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If you are considering Western Australia as your pathway to Australian permanent residency, the first question you need answered is simple: does WA actually need someone with your skills right now? The honest answer is that Western Australia runs one of the most demand-driven state nomination programs in the country and in 2026, the gap between high-demand and low-demand occupations has never been wider.
This guide breaks down exactly which occupations Western Australia is inviting right now, how many points you realistically need, and what separates an applicant who gets nominated from one who waits indefinitely.
What Is the WA Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL)?
Western Australia does not nominate skilled migrants for every occupation. It nominates for occupations the state genuinely needs, based on labour market data, and publishes this through the Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List, known as WASMOL.
WASMOL is not the same as the federal skilled occupation list used by the Department of Home Affairs. Western Australia applies its own state-specific priorities based on what its economy actually needs. Being eligible federally for a skilled visa does not automatically mean WA will consider you for state nomination your occupation must specifically appear on WASMOL.
Currently, WASMOL contains more than 600 occupations across three streams: the General Stream Schedule 1, the General Stream Schedule 2, and the Graduate Stream for international students who completed their studies in WA.
Which Occupations Are Currently Most in Demand in WA?
Based on Western Australia’s published invitation rounds throughout 2026, four occupation clusters have consistently dominated nomination activity.
Healthcare and Social Assistance
Healthcare remains WA’s single highest priority sector. Registered Nurses, General Practitioners, and a wide range of allied health occupations sit on WASMOL Schedule 1 and are consistently invited in dedicated rounds throughout the year.
| Occupation | Typical points needed (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | 75 to 85 points | Schedule 1 – consistently invited across multiple rounds |
| General Practitioner | Around 75 points | Schedule 1 – strong, steady demand |
| Aged and Disability Carer | Varies by round | High shortage, growing demand |
Building and Construction Trades
WA’s construction sector continues to drive significant demand for trade occupations, particularly with major infrastructure projects underway across the state. Trade occupations also benefit from one of WA’s most generous nomination concessions.
| Occupation | Typical points needed (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician (General) | 65 points | Lowest entry point of any major occupation |
| Carpenter | 65 points | Consistently invited, interstate and offshore applicants accepted |
| Plumber | 65 to 70 points | Strong, steady invitation activity |
| Solid Plasterer / Wall and Floor Tiler | 70 points | Slightly more competitive than other trades |
| Maintenance Planner | Up to 100 points | Highest points requirement of any WA occupation, reflecting major project demand |
Why trades are different
Applicants invited under WA’s building and construction sector occupations are not required to hold a six-month employment contract before applying for state nomination – a concession that does not apply to most other occupations. This makes trades one of the most accessible pathways into WA’s nomination program, especially for offshore and interstate applicants.
Engineering and Technical Occupations
Engineering and drafting roles show consistently strong invitation activity, particularly under the Subclass 491 regional pathway. These roles tend to sit at the higher end of WA’s points spectrum.
| Occupation | Typical points needed (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | 90 to 105 points | Strong demand, Schedule 2, competitive points requirement |
| Civil Engineering Draftsperson | Varies by round | Regularly invited under Graduate VET stream |
| Architectural Draftsperson | Varies by round | Active in Graduate VET stream invitations |
Education and Teaching
Education roles consistently receive favourable treatment in WA’s invitation rounds, particularly for applicants who completed their qualification in Western Australia.
| Occupation | Typical points needed (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Primary School Teacher | 70 to 80 points | Lower points under Graduate Higher Education stream |
| Secondary School Teacher | 70 to 80 points | Consistently favourable cut-offs |
| Early Childhood Teacher | 70 to 75 points | Strong demand, especially for WA-trained graduates |
Hospitality and Tourism
Hospitality remains an active but highly variable sector, with points requirements that shift significantly depending on which stream you apply through.
| Occupation / Stream | Typical points needed (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chef – General Stream Schedule 2 | Around 95 points | Highest points requirement among hospitality roles |
| Chef – Graduate VET stream | Around 85 points | Lower threshold for WA VET graduates |
| Chef – Graduate Higher Education stream | Around 70 points | Most accessible pathway for WA university graduates |
| Cook | Varies by round | Active in Graduate VET stream |
The single most important pattern in 2026 data
Across nearly every WA invitation round in 2026, the overwhelming majority of invitations have gone to applicants who were already living and working in Western Australia at the time of invitation. Offshore and interstate applicants are invited far less often, and almost always only within specific trade occupations. If you are serious about a WA pathway and you are currently offshore, building a presence in WA through study, a job offer, or short-term work – significantly improves your realistic chances.
How Many Points Do You Need for WA State Nomination in 2026?
There is no single answer to this question because WA does not use a flat points threshold. Points requirements vary significantly by occupation, by stream, and by whether you are currently in WA, interstate, or offshore.
That said, 2026 invitation data shows a clear pattern:
- 65 points is the realistic floor for most construction trade occupations, particularly for applicants based in WA or interstate
- 70 to 85 points is typical for healthcare, education, and many professional occupations
- 90 to 105 points is common for highly competitive Schedule 2 professional and engineering roles
- 100 points has been recorded for the most specialised, high-shortage occupations such as Maintenance Planner
The minimum legal requirement to even be considered is 65 points and a valid skills assessment but meeting the minimum is not the same as being competitive. Within any single occupation, WA invites the highest-ranked EOIs first, so your actual score needs to be assessed against current competition, not against the legal minimum.
