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Western Australia is considered at the forefront of Australia’s response to COVID-19, and its state economy is booming despite the adverse impacts of the pandemic. In a recent media statement, Premier Mark McGowan attributed this strong position to the underlying strength of WA’s economy and its positive collaboration with the business sector. He also acknowledged the rising dilemma of significant pressures placed on the availability of skilled workers in WA.  

On 5 July 2021, the WA Government announced a range of immediate initiatives to help fill this gap, with long-term solutions to be confirmed at the rescheduled Skills Summit on 30 July 2021.  

Western Australian skilled migration occupation list (WASMOL) 

One of the initiatives is the expansion of the WASMOL, with 134 new occupations from high-demand industries added to the list. 

TANG LAW is pleased to hear of this development, as it will allow greater opportunities for skilled migrants to become eligible for WA State nomination, where Australians cannot take up jobs necessary to meet demand.  

WASMOL now comprises two separate lists for reference: 

1. General Stream WASMOL Schedule 1 

This Schedule generally includes occupations in the medical fields, such as dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and surgeons. Existing requirements will apply to applications for State nomination under Schedule 1.  

1. General Stream WASMOL Schedule 2 

This second Schedule includes a substantially wider range of occupations, including accountants, engineers, technicians, programmers, mechanics, managers, trade workers, teachers, and veterinarians. 

There are updated requirements for applicants with occupations listed on this Schedule. These include: 

• Meeting the Department of Home Affairs criteria for intended visa subclass; 
• Meeting the minimum English requirements for the occupation; and  
• Having a 12-month full-time employment contract in WA in the nominated (or closely related) occupation.  

The Graduate Occupational List (GOL) remains available to applicants intending to apply for State nomination through the Graduate stream. Graduate stream requirements have remained unchanged.  

If you have been thinking about applying for a visa through WA State nomination but have found yourself ineligible for the Graduate stream or constrained by the limited number of occupations, now is the time to act.  

The migration team at TANG LAW has significant experience in preparing a lodging a wide variety of skilled visa applications. Give us a call today and we can help you find the most suitable visa pathway for you to achieve your migration dreams. 

About Writer

Ken Chong brings significant experience in preparing and lodging a variety of visa and sponsorship applications, in addition to dealing with complex immigration and citizenship law matters such as visa refusals, cancellations, identity concerns, character issues, merits review and judicial review applications.

Ken prides himself upon his disciplined approach and unwavering dedication to quality work. Being of foreign background himself, he readily establishes rapport with Tang Law’s culturally diverse clientele and has a first-hand understanding of many of the obstacles faced by hopeful migrants seeking to call Australia home.