What Is the Western Australia Occupation List?

The Western Australia occupation list is a collection of occupations that WA has identified as eligible for state nomination.

The system is divided into three main categories:

• WASMOL Schedule 1

• WASMOL Schedule 2

• Graduate Occupation List (GOL)

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Each occupation may be available for:

• Subclass 190 only

• Subclass 491 only

• Both Subclass 190 and 491

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Availability depends on the specific occupation and stream.

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What Is WASMOL?

WASMOL stands for the Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List.

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It is the official occupation list used by Migration WA when assessing candidates for state nomination under the General Stream.

WASMOL is separated into:

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WASMOL Schedule 1

Schedule 1 generally contains health, medical and specialised occupations.

Many Schedule 1 occupations have additional employment and work experience requirements for nomination eligibility.

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WASMOL Schedule 2

Schedule 2 contains a broader range of occupations across sectors such as:

• Engineering

• Information Technology

• Construction

• Hospitality

• Education

• Professional Services

• Trades

Schedule 2 is often the largest pathway used by skilled migrants seeking WA nomination.

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What Is the Graduate Occupation List (GOL)?

The Graduate Occupation List (GOL) supports international students who have completed eligible study in Western Australia.

Applicants may be eligible for nomination through the Graduate Stream if they:

• Completed eligible WA study requirements

• Hold a qualification from a WA institution

• Have an occupation appearing on the Graduate Occupation List

• Meet both WA nomination requirements and DHA visa requirements

The Graduate Stream is separate from the General Stream and has its own eligibility criteria.

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Which Visas Use the Western Australia Occupation List?

The WA occupation list is primarily used for state nomination under:

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State Sponsored (Subclass 190) Visa

The Subclass 190 visa is a permanent residence visa.

Successful applicants receive WA state nomination and gain an additional 5 points towards their points-tested migration application.

State nomination does not automatically grant the visa. Applicants must still satisfy all Department of Home Affairs requirements.

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State Sponsored Regional (Subclass 491) Visa

The Subclass 491 visa is a regional provisional visa.

It provides:

• Five-year validity

• Additional 15 points for state nomination

• Potential pathway to permanent residence through Subclass 191 if eligibility requirements are met

Many WA applicants receive invitations for Subclass 491 before Subclass 190 because the additional points often result in a higher-ranked EOI.

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How Do You Check If Your Occupation Is Eligible?

To determine whether your occupation is eligible for WA nomination, you should:

1. Identify your ANZSCO occupation.

2. Obtain or confirm the correct skills assessment pathway.

3. Check whether the occupation appears on:

   • WASMOL Schedule 1

   • WASMOL Schedule 2

   • Graduate Occupation List

4. Confirm which visa subclasses are available.

5. Review any additional WA-specific requirements.

Applicants should always use the current WA occupation lists and nomination criteria rather than relying on outdated occupation summaries.

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Which Occupations Are Commonly Available in WA?

Western Australia regularly targets occupations experiencing workforce shortages.

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Frequently represented sectors include:

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Healthcare and Social Assistance

Common occupations include:

• Registered Nurses

• Enrolled Nurses

• Medical Practitioners

• Allied Health Professionals

• Aged Care-related occupations

Healthcare continues to receive strong invitation activity due to workforce demand.

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Building and Construction

Common occupations include:

• Construction Project Managers

• Civil Engineers

• Building Inspectors

• Electricians

• Plumbers

• Carpenters

• Surveyors

Construction occupations remain a major focus area because of infrastructure and housing demand.

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Education and Training

Examples include:

• Early Childhood Teachers

• Secondary School Teachers

• Special Needs Teachers

Education occupations continue to appear in priority invitation categories.

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Hospitality and Tourism

Examples include:

• Chefs

• Cooks

• Café and Restaurant Managers

WA continues to utilise skilled migration to support labour shortages within hospitality industries.

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Engineering and Technical Occupations

Examples include:

• Civil Engineers

• Mechanical Engineers

• Electrical Engineers

• Engineering Technicians

Engineering remains a significant migration pathway due to ongoing infrastructure and resource sector demand.

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What Are the Main WA Nomination Streams?