What Is the Difference Between WASMOL Schedule 1 and Schedule 2?
| Schedule | What it covers and requires |
|---|---|
| WASMOL Schedule 1 | Typically health and medical occupations vital to WA’s healthcare system. Generally requires at least 1 year of relevant work experience and a full-time employment contract for Subclass 190 applications. |
| WASMOL Schedule 2 | A broader list spanning IT, engineering, trades, and other professional occupations. No minimum work experience requirement, and a full-time employment contract is not required for Subclass 190 unless the occupation falls within WA’s building and construction sector. |
| Graduate Occupation List (GOL) | For international students who completed at least two academic years of full-time study in Western Australia. Occupation must specifically appear on the Graduate Occupation List, separate from WASMOL. |
Does Being on the List Guarantee a 190 or 491 Invitation?
No. This is the single most misunderstood part of WA’s program. Appearing on WASMOL only makes your occupation eligible to be considered it does not guarantee an invitation.
Western Australia ranks Expressions of Interest within each occupation using a clear sequence of priorities:
First: Applicants currently residing in Western Australia
Second: Applicants offshore or in another Australian state or territory
Third: Occupations sitting within WA’s identified priority industry sectors
Fourth: All other eligible occupations not in a priority sector
For the Graduate stream specifically, WA applies an additional ranking layer based on qualification level PhD and Master’s graduates are ranked ahead of Bachelor’s graduates, and Advanced Diploma ranks ahead of Certificate III or IV within the VET pathway.
In practice, this means two applicants in the exact same occupation with the exact same points score can have very different outcomes depending on where they currently live, which stream they applied under, and whether their occupation sits within a priority sector.
How Do You Apply for WA State Nomination?
The process follows a defined sequence:
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Confirm your occupation appears on the correct WA list for your intended visa subclass WASMOL Schedule 1, Schedule 2, or the Graduate Occupation List |
| Step 2 | Complete a valid skills assessment for your occupation through the relevant assessing authority, valid at the time of lodgement |
| Step 3 | Submit your Expression of Interest through SkillSelect, scoring at least 65 points and selecting Subclass 190, 491, or both |
| Step 4 | Wait to be invited by WA based on your ranking within your occupation and stream |
| Step 5 | If invited, submit your formal state nomination application within 28 days, including all required evidence |
| Step 6 | WA assesses your application current processing time is approximately 28 working days for decision-ready applications |
| Step 7 | If nominated, Home Affairs will then invite you to apply for your visa through ImmiAccount within 60 days |
A note on the 491 vs 190 choice
If your EOI selects both Subclass 190 and 491, Western Australia typically invites you for the 491 visa first, since most applicants score higher points when regional and state nomination points are combined. You will only receive one invitation per EOI, so understanding which visa actually suits your long-term plans before you apply is important. The 491 is a five-year provisional visa requiring regional living and work commitments, leading to permanent residency through Subclass 191. The 190 grants permanent residency immediately upon grant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Western Australia occupation list the same as the federal occupation list?
No. WASMOL is entirely separate from the federal skilled occupation list used by the Department of Home Affairs. Western Australia applies its own state-specific priorities based on what its economy currently needs, which means an occupation eligible federally may not be eligible for WA state nomination, and vice versa.
Does my occupation need to be on WASMOL to apply for a 190 or 491 visa in WA?
Yes. If your occupation is not on the applicable WA list for your intended stream, WA state nomination is generally not available to you through that pathway, regardless of your points score or qualifications.
Which sectors are strongest in WA right now?
Based on 2026 invitation round data, healthcare and social assistance, building and construction, engineering and drafting, education and training, and hospitality and tourism have consistently shown the strongest invitation activity throughout the year.
Is WA still inviting applicants in 2025–26?
Yes. WA’s State Nominated Migration Program resumed ordinary invitation rounds in December 2025 after a pause from 1 July 2025, and has continued publishing regular invitation-round data throughout 2026.
Do I need a job offer to be nominated by Western Australia?
It depends on the occupation and schedule. WASMOL Schedule 1 occupations generally require a full-time employment contract for Subclass 190 applications. WASMOL Schedule 2 occupations generally do not require a contract for most occupations, except those in WA’s building and construction sector, where the contract requirement is also waived as a shortage concession.
How can I tell whether my WA pathway is realistic for my occupation?
Check whether your occupation appears on the correct WA list for your intended visa subclass, confirm you meet the eligibility requirements for that specific stream, and compare your points score against recent invitation round data for your occupation. Because WA’s requirements vary so significantly by occupation and by current residency status, the most reliable way to assess your realistic chances is a consultation with a MARA registered migration agent who can review your specific profile.
Conclusion: Is Western Australia the Right State for Your Skilled Visa?
Western Australia offers one of Australia’s most genuinely demand-driven skilled migration pathways. Unlike states that primarily rank applicants by points alone, WA actively prioritises filling real shortages in healthcare, construction, engineering, education, and hospitality. This is good news if your occupation sits within one of these priority sectors, even if your points score is not the highest in the pool.
But the 2026 data is also clear about one thing: location matters enormously. Applicants already living and working in Western Australia are invited far more often than offshore or interstate applicants, with the exception of a small number of trade occupations that receive broader consideration.
If your occupation appears on WASMOL and you are weighing up whether WA is the right state for your migration strategy, the most useful next step is an honest assessment of your specific profile your occupation, your points, your current location, and how these line up against current invitation patterns.
