New WA State Nomination Policy Released! Is Construction Still a Priority?

WA has just updated its state nomination policy for the 2025-26 financial year

The good news is that the occupation list hasn’t changed significantly. Compared with Canberra, which removed nearly 50 occupations, WA has remained steady. To check whether an occupation is on the list, you can still use the Occupation Search tool on the WA website (Figure 2).

What stays the same

1. Interstate and overseas applicants continue to have equal invitation opportunities.
2. Priority invitations go to applicants in WA’s priority industries (Figure 3 – construction / healthcare / social work / education / tourism services).
3. General Stream Sch 2 construction occupations (entire industry) are still exempt from the job offer requirement for the 190.
4. General Stream Sch 1 still requires a job offer.
5. Local graduates applying for the 190 / 491 do not need a job offer.

What has changed (cover image)

1. Within the priority industries, construction blue-collar trades have been carved out as a separate category. Construction occupations are now split into blue-collar trades and other occupations.
2. The AU$200 application fee has been reinstated, payable after receiving a pre-invitation.
3. WA graduates who completed a Higher Education course and an Advanced Diploma in the previous financial year could be considered under both streams simultaneously.
   However, under the new policy, the applicant’s highest qualification completed in WA will determine their stream (Figure 4). If the highest qualification is a bachelor’s or master’s, the applicant can only be considered under the Higher Education stream. If the highest qualification is VET, the applicant can only be considered under the VET stream.
4. Applicants must have lived continuously in WA for at least three months before receiving an invitation (Figure 5)! This is a major update and presents a challenge for those entering WA on a tourist visa to apply.

Summary

• WA’s quota is reportedly reduced by one-third. For applicants in non-priority occupations, whether from interstate or within WA, this financial year will be a little challenging.
• For those in the priority construction industry, I’ve listed the occupations that fall under Building and Construction (Figure 6). If you can go through the General Stream Sch 2, it’s still worth keeping an eye on WA. And if you’re a local graduate who also falls into the construction blue-collar trades category, that’s really stacking the buffs – your chances are strong this financial year.