Western Australia Invitation Rounds Explained
How WA’s State Nominated Migration Program actually invites people — the occupation lists, the rounds, and where you really stand.
WA invites against its own occupation lists through its State Nominated Migration Program. If your occupation is on the relevant WA list and you meet the criteria, WA has historically been one of the more accessible states — especially across health, construction and trades.
- WA runs General and Graduate streams, each with its own WA occupation list.
- Being on the WA list is the gate — points then determine competitiveness within it.
- WA offers 190 (permanent) and 491 (regional WA, +15 points).
- Demand has been strong in health, construction, mining-adjacent trades and engineering.
Quick Answer
Western Australia invites skilled migrants against its own General and Graduate occupation lists through the WA State Nominated Migration Program, for the permanent 190 (+5) and regional WA 491 (+15). Being on the relevant WA list is the gate; points then decide competitiveness. For listed occupations — especially in health, trades and construction — WA is often comparatively accessible.
Will WA invite you?
Tap what fits to see how WA’s program responds.
List first, points second
WA’s program is occupation-list led. Before anything else, your nominated occupation must appear on the relevant WA list (General or Graduate). That single fact decides whether WA is even an option for you.
Once you’re eligible, WA issues invitations through rounds, and within the eligible pool your points and profile determine how quickly you’re picked up. WA has periodically expanded its lists in response to workforce shortages, which is why a “no” one year can become a “yes” the next.
The WA picture
WA’s State Nominated Migration Program, the General and Graduate occupation lists, and current round information are published by the WA Government. Confirm your occupation is listed before lodging — lists are updated periodically.
WA Government — State Nominated Migration Program →From EOI to WA nomination
Confirm occupation + skills assessment
Verify your occupation is on a WA list and obtain a positive skills assessment.
EOI + WA application
Submit your SkillSelect EOI and apply to the WA program under the right stream.
Invitation round
WA invites eligible candidates through its rounds; competitiveness reflects points and profile.
Lodge visa
On nomination, lodge the 190 or 491 with full documentation.
Where do your points land for WA?
Build your score and see your competitiveness — then add a WA 190 (+5) or regional 491 (+15).
WA 190 vs regional 491
Perth-eligible permanent residency, or the regional WA route with more points?
The +15 points lift you to 85, dramatically improving invitation odds. Live & work regional for 3 years, then convert to permanent residency via the 191.
Indicative guidance, not a points assessment. Cut-offs vary by occupation and round — a MARA agent confirms your real position.
Key Takeaways
- WA runs General and Graduate streams, each with its own WA occupation list.
- Being on the WA list is the gate; points then decide competitiveness within it.
- WA offers the 190 (permanent, Perth-eligible) and the 491 (+15) everywhere outside Perth metro.
- Demand has been strong in health, construction, trades and engineering.
- Lists are updated periodically — an occupation off the list one year can return.
Ask MIOS about WA
Context-aware, supervised by a MARA-registered agent.
Expert Commentary
In WA the first question is binary: is your occupation on the list or not? Everything else is secondary. I’ve had clients written off elsewhere who were quietly competitive in WA because their code was listed — and WA graduates in particular under-use the stream built for them. Check the current lists before you assume it’s closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
For listed occupations, WA has often been comparatively accessible, particularly in health, trades and construction. But it is entirely occupation-list dependent — if you’re not listed, WA isn’t an option regardless of points.
For the 491, regional WA is everywhere in the state outside the Perth metropolitan area — a large area covering most of WA.
Periodically, in response to workforce needs. An occupation absent one year can be added later, so it’s worth re-checking rather than assuming a permanent “no”.
Ready to act on this? Talk to the right team.
Prefer a local agent? Talk to your city team.
Turn this intelligence into your plan.
Have a registered agent confirm whether your occupation is on a WA list right now and whether WA invites you faster than the alternatives.