Western Australia 190 or 491: Which Should You Apply For?
Western Australia nominates skilled workers for two very different visas. Here is how the state decides which one you get — and what each path means for your PR.
In short
Western Australia's State Nominated Migration Program nominates skilled workers for two visas: the permanent 190 (+5 points) and the provisional 491 (+15 points). Which one you are invited for depends on your occupation, stream and ranking — not your preference. If you are eligible for both, WA generally invites you for the 491 first. All of WA, including Perth, counts as a designated regional area for the 491.
Key facts
- Two visas, one program: the permanent 190 and the provisional 491, both state-nominated
- Points: +5 for the 190, +15 for the 491, on top of a minimum score of 65
- Regional status: all of Western Australia, Perth included, is a designated regional area for the 491
- Two streams: General, using the WA Skilled Migration Occupation List — often searched as the WA skilled occupation list — and Graduate, using the Graduate Occupation List
- Who chooses: WA does. One EOI produces one invitation, and if you are eligible for both it is usually the 491
The Core Difference: Permanent Vs Provisional
The 190 in Western Australia is a permanent visa from the day it is granted, adding 5 points. The 491 in Western Australia is provisional, valid up to five years, adds 15 points, and leads to permanent residency through the Subclass 191. Both are state-nominated, so your occupation must be on a current WA list.
| Factor | Subclass 190 (Nominated) | Subclass 491 (Regional) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent from grant | Provisional, up to 5 years |
| Points added | +5 | +15 |
| Pathway to PR | Already permanent | Via the 191, after meeting the regional residence and reporting rules |
| Where you live | Anywhere in WA (with a commitment to the state) | A designated regional area — all of WA, including Perth |
| Streams | General (WASMOL) or Graduate (GOL) | General (WASMOL) or Graduate (GOL) |
| If eligible for both | — | WA generally invites you for the 491 first (more points) |
Places, fees and program settings are set each program year — confirm the current settings on Migration WA before relying on them.
Western Australia's Two Nomination Streams
You do not pick a stream freely — your occupation and background decide it. WA nominates through two streams, and your occupation must sit on the matching list.
General Stream
For a range of occupations and industries. Eligible occupations sit on the WA Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL), split into Schedules 1 and 2. Some Schedule-1 occupations require an employment contract in WA for the 190.
Graduate Stream
For international students who completed eligible VET or higher-education study in Western Australia. Eligible occupations sit on the Graduate Occupation List (GOL). See our study-to-PR pathway if you studied in WA.
Which One Will Western Australia Invite You For?
With WA, you do not simply pick the 190. The state matches you to a visa based on your occupation, your stream, and how your Expression of Interest ranks against others in the same occupation.
Invitations go to the highest-ranking EOIs, which are ranked by points. If your EOI seeks both the 190 and the 491, WA generally invites you for the 491 first, because you usually score more points with the regional nomination. You will not receive multiple invitations from the same EOI.
Practical takeaway: your occupation, stream and ranking decide the visa — so the real question is not "190 or 491?" but "where does my occupation sit on WA's current lists, and how competitive is my EOI?" For full requirements, see our WA 190 nomination and Western Australia 491 nomination pages.
What a migration agent would tell you before you lodge the EOI
Selecting both visas in one EOI is not a hedge — it is a decision to take the 491. WA works down the ranked list and the regional nomination scores higher, so the 491 invitation is the one that arrives, and the same EOI will not then produce a 190.
That matters if permanent residence on grant is the thing you actually need: a partner whose own visa depends on yours, a citizenship timetable, or a job that may move you to Sydney or Melbourne in the next three years. In those cases, selecting only the 190 and accepting longer odds is a defensible choice. In most others, the 491 invitation is worth taking.
Western Australia 190 And 491 Requirements
The Western Australia 190 visa requirements and the Western Australia 491 requirements share a base. To be considered for WA nomination, you generally need to meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements for your intended visa, plus WA's own criteria. The WA 190 requirements and the 491 requirements overlap heavily, and the occupation list you fall on is usually what separates them.
You must be under 45 when invited, hold a positive skills assessment for an occupation on the relevant WA list, and meet at least Competent English. You also accept a commitment to live and work in Western Australia. WA prioritises candidates already living in the state, who must evidence their WA residency.
Work experience rules depend on your occupation and stream. Building and construction occupations receive reduced employment requirements, reflecting WA's demand in that sector. Confirm the current, occupation-specific rules on Migration WA before you rely on them.
How Western Australia State Nomination Works
The Western Australia state nomination process runs through SkillSelect and the Migration WA Portal. WA state nomination is the step that decides which of the two visas you are invited for, and it happens before the Department sees your application.
Step By Step
First, lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect and select Western Australia. If WA invites you, you receive an email with a link to the application form and create a Migration WA Portal profile. If your application is approved, WA nominates you in SkillSelect.
After Nomination
The Department of Home Affairs then invites you to lodge your visa application, and you have 60 days to do so. State nomination does not guarantee the visa is granted — Home Affairs assesses it against its own requirements. Once granted, you meet your commitment to live and work in WA.
