Frequent questions about state nomination

Q. I am subject to a section 48 bar. Can I apply for Western Australian State nomination?

Yes, if you receive an invitation to apply for State nomination and you are affected by a Section 48 bar, you can proceed with an application.

Q: Can I amend my Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect after I have been invited to apply for State nomination?

If your EOI is amended during the application process, resulting in a reduction of your points score and/or ranking, evidence must be provided to substantiate the points claimed in your EOI.

Q. I am applying for the Graduate stream and require two years of Western Australian study. Due to restrictions relating to COVID-19 I was required to complete some of my studies online. Can I use this towards my two years of study?

If, due to COVID-19, you were required to complete some of your studies online, you will need to show evidence that you were still enrolled as an onshore Western Australian student during this period.

Q: Am I eligible for the graduate stream if I have a vocational education and training (VET) qualification from Western Australia?

You may be eligible for the graduate stream if you gained a Certificate III level or above VET qualification in Western Australia and have completed two years study in Western Australia at an accredited Western Australian educational institution. Visit the Graduate stream requirements page for further information.

Q: For the graduate stream, what documents do I need to provide to show I have lived and studied in Western Australia for two years?

You will need to provide the following:

• award certificate/s;

• a record of your results, such as transcript/s or a statement of attainment showing two years full time study in Western Australia; and

• a letter from your education provider confirming your study duration, study load, and your start and completion date. If you studied at multiple education providers to fulfil the two year study requirement, a letter must be provided from each education provider.

If you were studying under an Australian student visa, you will also need to provide:

• confirmation of enrolment/s (COEs) and/or student visa grant notice for the duration of your two years of Western Australian study; and
  

• if any study from your full-time course was completed at a reduced study load, evidence demonstrating this was approved by your awarding education provider. Study completed at a reduced study load due to credits for study completed outside of Western Australia is not eligible.
  

The education provider determines whether a course is full-time or part-time. The onus is on the applicant to provide evidence to show two years of living and studying in Western Australia.

Q: Can WA Migration Services help me with my application?

We can provide you with information about the State nomination application process and criteria, but we cannot help you with your application or provide migration advice. Legally, this can only be provided by a registered migration agent.

To find a registered migration agent, visit the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA).​

Q: Why has my application not been processed within the advertised processing times? 

The processing time is for a 'decision ready' application. Decision ready means that you have provided all the documentation required for WA Migration Services to complete an assessment. If WA Migration Services asks for more information, then your application is not decision ready until all information is provided. This may delay the processing of your application. Once your application is decision ready, it will be assessed and a final outcome will be issued within the advertised processing time.

Q:  I need to provide an employment contract as part of my State nomination application what information should it include?

You will need to provide a scanned copy of your employment contract when you lodge your State nomination application. It must be for full time employment in your nominated (or closely related) occupation for the required duration. If applicable through the General stream, the contract must be for at least six (6) months. Full time employment is an average of at least 35 hours per week and you can provide two contracts to meet this requirement.

The contract must include:

1. full names of ​both the employer and the employee;
   

2. job title and related ANZSCO code;
   

3. contract start date and end date (if permanent, only start date is required). It must state either 'full time permanency' or 'full time fixed term contract' with an end date. The start date must be within three months of your application date, if you have not yet started working;
   

4. job description of the work to be performed by the employee;

5. the terms and conditions of employment (include the position's salary, hours of work, leave entitlements, superannuation, among other things) that are no less favourable than those that would apply to an Australian citizen or permanent resident doing equivalent work;

6. location of employment;

7. a statement that the work specified in the employment contract must be perform​ed by the employee and not contracted out to a third party;

8. a signed and dated employment contract by the employer and employee and provided as one document; and

9. must be drafted by the employer and not by the employee.
   

Q: I am already some months into my contract of employment. Can I use this for my application for State nomination?

You will need a contract of full time employment in Western Australia with a minimum of six months remaining on your contract at the time you apply for State nomination. This contract must be in your nominated (or closely related) occupation. 

For example, if you apply for State nomination through the General stream (and require a six month contract) on 1 July 2022, your employment contract end date must not be before 1 Janurary 2023.

Q: What factors will WA Migration Services consider when reviewing my employment contract?

The employment contract must show an agreement between the employer and employee and set out the terms and conditions of employment. Factors taken into consideration may include: 

• a minimum salary is being paid;

• the business employing you is genuine and operational in the location specified;
  

• the job will be completed by you and not contracted out to a third party; and

• as the employee you will bear no financial risk and be provided with the relevant tools and equipment to successfully undertake the tasks required.
  

Employment contracts submitted by an Independent contractor or those which demonstrate self-employment do not meet the above requirements and are not suitable to be submitted when applying for WA State nomination.

Employment contracts submitted by a Sole Trader will be considered in the following circumstances only:

• the sole trader is not the stated applicant of the State nomination application; and

• the employment contract meets all the State's employment contract requirements.

View the Employment contracts and Independent contractors information
available on the Fair Work Ombudsman or Austrade website. 

Q: I have been requested to provide evidence that demonstrates I am being paid minimum salary for my specified nominated occupation. What evidence should I provide?

WA Migration Services will consider evidence that demonstrates the stated salary was determined in accordance with:

• a relevant industrial award; or

• relevant enterprise agreement.

The evidence provided must clearly specify the relevant salary level, occupation and entitlements that apply to your employment contract.

Q: Is my chosen Western Australian educational institution accredited, meaning I can use study and/or qualifications completed at that institution towards meeting the Western Australian study requirement?

To be considered an accredited university or higher education provider, it must have met the below requirements at the time of your studies:

• registered as an Australian higher education provider with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA);

• registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS); and

• have a campus in Western Australia, where students study bachelor or post graduate courses full time, on campus, through face to face delivery.

Current approved universities with a Western Australian campus are:

• Central Queensland University;

• Curtin University;

• Edith Cowan University;

• Murdoch University;

• Southern Cross University;

• University of Notre Dame Australia; and

• University of Western Australia.

To be considered an accredited VET provider it must have met the below requirements at the time of your studies:

• registered with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). You can check if your institution is registered on the training.gov.au website; 

• registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS); and

• have a campus in Western Australia, where students study full time, through face to face delivery.
  

To be considered an accredited provider of English language programs, it must have met the below requirements at the time of your studies:

• registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS); and

• have a campus in Western Australia, where students study full time, through face to face delivery.

Your expression of interest must include the suburb and post code of your Western Australian educational institution campus where you completed your study. 

For a list of all currently accredited educational institutions visit the Western Australian accredited educational institutions page.

Q: The accredited Western Australian educational institution where I completed my 2 years of Western Australian study at, is now closed. How will I be able to provide you with supporting evidence?

All students studying in Australia with an Australian training organisation will be able to access their Unique Student Identifier (USI). You will be able to access your Western Australian study results through USI.

Q: What requirements do I need to meet to show work experience for the General stream WASMOL schedule 1?

You must have:

• at least one year of Australian work experience in the nominated (or closely related) occupation over the last 10 years; or

• at least one year of overseas work experience in the nominated (or closely related) occupation over the last 10 years.
  

Closely related means that the occupation shares the first four digits of the ANZSCO code.
You can only count work experience gained post qualification, in paid employment, where you have worked at least 20 hours per week. 

A professional year or work placement will not be considered for the purposes of State nomination, unless it meets the above requirements.
Further evidence of work experience may be requested during the application process, such as a skills assessment, employment contract or payslips may be requested during the State nomination application process. If you are providing payslips, please enter the details into the payslip template and provide this as part of your application.