Western Australia operates two major nomination pathways.

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General Stream

The General Stream applies to applicants whose occupations appear on:

• WASMOL Schedule 1

• WASMOL Schedule 2

Eligibility requirements vary depending on the occupation and schedule.

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Graduate Stream

The Graduate Stream is designed for eligible graduates who completed qualifying study in WA.

This stream uses the Graduate Occupation List and separate nomination requirements.

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Does Being on the WA Occupation List Guarantee an Invitation?

No.

Occupation list eligibility only allows you to be considered for nomination.

Western Australia still ranks candidates based on:

• Residence location

• Occupation priority

• Industry demand

• EOI points score

• EOI submission date

• Available nomination places

Many eligible applicants remain in the EOI pool without receiving an invitation.

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How Does Western Australia Rank EOIs?

WA publishes its invitation ranking priorities.

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For both General and Graduate streams, preference is generally given to:

1. Applicants currently residing in Western Australia.

2. Priority sector occupations.

3. Higher EOI scores.

4. Earlier EOI submission dates.

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Priority sectors currently include:

• Building and construction

• Healthcare and social assistance

• Hospitality and tourism

• Education and training

This ranking approach significantly affects invitation outcomes.

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Can Offshore Applicants Apply for WA State Nomination?

Yes.

Western Australia continues to invite eligible offshore candidates across selected occupations and sectors.

However, invitation outcomes depend on:

• Occupation demand

• Nomination allocation availability

• EOI competitiveness

• Current invitation priorities

Offshore eligibility does not mean equal invitation chances across all o

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Common Mistakes Applicants Make

Assuming Occupation Availability Equals Invitation

An occupation appearing on WASMOL only means nomination may be possible.

It does not guarantee selection.

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Mixing Visa Eligibility With State Nomination Eligibility

Applicants must satisfy:

• Department of Home Affairs visa requirements

• WA nomination requirements

Meeting one does not automatically satisfy the other.

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Using Outdated Occupation Lists

WA occupation lists can change based on labour market demand and nomination planning.

Applicants should always rely on current published criteria.

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Choosing the Wrong ANZSCO Occupation

Incorrect occupation selection can lead to skills assessment issues and nomination problems.

Occupation selection should align with actual employment duties and assessing authority requirements.

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How to Apply for WA State Nomination

The general process is:

1. Confirm your occupation appears on an eligible WA occupation list.

2. Obtain a suitable skills assessment.

3. Meet Department of Home Affairs visa requirements.

4. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect.

5. Indicate interest in WA nomination.

6. Receive an invitation from WA (if selected).

7. Lodge a state nomination application.

8. Receive nomination approval.

9. Receive a visa invitation from the Department of Home Affairs.

10. Lodge the visa application.

The state nomination stage and visa application stage are separate processes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Western Australia occupation list?

The Western Australia occupation list is the collection of occupations eligible for WA state nomination under the State Nominated Migration Program, including WASMOL Schedule 1, WASMOL Schedule 2 and the Graduate Occupation List.

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What is WASMOL?

WASMOL stands for the Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List. It is the primary occupation list used for WA state nomination under the General Stream.​

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Can offshore applicants receive WA nomination?

Yes. Western Australia invites eligible offshore candidates in selected occupations, subject to nomination priorities and invitation competitiveness.

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Does WA nominate for both Subclass 190 and Subclass 491?

Yes. Western Australia can nominate eligible candidates for both Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visas, depending on occupation eligibility and nomination criteria.

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What is the minimum points requirement?

The minimum points threshold for skilled migration pathways is generally 65 points. However, invitation competitiveness varies significantly between occupations and nomination rounds.

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Need Help Assessing Your Western Australia Occupation List Eligibility?

Our registered migration professionals can assess your occupation, skills assessment outcome, migration points, visa options and eligibility for Western Australia state nomination.

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Whether your occupation appears on WASMOL, the Graduate Occupation List (GOL), or another skilled migration pathway, we can help identify suitable options for Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 nomination.

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Contact our team for personalised advice regarding the Western Australia Occupation List, WA State Nominated Migration Program, invitation competitiveness and skilled migration opportunities in Western Australia.