State Nomination for Australian Visas

State nomination streams

You can be nominated through one of two streams.
1. The general stream WASMOL schedule 1: If you have an available occupation on the WA skilled migration occupation list schedule 1 eligible for the intended visa subclass and can meet the additional requirements. Visit the General stream WASMOL schedule 1 requirements page or see the below table for more information.
2. The general stream WASMOL schedule 2: If you have an available occupation on the WA skilled migration occupation list schedule 2 eligible for the intended visa subclass and can meet the additional requirements. Visit the General stream schedule 2 requirements page or see the below table for more information.
3. The graduate stream: If you gained a Certificate III or higher qualification in WA and have an available occupation on the Graduate Occupation List eligible for the intended visa subclass and can also meet the additional requirements. Visit the Graduate stream requirements page or see the below table for more information

Applicants who have a nominated occupation identified on the Western Australian skilled migration occupation list (WASMOL) or Graduate occupation list (GOL) may be eligible for Western Australian State nomination using one of the following visa subclasses:

• Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190)

This permanent visa allows you to live and work in all areas of WA.  Visit the Home Affairs website for more information on the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190). Information on the requirements to be nominated by Western Australia can be found on the General stream WASMOL schedule 1 requirements page, the General stream WASMOL schedule 2 requirements page or the Graduate stream requirements page of our website. Information on the application process can be found on the How to apply for State nomination page.

• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

This is a five year provisional visa for skilled workers.
This visa allows you to live in regional Australia. Currently all of WA is considered regional. Visit the Department of Home Affairs website for more information on the subclass 491 visa.
Information on the requirements to be nominated by WA can be found on the General stream WASMOL schedule 1 requirements page, the General stream WASMOL schedule 2 requirements page or the Graduate stream requirements page of our website.
The WASMOL is available to applicants who intend to use the general stream. The GOL is available for applicants who intend to use the graduate stream.
To determine your eligibility to apply, consult the Criteria for State nomination.

• Regional WA only – Specific Occupations List

Candidates nominating for occupations that are designated ‘Regional Western Australia only’ in the General or Graduate stream must provide evidence of a job offer/contract of employment in a location defined by the Commonwealth as Category 3 – Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas (not Perth and Mandurah). These include the following areas by postcodes: 6041 to 6044, 6084, 6207, 6213, 6215 to 6537, and 6560 to 6770.

Small businesses account for 95% of all businesses in the State and employ around a third of its labour force. The majority of business people will first enter Western Australia on a four year Provisional Business Visa. After successfully managing a business or investment here, you may be eligible to apply for a Permanent Business Visa. New applicants seeking State nomination must demonstrate that they have submitted a realistic and feasible business proposal based on research and the current Western Australian economy. In addition, they will need to show how their Western Australian business or investment activity will contribute to the State’s economy through the:

• value of net business and personal assets in Western Australia.
• creation of new employment and retention of existing employees.
• expansion of trade in Western Australian goods and/or services
• development of export markets for Western Australian products and/or services or the replacement of imports.
• introduction of new skills, expertise, technologies, or innovations.
• business investment in a regional area of Western Australia.

Most small businesses in Western Australia are in the following industries:

• construction;
• agriculture, forestry and fishing;
• finance and insurance services;
• transport, postal and warehousing; and
• retail trade

Greater consideration will be given to applications that:

• commit a significant amount of new capital investment
• generate skilled employment or a large number of new jobs
• develop export markets or replace imports
• introduce new skills, expertise, technologies or innovations
• locate the business activity in a regional area
• have a significant flow-on effect to other sectors of the economy

The following provisional and permanent business visas require nomination from the Government of Western Australia. Western Australia Policy guidelines for each of these visas must be met
Visa 188 Business Innovation and Investment – Business Innovation Stream*
There are no minimum or maximum State nomination criteria requirements for State nomination of a visa subclass 188 business innovation stream.
Applicants must:

• submit a business proposal with their visa subclass 188 application which includes a detailed budget with costings to substantiate the net assets in business, new employment and total net assets in Western Australia for inclusion in their State nomination agreement for their visa subclass 888 application
• the business proposal must clearly demonstrate how the business will contribute positively to the Western Australian economy and create jobs
• applicants and any family members (dependents) residing in Australia are required to live, work and/or study in Western Australia.

Visa 188 Business Innovation and Investment – Investor Stream*
Applicants must:

• propose net assets of at least $2.5 million invested in complying investments as specified by the DHA
• agree to re-invest the $2.5 million complying investments into any Western Australian assets, upon maturity of the complying investment
• applicants and any family members (dependents) residing in Australia are required to live, work and/or study in Western Australia.

Visa 188 Business Innovation and Investment – Significant Investor Stream*
Applicants must:

• propose net assets of at least $5 million invested in complying investments as specified by the DHA
• agree to re-invest the $5 million complying investments into any Western Australian assets, upon maturity of the complying investment
• applicants and any family members (dependents) residing in Australia are required to live, work and/or study in Western Australia.