Subclass 491 WA nomination – you may ask the WA or Western Australia government to nominate you for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 visa to allow you to live and work in a designated regional area in WA for up to 5 years. There is a PR pathway for Subclass 91 visa (click here to learn more about Subclass 191 visa).
Currently (2020) all of WA is considered to be a designated area, this mean that you may, if you are successful with Subclass 491 WA nomination, live anywhere in WA on a Subclass 491 visa.
Criteria for Subclass 491 WA nomination
In addition to the WA government requirements, you must also meet the Department’s requirements:
- Your occupation is in the shortage list
- Have a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation
- Under 45
- Achieved a score of at least 65 (you will receive an addition 15 points if you are successful with your Subclass 491 WA nomination). Click here to calculate your points
- Have Competent English (for e.g. at least 6 in each of the 4 bands in IELTS test) or holds a passport issued by the UK or USA or Canada or NZ or Ireland
Subclass 491 WA nomination requirements
There are 2 streams for the WA nomination.
General stream. Under the general stream, you must meet the followings:
- Have proficient English, e.g. at least 7 in each band of the IELTS test, if your occupation is an ANZSCO Major Occupation Group 1 (Manager) or Group 2 (Professional). If your occupation is not in either Group 1 or Group 2, then you only required to have Competent English
- Must have at least 1 year of Australian work experience or at least 3 years of overseas work experience in your nominated occupation. Your work experience must be after you received your qualification in an appropriately paid employment of at least 20 hours per week. You cannot count work experience if you an independent contractor or self-employed. However, you can work for a person who is a contractor or a sole trader.
- Your nominated occupation must be in the WA Skilled Migration Occupation or WASMOL
- If your occupation is designated as Regional WA only, you must be working in postcodes 6041 to 6044, 6084, 6207, 6213, 6215 to 37, and 6560 to 6770.
- Must have at least $20,000 for a single or $30,000 for a couple and an additional $5,000 for each dependent (applicable only if you are not currently living in WA)
Graduate stream. Under the graduate stream, you must meet the followings:
- Your nominated occupation must be in the Graduate Occupation List or GOL
- Have proficient English, e.g. at least 7 in each band of the IELTS test, if your occupation is an ANZSCO Major Occupation Group 1 (Manager) or Group 2 (Professional). If your occupation is not in either Group 1 or Group 2, then you only required to have Competent English
- Your academic qualification must be from an accredited educational institution in WA
- You must have studied for a Higher Education award course or a Vocational Education and Training (VET) Certificate III level and above
- Your course must be full-time and face-to-face for at least 2 years
- Your study can be from different qualifications to make up the 2 years, for e.g. can include university and TAFE and/or English language programs registered with CRICOS
- You must have lived and studied in WA for at least 2 years (cannot be online or off-campus)
- Must have at least 6 months Australian work experience in your nominated occupation or closely related occupation; or have at least 6 month contract of employment in your nominated or closely nominated occupation in WA
- If your occupation is designated as Regional WA only, you must be working in postcodes 6041 to 6044, 6084, 6207, 6213, 6215 to 37, and 6560 to 6770.
- If you have work experience, it must be least 6 months working in WA within the last 5 years in your nominated or closely related occupation. Your work experience must be at least 20 hours per week, paid and gained after you have obtained your qualification. Professional year or work placement will not be considered as work experience.
- If you have a full-time (at least 35 hours per week) contract of employment in your nominated or closely related occupation in WA, it must have at least 6 months remaining from the date of your Subclass 491 WA nomination application. If you have not yet started working, your start date must be within 3 months of your application. You can have 2 employment contracts to make up 35 hours. You cannot employ yourself either as an independent contractor or self-employed.
- Must have at least $20,000 for a single or $30,000 for a couple and an additional $5,000 for each dependent (applicable only if you are not currently living in WA)
Subclass 491 WA nomination ranking
For general stream applicants will be ranked according to highest EOI points score and oldest EOI submission date.
For graduate stream applicants will be ranked from PhD, Masters, Bachelor degree, Advanced Diploma, Diploma, Certificate IV, Certificate III obtained in WA with the highest EOI points score and oldest EOI submission date.
If you are interested in living in other Australian States and Territory, click here for:
If you are nominated by the government, you will receive an invitation from the Department to apply for the Subclass 491 visa (click here to learn how to apply).
If you are granted a Subclass 491 visa, visa condition 8579 will be imposed and you must live, work or study in a specified or designated area (click here to learn more).
Australian migration law is complex and difficult to understand, contact our immigration lawyer for a consultation (fee applies) on whether Subclass 491 WA nomination is right for you or click here to find other Australian visas.
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This article is not intended to be or taken as migration legal advice. The author of this article disclaims any liability for any action or omission on the information provided or not provided in this article. You should always consult an immigration lawyer or a registered migration agent to form an informed opinion on your immigration matter.
