【WA State Nomination Invitation Update】2024–25 Program Year Trends and Application Strategy

As various Australian states continue to release their latest nomination quotas and invitation data, Western Australia (WA) has also announced the results of its eighth round of invitations, covering up to 8 May 2025. According to official figures, a total of 702 invitations were issued in this round, spanning both subclass 190 and 491 visas. This article provides a professional analysis based on invitation data, trend observations, and strategic recommendations.

1. Overview of May 2025 Invitation Data

According to data released by Migration WA:

WASMOL Schedule 2 remains the dominant pathway, accounting for over 80% of all invitations. Although the number of places through the graduate stream is relatively small, it still reflects WA’s recognition and support for local graduates.

2. Key Trends in the Latest Round

1. Preference for Local Residents and Graduates

   Most invitees were applicants already residing in WA or graduates from WA-based educational institutions. The state government has clearly stated its priority is to nominate applicants who can immediately integrate into the local labour market.

2. Lower Points Threshold, Looser Eligibility Criteria

   In this round, the minimum points required for most subclass 190 and 491 occupations was 65, indicating that the current talent pool in WA is insufficient. For those who have yet to receive an invitation, this represents a relatively favourable application window.

3. Faster Processing Timeline

   According to the official announcement, processing timelines for certain occupations have now progressed to early 2025. This indicates that the state government has accelerated both assessment and invitation efficiency, and also signals that a substantial number of places remain.

4. No New Invitations for WASMOL Schedule 1

   This category has seen no new invitations issued for two consecutive rounds, possibly indicating that the state government’s occupational focus has shifted to Schedule 2 and the graduate stream.

3. Strategic Recommendations for Applicants

For skilled migrants planning to apply for WA state nomination, the following considerations should be incorporated into your planning:

• Prioritise occupations on the Schedule 2 list, such as civil engineering, education, nursing, social work, and hospitality management—these clearly fall under WA’s current priority areas.

• Holding a local qualification is a significant advantage, particularly for those who have completed courses such as Certificate III, Graduate Diploma, or Honours Degree, which will be highly regarded under the graduate stream.

• Factor in regional and settlement points, as the 491 visa allows applicants to stack points for regional residency and study experience, further boosting total points.

• Prepare complete documentation and ensure your EOI is always up to date, especially for skills assessments and English test results, which must be current and valid to respond promptly to the next round of invitations.

WA has been allocated a total of 5,000 state nomination places for the 2024–25 program year (including 3,000 for the 190 visa and 2,000 for the 491 visa). With places still available and relatively low entry thresholds, this is a golden opportunity for aspiring migrants. Those currently in Australia, with a Schedule 2 occupation or a local qualification, should urgently finalise their state nomination strategy to make the most of this migration window.

If you have any questions or would like professional assistance, please feel free to contact us at Riverwood Migration (Email: [email protected]). We are committed to providing transparent, expert migration services to help you achieve your dream of moving to Australia.