Top 10 High-Demand Jobs on the WA 190 Occupation List [2025–2026 Guide]

TL;DR: The Western Australia (WA) 190 visa occupation list for 2025–2026 prioritises health, construction, engineering, and IT roles. If your job is on the WA Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL) or the Graduate Occupation List (GOL), you may qualify for a state nomination with a pathway to permanent residency. Use NovenAI’s free PR Points Calculator to check your eligibility before applying.

How Do I Find the Current WA Occupation List for the 190 Visa?

You find the official list on the WA Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation website. The list is updated regularly to reflect state labour shortages. According to the Department of Home Affairs’ official Skilled Visa page, state nomination eligibility hinges on your occupation being on the relevant state list.

• The list is split into WASMOL Schedule 1 (general stream, often for health and trades) and WASMOL Schedule 2 (general stream, requiring a job offer but no work experience).
• The Graduate Occupation List (GOL) is for recent WA graduates with specific qualifications.
• Occupations are assigned specific numeric codes (ANZSCO codes). You must match your skills assessment exactly.

Pro Tip: The list changes frequently. Don’t rely on old PDFs. Always check the official WA migration website or use NovenAI’s Visa Success Predictor, which cross-references live data from the 18 GB+ Home Affairs knowledge base to ensure you only apply for current lists.

What Are the Top 10 In-Demand Occupations on the WA 190 List for 2025?

The top 10 in-demand occupations for 2025 are concentrated in healthcare, construction, and technology. WA has a “construction pipeline” priority, meaning roles like Civil Engineers and Architects are heavily favoured.

• Critical Priority Occupations (like Nurses and Teachers) often get invited in the same round they apply, as WA runs “Invitation Rounds” without fixed points thresholds.
• Construction Trades (Plumbers, Electricians, Carpenters) are on a special “Building and Construction Priority” list.
• General Accountants are still on the list but require higher points (usually 85–95) due to high competition.

Do I Need a Job Offer for the WA 190 Visa?

Whether you need a job offer depends on the specific occupation stream you apply under. For WASMOL Schedule 1, you do not need a job offer. For WASMOL Schedule 2, you need a full-time job offer of at least 12 months in your nominated occupation.

• No Offer Needed: If your occupation is on Schedule 1 (e.g., Registered Nurse, Engineering Technologist).
• Offer Required: If your occupation is on Schedule 2 (e.g., Accountant, Cook, IT Project Manager).
• Graduate Stream: You do not need a job offer if you hold a WA qualification from a local university (PhD, Masters, or Bachelor’s).

Key Insight: Offering a job in regional WA (not just Perth) can also give you bonus points and faster processing. If you need to calculate your exact points score without getting confused by the complex matrix, use NovenAI’s free EOI Points Calculator—it automatically adjusts for state nomination offers.

How Many Points Do I Need for the WA 190 Visa Invitation?

WA does not have a fixed points threshold, but you typically need at least 65 points to submit an EOI. However, because WA is popular, the actual invitation points are often higher for competitive occupations.

• Functional Points: You must meet the Department of Home Affairs’ minimum of 65 points.
• Actual Invitation Points: For General Accountants and Software Engineers, you may need 85–95 points.
• Priority Occupations: Nurses and Teachers have been invited with as low as 65–70 points due to critical need.

According to Department of Home Affairs’ official points test page, state nomination (190) gives you 5 extra points automatically. You can boost your score further through:

• Superior English (Proficient or Superior): +10 or +20 points. Check your score using NovenAI’s English Level Guide to see exactly where you stand.
• Work Experience (Overseas or Australian): +5 to +15 points.
• Partner Skills: +10 points if your partner has a positive skills assessment.

Strategy: If you are an Accountant, do not waste time applying without 85+ points. Use NovenAI’s Visa Success Predictor to see your realistic queue position for WA. It analyses historical rounds and current EOI volumes to give you a percentage chance.

What Is the Processing Time for a WA 190 Nomination?

Processing time for WA state nomination approval is typically 2 to 8 weeks. Once you receive nomination, the Department of Home Affairs takes an additional 10–16 months for the final PR grant.

• Fast Track: Occupations on the construction priority list often get processed within 2–4 weeks.
• Standard Track: General occupations like Accountants or Marketing Specialists may wait 6–8 weeks.
• Pre-Invitation: You must first be invited to apply for WA nomination. This happens during monthly invitation rounds.

Important: You cannot “lodge” your 190 visa application until WA nominates you. This is a two-step process: State Nomination (Step 1) then Visa Grant (Step 2). With NovenAI’s 24/7 AI migration mentor, you can get instant answers about where your application sits in the queue without waiting days for a lawyer response.

Conclusion

Applying for the WA 190 skilled visa puts you on a fast track to permanent residency if your occupation is on the right list. Remember:

1. Check the current list – Not last year’s. WA updates it every 4–6 months.
2. Maximise your points – Especially for English proficiency and skilled work experience.
3. Use the right tools – Don’t guess your eligibility. Let data guide you.

Ready to see if your job makes the cut? Use NovenAI’s Visa Success Predictor and EOI Points Calculator for free. Spot gaps in your application before you pay for a visa lawyer. Start your PR journey smarter today 👉 https://www.novenai.com