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Western Australia remains a prime destination for skilled migrants, driven by a strong demand to fill critical workforce gaps across sectors like mining, building and construction, healthcare, and hospitality. The information and data below are based on the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs’ Temporary Resident (Skilled) report, which is current as of 30 June 2025. This report provides valuable insights for employers
As of 30 June 2025, Western Australia had granted 10,720 primary skilled visa applications, representing a notable increase of 16.2% compared to the same period in the previous year. This growth underscores the state's ongoing need for skilled workers and skilled migrants to support its key industries and regional development.
This robust skilled migration program offers a clear pathway for skilled migrants and eligible international students to contribute to the Western Australian economy. For those seeking permanent residency, the data is certainly encouraging and shows a strong demand for skilled professionals across a wide range of occupations.
According to the report, demand for skilled workers remains high across several key WA industry sectors:
The top nominated occupations for primary applications granted in the 2024–25 programme year to date reflect strong demand in trades and healthcare.
This data shows a clear pattern in the types of skilled migrants the Government of Western Australia is seeking to hire. The State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) is a key tool for addressing these specific industry needs and offering a skilled migration pathway for eligible applicants.
The top citizenship countries for primary applications granted in Western Australia demonstrate a diverse intake of skilled migrants from all over the world. These include:
This data highlights Western Australia's continued appeal to a global pool of skilled workers. It is a testament to the state's vibrant economy and the strong job opportunities available.
For prospective visa applicants, aligning your occupation, skills, and personal goals with the right visa stream can significantly improve your chances of securing a nomination and achieving permanent residency.
This is a permanent residency pathway for skilled workers who receive a nomination from the Western Australian government. To be eligible, visa applicants must have a nominated occupation identified on the state's current list and satisfy all other eligibility criteria, including a valid skills assessment and meeting competent English language requirements.
Australian Migration Lawyers can help assess your eligibility for this visa subclass and guide you through the state nomination application form, including the Australian Government’s points test. This pathway is particularly appealing for those who wish to live in Perth or other major Western Australian cities.
This is a five-year provisional visa designed for skilled workers who are prepared to live and work in designated regional areas of Western Australia. This pathway offers a clear route to permanent residency after fulfilling specific regional work and residence requirements. It provides an excellent opportunity for interstate and overseas candidates and those seeking opportunities outside of major metropolitan centres.
The Subclass 491 visa also offers a pathway to permanent residency, which can be an attractive option for many skilled migrants. Australian Migration Lawyers can provide further information on securing a Western Australian visa nomination under this provisional visa stream.
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If you are interested in getting more information about a visa, get in touch with Australian Migration Lawyers for a consultation.
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It is important to note that the data in this report also highlights the significance of employer sponsorship. In fact, the Temporary Resident (Skilled) Report shows that Employer-Sponsored visas are the most common pathway for skilled workers transitioning from temporary visas to permanent residency, with 24,680 grants in the 2024-25 period. If you have a job offer in the state, this can be a very strong pathway to secure your future. Employer-sponsored visas can offer a direct route to permanent residency for skilled migrants who have a job offer in Western Australia. The visa application process for these pathways can be complex, and seeking professional immigration assistance is often a wise choice.
The Australian Government’s points test is a crucial part of the skilled visa application process. Your total points score depends on factors like your age, English language ability, work experience, and educational qualifications. You might be able to claim extra points for a state or territory nomination or if your partner has certain skills.
A valid skills assessment is a core requirement for subclasses 190 and 491, as it proves that your skills and qualifications meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation. This assessment is conducted by a relevant assessing authority, which is approved by the Department of Home Affairs.
Our team at Australian Migration Lawyers can help you navigate this complex process and assist with all aspects of your skilled visa nomination application.
A valid skills assessment is a mandatory requirement for both the Subclass 190 and 491 visas. This assessment, conducted by an approved assessing authority, verifies that your skills and qualifications meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation. You will need to provide evidence supporting your claims in your EOI and visa application. You should be prepared to respond promptly if an invitation to apply is issued, as the timeframe is typically very short.
Your skilled employment is a critical component of your nomination application. For many applicants, they must meet a six months' work experience requirement in their nominated occupation or a closely related occupation to be deemed skilled. This work experience should be at a skill level of 1, 2, or 3, according to the ANZSCO unit group classification. A qualifying employer is one who can support your claims, and you will need to provide evidence to support your application.
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With ongoing demand across mining, building and construction, health, and hospitality, Western Australia offers strong skilled migration opportunities. To be eligible for state nomination, applicants generally need a positive skills assessment for their nominated occupation identified on the relevant list and must provide evidence that they meet all criteria, including for competent English language.
