026-27 program open?
The Victorian Government has not yet announced the 2026-27 program dates. Based on prior years, the program typically opens between August and October - once the Australian Government confirms Victoria's new annual allocation. In 2025-26, the program opened in early October 2025 and received its full allocation in late November 2025, with the first invitation round in early December 2025, but this was a slowed down openings alike for all states for this FY as government were going through policy changes. The 2026-27 program is likely to open from August. subscribe to our Newsletter to keep up to date with latest news and openings.
What if my nomination application is refused?
If your nomination application is refused, you cannot submit a new application for six months. Common refusal reasons include: not meeting eligibility requirements; inability to provide sufficient evidence for ROI or EOI claims; discrepancies between your documentation and the claims made; or failing to respond to requests for further information in time. Get your documentation right before you submit - refusal wastes both your time and your window in that program year.
STAY AHEAD OF THE 2026-27 OPENING
Victoria's program moves fast once it reopens. Be first to know when the next intake launches.
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