Western Australia – 190, 491 visa

Perth, the fourth biggest city of Australia, is the capital of Western Australia. Comparing to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Perth is more peaceful with an efficient public transportation system and inexpensive accommodation options and food. For international students, Perth has so much to offer: world class education, high standards of living but more affordable than many other study destinations, most multicultural state in Australia, and plenty of part-time work. With some changes to the State Migration requirements for visa 190 and 491 in recent years, Western Australia is considered an attractive place to settle in.

Highlight of the Western Australia Migration program:

• All of Western Australia is considered regional for visa 491.
• 70 points for visa 190 and 65 points for visa 491 (on 30 April 2020 invitation round)
• The 2-year study requirement in Western Australia includes English language programs.
• If both visa 190 and 491 are chosen in EOI, nomination for visa 491 will be issued as you have more points for visa 491.
• All applications will be ranked in accordance with the highest EOI points score, your level of education and then the EOI submission date.
• There are two occupation lists: Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List and Graduate Occupation List.

General Stream – Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL):

If your occupation is on the WASMOL, you can apply for the State nomination when you meet all the below requirements:

• Meet all Department of Home Affairs requirements: under 45 years of age, positive skills assessment, at least 65 EOI points, at least IELTS 6.0.
• Have at least 5 points for job experience claimed in your EOI. In order to achieve this, you need 1 year Australian experience or 3 years overseas experience in your nominated occupation.
• Provide a contract of employment in your nominated (or closely related) occupation for full time employment (35h/week) in WA, for at least 12 months from the date of your State nomination application. It is possible to use two contracts of employment to make up the 35 hours.
• Demonstrate sufficient funds: $20,000 (single), $30,000 (couple) and $5,000 for every additional dependant.

Graduate Stream – Graduate Occupation List:

If you are a WA graduate and your occupation is on the Graduate Occupation List, you can apply for the State nomination when you meet all the requirements below:

• Meet all Department of Home Affairs requirements: under 45 years of age, positive skills assessment, at least 65 EOI points, at least IELTS 6.0
• Your qualification has to be a university or higher education qualification, including PhD, Masters, Bachelor or higher degree (Bachelor of Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma); and/or a VET qualification at a Certificate III level or above.
• Study in WA for at least 2 years. You can study university/higher education, VET (Certificate III level), and/or English language programs.
• Study at approved universities and VET institutions.
• Meet the work experience or employment contract requirement. You can choose either at least 6 months Australian work experience or 6 months contract of employment in your nominated (or closely related) occupation in WA. If you choose Australian work experience, you need to show that you work at least 20 hours per week after you graduate and include the details in your EOI. If you have contract of employment, it has to be for full-time employment (35 hours per week) and has at least 6 months remaining from the date of your State nomination application.
• Demonstrate sufficient funds: $20,000 (single), $30,000 (couple) and $5,000 for every additional dependant.

***Note: If your occupation is under review, there is a limit in the number of invitations for that occupation. In the latest invitation round on 30 April 2020, occupations under review with EOI points are shown below.

(Source: Government of Western Australia website)