Western Australia Skilled Migration 2025–26: Act Now for Your Chance
If you’re considering migrating to Australia and looking into state nomination pathways, Western Australia (WA) should be a top option. WA recently released important updates for its skilled migration program. Understanding these changes will help you prepare smarter and boost your chances of success. This guide walks you through what’s new, what it means for you—especially if you’re overseas—and what steps to take now.
What Is WA’s State Nominated Migration Program?
WA’s SNMP lets the WA Government nominate skilled workers to increase their chances of receiving permanent resident visas. Specifically:
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa: A permanent visa nomination allowing you to live and work anywhere in WA.
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa: A provisional visa for regional WA with a pathway to permanent residency.
What Is WA’s Nomination Allocation for 2025–26?
The Australian Government has given WA a small interim allocation of nomination places for the 2025–26 program year. The current interim numbers are:
3,400 nomination places for skilled migrants (a reduction of around 30% from previous years)
These places will be used to process outstanding applications from the 2024–25 program year and select some new applicants in limited invitation rounds.
WA is waiting for the Commonwealth Government to confirm its full 2025–26 allocation. Once confirmed, the program will fully open with more nomination invitations.
Why Has the Allocation Been Reduced?
WA’s allocation is lower mainly due to:
Ongoing visa processing backlogs nationally.
The Federal Government managing total migration places across all states to reduce delays and clear pending applications.
This reduction means fewer nomination places for WA in 2025–26, making the program more competitive than usual.
WA’s Priority Occupations for 2025–26
WA targets occupations closely aligned with genuine skill shortages in key sectors such as:
Construction and Building (carpenters, surveyors, electricians, plumbers)
Healthcare (nurses, medical practitioners, allied health)
Mining and Resource Engineering
Agriculture and Food Production
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Applicants with skills in these priority areas are more likely to receive nominations once the program fully reopens.
Eligibility: What You Need to Know
To be eligible for WA nomination, you must:
Have an occupation on the WA Skilled Occupation List for subclass 190 or 491 visas.
Hold a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
Achieve at least 70 points on the federal points test.
Demonstrate a genuine commitment to living and working in WA, which can include residency or work experience in the state.
Meet English language requirements.
National Snapshot: 2025–26 State and Territory Nominations
To give you a bigger picture, here’s how every Australian state and territory has performed so far this program year (as of 31 October 2025).
| State / Territory | Subclass 190 (Permanent) |
Subclass 491 (Regional) |
Total Nominations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | 85 | 80 | 165 |
| New South Wales (NSW) | 197 | 173 | 370 |
| Northern Territory (NT) | 83 | 80 | 163 |
| Queensland (QLD) | <5 | 24 | ~29 |
| South Australia (SA) | 83 | 51 | 134 |
| Tasmania (TAS) | 85 | 68 | 153 |
| Victoria (VIC) | 164 | 98 | 262 |
| Western Australia (WA) | 62 | 54 | 116 |
What this means: NSW and Victoria currently lead with the most nomination activity, while WA’s lower numbers reflect its smaller interim allocation. Once WA’s full quota is confirmed, more invitations are expected—especially for applicants in priority occupations.
Why This Matters for Offshore Applicants
Being overseas does not rule you out — but your competition will be stronger. With limited immediate places and priority for on-shore candidates, preparation is the key. If you’re ready early, you stand a much better chance when invitation rounds resume. WA still needs skilled workers, especially in regional areas, and being aligned with state needs puts you in a stronger position.
How to Get Ready
Keep your Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect updated, with accurate work experience, qualifications, and residency details.
Monitor WA Migration official channels for allocation updates and invitation rounds.
Prepare documents early, including skills assessments, English test results, employment evidence, and proof of WA residency if applicable.
Consider regional nomination pathways via subclass 491 if you’re willing to live outside the metropolitan area.
Work with a registered migration agent who knows the WA program’s nuances.
What This Means for You
The 30% reduction in WA’s nomination places means the program is more competitive this year, with fewer invitations being issued initially. However, WA remains committed to attracting skilled migrants in critical sectors to support economic growth and community needs.
If your skills match WA’s priorities and you prepare thoroughly, you still have a strong opportunity to receive a state nomination and move forward toward permanent residency.
Final Thoughts
Western Australia offers many benefits to skilled migrants—from strong job opportunities in mining and construction to a vibrant lifestyle and growing communities. While 2025–26 brings challenges like fewer nomination places and longer processing times, it also demands that applicants be strategic and well-prepared.
Keep informed, update your applications, and act early to position yourself best for WA’s skilled migration program this year.
If you need assistance or want to discuss your eligibility and options for WA nomination, please contact us today. We’re here to guide you every step of the way on your journey to a new life in Western Australia.
