State Sponsorship - Western Australia-FAQ

Updated on 31 Oct 2019

Can WA Migration Services help me with my application?
WA Migration Services staff can provide information about the State nomination application process and the State nomination criteria.
WA Migration Services is not able to help applicants with their application or provide them with migration advice. Legally, this can only be provided by an officer of the Department of Home Affairs​ or a registered migration agent.
To find a registered migration agent, visit the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA).​ 

I have to provide an employment contract as part of my State nomination application what information should I provide?
You need to provide evidence of an employment contract that demonstrates a minimum of 12 months full-time employment in your nominated (or closely related) occupation when you lodge your State nomination application.
Your contract of employment should have a start date which is within 3 months from the time you apply for State nomination, and either state full time permanency, or a full time fixed term contract with an end date. Please contact WA Migration Services if the start date is unable to be confirmed at time of lodgement.
Your contract should specify the occupation you are employed under and the relating ANZSCO code.
Current employment or contract of employment is evidenced by providing a copy of a signed employment contract with the employer.
A contract of employment needs to include at least
full names of ​both the employer and the employee;
contract start date and end date (if permanent, only start date is required);
job description of the work to be performed by the employee;
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;
Location of employment;
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;
A signed and dated employment contract by the employer and employee and provided as one document; and
Must be drafted by the employer and not by the employee.
​Full time employment is defined as "on average at least 35 hours of work per week".
​You may provide two employment contracts which equal at least 35 hours of work per week.​​

My current contract is for 12 months, but I am already some months into the contract. Am I required to have a 12 month employment contract?
Yes. You will need a contract of full time employment in Western Australia with a minimum of 12 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 on 1 January 2017, your employment contract end date must not be before 1 January 2018.

What factors will WA Migration Services consider when reviewing my employment contract?
WA Migration Services will ensure your employment contract meets the requirements outlined above. In addition, WA Migration Services will ensure the employment contract clearly demonstrates an agreement between an employer and employee that sets out terms and conditions of employment and will consider a range of factors which may include the following when reviewing employment contracts:
The contract demonstrated a minimum salary is being paid;
The business employing you is genuine and operational in the location specified;
The job will be completed by the employee 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, are considered not to meet the above requirements and will not be suitable to apply 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.

How will a university in Western Australia meet the definition of a Western Australian university for this program?
For the purposes of the State Nomination Graduate Stream, universities must be registered as an Australian university with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).
They must have a campus located in Western Australia where enrolled students study bachelor or post graduate courses full time on campus through face to face delivery. Current approved Western Australian universities for the graduate stream are:

Central Queensland University;

Curtin University;

Edith Cowan University;

Murdoch University;

Southern Cross University;

University of Notre Dame Australia; and

University of Western Australia.

If the university where you completed your Western Australian studies at is not listed above please contact WA Migration Services.
Applicants must ensure the address and postcode for the Western Australian university or campus where they completed their study is included in their Expression of Interest.

​What requirements do I need to meet when claiming points for work experience?
To be eligible to claim points for work experience, State nomination applicants must have gained their work experience in accordance with the Department of Home Affairs requirements which specify the following conditions
Work experience was gained post-qualification (does not include traineeship and apprenticeship years).
Work experience was in paid employment.​
The applicant worked at least 20 hours per week in the specified occupation.
The applicant performed tasks that correspond with the ANZSCO descriptor for the occupation in question before they would be considered to have been ‘employed’ in a skilled occupation.
*For the purposes of the State nomination program, WA Migration Services does not consider a 'Professional Year' or work placement in their review of an applicant's work experience, unless the Professional Year or work placement was completed post qualification.

Will WA Migration Services assess my work experience?
No. WA Migration Services does not undertake work experience assessments and defers to the relevant assessing authority as to the suitability of work experience for points.

My occupation is on the Western Australian skilled migration occupation list or Graduate occupation list and​ listed as 'under review'. Will I be invited to lodge an application for State nomination?
As there are only a few invitations issued for 'under review' occupations, you may not be invited to apply for State nomination.
View the Occupation lists page to keep yourself informed of your occupation's status.
If you would like more information, email us at WA Migration Services​ or call us on [phone].

Will I be invited to apply in the future?
If your occupation is listed as 'available' and you meet the relevant criteria, you may be invited to lodge an application for State nomination.

How will I know when my occupation has been listed as 'available'?
If an occupation becomes available, this information will be published on the website.

I received State nomination from Western Australia. Am I able to relocate to another state or territory though I have not lived in Western Australia for two years?
State nominated visa holders who intend to relocate to another state or territory should email Settlement Services​.
You are required to complete and return a short questionnaire stating your reasons for leaving Western Australia.
Following relocation, you are required to advise Settlement Services of your new contact details so that you can continue to be included in our post-arrival survey.

​I live outside Western Australia and one of the requirements for Western Australian State nomination is that I have sufficient funds to cover my settlement costs. How much money do I need to bring and what evidence of funds can I provide?
​To be eligible for State nomination the minimum amount of funds required is:
for a single person – $20,000 (AUD);
for a couple – $30,000 (AUD); and
for every additional dependant –​ $5,000 (AUD).
Evidence that will be considered includes:
Bank statements;
Share ownership documents;
Statements of pensions, leave payments or other entitlements that are cashable when you leave or exit your home country;
Property – proof of ownership, including title deeds, current mortgage statement or rates notice; Formal asset valuation from a licensed valuer or real estate agent;
Jewellery – formal valuation from a jeweller; and
Motor vehicles –​ registration papers; any outstanding loan statements; formal valuation such as from an insurance company or licensed car salesperson.

Am I able to provide additional documents for my application while it is being processed?
​Yes. WA Migration Services may also contact associated third parties to verify any information provided.

Am I able to provide additional documents for my application after it has been declined?
All required documents must be submitted before your application has been finalised. You cannot submit additional documents after your application has been declined.

Am I required to complete the WA Migration Services settlement survey even though I have had my visa granted or been granted Australian citizenship?
Yes. To be granted State nomination, you signed an agreement with the Government of Western Australia and as part of this agreement you agreed to complete a survey every six months for a period of 24 months.

I am having problems lodging my online application. Who do I contact for assistance?
If you are having problems with the online application system you can call WA Migration Services during office hours, Monday to Friday 8.30 am – 4.00 pm (WST) on [phone] or email the team via the online enquiries page. Please state your name, reference number (if applicable) and the problem you encountered while trying to lodge your application.

What happens if I receive an invitation to apply for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) from the Department of Home Affairs while I have an outstanding application for State nomination?
You are free to apply for the subclass 189 visa. If you do so, your application for State nomination will be declined, as we are no longer able to assess your application, because the Department of Home Affairs has locked access to your Expression of Interest in the SkillSelect database. The $200 application fee is non-refundable.

I have an occupation that requires licensing or registration before I am permitted to work in Western Australia. Does a positive skills assessment and State nomination guarantee that I meet the occupational licensing or registration requirements?
No. Applicants with an occupation requiring licensing or registration are advised to contact the relevant occupational licensing or registering body to verify their suitability for licensing or registration.