Which Western Australia Candidate Are You?
The visa and stream you are likely invited for depend on your situation. Here is how the most common candidate types usually map — and where to go next.
| If you are… | Likely path | Your next step |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WA in your occupation | 190 or 491 via the General stream (WASMOL) | See the WA 190 or WA 491 requirements |
| A graduate who studied in Western Australia | 190 or 491 via the Graduate stream (GOL) | See our study-to-PR pathway |
| Offshore, with an EOI in SkillSelect | Ranked equally with onshore candidates — invited on your EOI | Make your EOI accurate and list WA |
| A building or construction tradesperson | Priority invitations; reduced employment requirements | See the WA 491 |
| In a WA critical-demand sector | Prioritised invitations | Check your occupation on WASMOL |
A general guide only. Your occupation and the current program-year settings decide the outcome — confirm on Migration WA.
What Makes Western Australia Different
Two WA features stand out. First, all of WA — including Perth — is a designated regional area for the 491, so you can live in Perth and still hold a regional visa. Second, WA ranks interstate and overseas candidates equally, so applying from offshore does not put you at the back of the queue.
If You Take The 491: The Path To PR
The 491 is not the end point — it is the road to permanent residency through the Subclass 191. To move to the 191, you generally hold the 491 for at least three years, live and work in a designated regional area throughout, and provide your tax records for the qualifying years. There is no minimum income amount in force at present, though one can be set again by instrument.
One thing to plan for: time on the provisional 491 does not count toward citizenship. Your citizenship clock starts once you become a permanent resident through the 191. So a 491 is a slightly longer route than a 190 — but for many occupations, it is the realistic one.
Places And Settings Change Every Program Year
Western Australia's nomination places, occupation lists and program settings are set each program year, based on the allocation issued by the Commonwealth, and the program has been paused and reopened before. Because of this, the safest plan is to confirm the current places, lists and open or closed status on Migration WA before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Choose Between The 190 And The 491 In Western Australia?
Not directly. WA matches you to a visa based on your occupation, stream and EOI ranking. If your EOI seeks both, you are generally invited for the 491 first, because you usually score more points with the regional nomination. You will not receive multiple invitations from the same EOI.
Does All Of Western Australia Count As Regional For The 491?
Yes. For the Subclass 491, all of Western Australia — including Perth — is a designated regional area. This means you can live and work in Perth and still meet the 491 regional condition. Confirm the current designations with the Department of Home Affairs.
What Are Western Australia's Two Nomination Streams?
The General stream, for a range of occupations on the WA Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL Schedules 1 and 2), and the Graduate stream, for eligible international students who studied in WA, using the Graduate Occupation List (GOL). Your occupation decides which stream applies.
Are Offshore Applicants Disadvantaged In Western Australia?
No. WA ranks interstate and overseas candidates equally for invitations. Applying from offshore does not push you to the back of the queue, provided your occupation is eligible and your EOI is competitive. List Western Australia in your SkillSelect EOI.
Do I Need A Job Offer For WA Nomination?
Generally no, but ongoing skilled employment in WA strengthens your profile. Some General stream WASMOL Schedule-1 occupations require an employment contract in WA for the 190. Check the requirement for your specific occupation on Migration WA.
How Many Points Do I Need?
You need at least 65 points, including the nomination points (5 for the 190 or 15 for the 491). In practice, invitations go to the highest-ranking EOIs, so selection is competitive. Confirm the current settings with Migration WA before relying on the minimum.
Is The WA Program Open Right Now?
It depends on the program year. WA nomination runs on the allocation issued by the Commonwealth, and the program has been paused and reopened with interim allocations before. Always check the current open or closed status on Migration WA before you plan around it.
How Does The WA Application Process Work?
Lodge an EOI in SkillSelect, then wait for a WA invitation. If invited, apply through the Migration WA Portal. If approved, WA nominates you in SkillSelect, and Home Affairs then invites you to lodge your visa application within 60 days.
Not Sure Which Western Australian Pathway Fits You? Check Your Eligibility Free — In About Two Minutes.
See which visa and state suit your occupation before you spend on assessments or tests.
Visa Advisor is a MARA-registered visa agent in Sydney, NSW, working with skilled applicants and sponsoring employers across Australia and offshore.
Sources and last checked dates
- Migration WA — State Nominated Migration Program: streams, WASMOL and the Graduate Occupation List checked 18 September 2026 open ↗
- Migration Regulations 1994 — Schedule 6D (the points test) and Schedule 2 Parts 190, 491 and 191, Compilation No. 288, 1 July 2026 (F2026C00667) read 18 September 2026 open ↗
- Migration (LIN 19/210: Pool and Pass Marks for General Skilled Migration Visas) Instrument 2019 — the 65-point minimum, in force read 18 September 2026 open ↗
- Department of Home Affairs — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), including designated regional areas checked 18 September 2026 open ↗
WA program settings, occupation lists and designated regional areas change during a program year. Confirm the current position with the source before acting on anything in this article.