A successful application process for a skilled visa requires careful attention to all legal requirements and supporting documentation. Australian Migration Lawyers offers expert assistance to ensure your application is prepared accurately and comprehensively, strengthening your case for a favourable outcome and helping you take the first steps toward building your future in Western Australia.
To provide a complete picture of skilled migration, it is useful to consider all available pathways. Although this page details opportunities for state nomination, the report confirms that Employer Sponsored visas are the most frequently used pathway for skilled workers. Our team at Australian Migration Lawyers can help you assess your eligibility for all skilled visa streams, including employer sponsorship, and guide you on the best skilled migration pathway for your circumstances.
Western Australia offers several state-nominated visa pathways for skilled workers. These generally fall into two main categories:
Securing a Western Australian state nomination is not always straightforward. Here is a breakdown of the key criteria you will need to meet:
If you are an eligible international student who has completed vocational education or a higher degree at a WA educational institution, you may be eligible for a graduate stream nomination. This provides a direct path for graduates to secure a provisional or permanent visa.
The Western Australian Graduate Stream is a skilled migration pathway for international students who have completed their higher education or vocational education in the state. To be eligible, you must have completed at least two academic years of full-time study at a WA accredited educational institution and be able to demonstrate that you have the relevant qualifications.
This is a fantastic opportunity for eligible international students to transition from their Australian student visa to a permanent visa. Australian Migration Lawyers can assist you in determining if your WA qualifications meet the requirements, including any prior learning or advanced standing you may have been granted.
We can also help you understand how different WA qualifications, from a graduate diploma to a master's degree or a bachelor honours degree, can affect your eligibility and points score.
For many skilled migrants seeking a skilled nominated visa, providing evidence of a suitable employment contract is crucial. You must demonstrate that you have been offered full-time employment in your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation for a minimum of six months in Western Australia.
The employment contract must meet specific Home Affairs requirements and include details such as your job title, duties performed, and your salary. If you are a sole trader or have a private practice partnership agreement, additional evidence will be required.
Our team can help you check if your employment contract meets the requirements and provide further information on how to provide evidence of your paid employment in Western Australia.
The Government of Western Australia has launched the Construction Visa Subsidy Programme (CVSP) to support the building and construction sector. This initiative provides financial assistance for overseas candidates to migrate and work in Western Australia.
Under this programme, eligible applicants may have their visa application costs reimbursed, making it more affordable to move to the state. The CVSP is a key part of the Western Australian strategy to address the critical demand for skilled workers in this important industry.
We can provide advice on whether your nominated occupation identified on the relevant list is eligible for this programme and assist you with the application process.
Beyond the core requirements, candidates for state nomination must also be aware of additional state nomination criteria. The application process for a state-nominated visa can be complex, and it is important to provide all necessary documentation. This can include copies of your passport, birth certificate, and other identity documents. Your expression of interest (EOI) must be kept up to date with the most accurate information. The Western Australian government has a ranking system in place to prioritise invitations, which can depend on factors like your EOI points score and the date of your EOI submission. This is especially true for general stream EOI candidates.
In some cases, the Government of Western Australia may apply visa subclass caps, which can affect the number of invitations issued in a particular round. For eligible applicants, it is crucial to stay informed about the latest news and announcements from the WA state government regarding skilled migration invitations. The WA Migration Services division of the Department of Training and Workforce Development is responsible for managing these invitations. From our experience, we know that the state government aims to issue prioritised invitations to candidates that meet all the above requirements and have a higher EOI points score.
To be successful in your application, you must provide a range of documents. These include:
If you are relying on a job offer, your employment contract must be robust. It must include your job title, full names of both the employer and the employee, business details, and a clear description of your duties performed. It is also important that the contract specifies your gross and net pay, leave entitlements, and other conditions of your employment. This is particularly important for those in the health care sector with a contracted medical practitioner agreement or those in the education sector with similar employment contracts.
Australian Migration Lawyers can help you ensure that your employment contracts meet all the requirements and provide advice on what other evidence is needed, such as payslips or bank statements, to demonstrate paid employment. We have the relevant tools to help you gather all the information provided and prepare a comprehensive application for your chosen stream.
Strategising your Western Australian skilled migration journey is paramount. Contact Australian Migration Lawyers today for tailored support for your Western Australian visa nomination and take the next crucial step towards securing a permanent visa and building your future in Australia. Whether you are applying from within Australia or overseas, our team can provide comprehensive advice on eligible occupations, points criteria, and nomination processes. We are well-versed in the intricacies of state and territory nominations and can offer clarity on various visa subclasses and other requirements.
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