How to Immigrate to Western Australia through the Subclass 489 Visa Australia

by Abhinav Immigration Services Digital Marketing Executive

Western Australia is a vibrant area offering a rich natural landscape, ample career options and a balanced lifestyle to immigration aspirants from across the world – the majority of whom are overseas skilled workers. The Skilled Regional (Provisional) Subclass 489 visa Australia is a popular gateway that allows skilled professionals to live, work and study in a specified region in a state or territory of the country for up to 4 years.

Under this category, a state or territory government agency may nominate an aspirant who can contribute to the local labour market in a regional or low-population growth metropolitan area. Alternatively, an eligible relative living in Australia as a citizen or permanent resident can sponsor the visa application, enabling the visa holder to reside in a designated area.

The Subclass 489 visa is a points-tested visa category. A nomination or family sponsorship adds 10 points to the total score, which is a significant advantage. The Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is the authority that determines the outcome of visa application.

Western Australia (WA) Migration Services is the state government agency that issues nominations to applicants under the General stream (for skilled workers) or Graduate stream (for overseas students who have completed a higher education qualification in WA), based on eligibility requirements. To be invited to apply for state nomination, a General stream applicant must:

Practice an occupation listed on the Subclass 489 visa occupation list – Western Australia Skilled Occupation List – and undergo Skills Assessment from a relevant authority.
Have professional experience in the nominated, or closely related, occupation – at least one year of Australian work experience OR at least three years of overseas work experience – in the preceding 10 years.
Appear for an English language examination and prove ‘Proficient’ English language skills, if the nominated occupation falls under ANZSCO Major Occupation Group 1 (Managers) or Group 2 (Professionals) OR ‘Competent’ English language skills for all other eligible occupations – as per standards set by the DHA. Passport holders from UK, USA, New Zealand or Canada are exempt from this requirement.
Possess a contract of full-time employment for at least 12 months in regional WA – in the nominated, or closely related, occupation.
Fulfil the DHA’s requirements for the Subclass 489 visa, and score at least 65 points based on the selection criteria of the Australia points calculator.
Applicants currently living outside WA must showcase proof of sufficient settlement funds to support living costs for themselves and accompanying dependents for the first three months in the state.

Candidates who meet these conditions can pursue the application procedure:

Step 1: Expression of Interest

The aspirant should lodge an EOI in the DHA’s SkillSelect database and indicate interest in a nomination from ‘Western Australia’ or ‘any state or territory’.

Step 2: Invitation to Apply

Eligible candidates under the General stream may receive an invitation to apply for a nomination from WA Migration Services – subject to occupation ceilings, the points test score and afore-mentioned requirements.

Step 3: Apply for Nomination

Within 28 days of receiving the invitation, the registrant must file an online application for nomination to WA, fill the research-based questionnaires, submit required documents and pay the application fee (AUD 200). WA Migration Services typically processes nomination applications within 4 weeks. After validating the information provided in the EOI based on the documents submitted, the applicant may be nominated.

Step 4: Visa Application

Being nominated by WA will add 10 points to the total score. Subsequently, the DHA issues an invitation to apply for the Subclass 489 visa. Within 60 days of receiving this invitation, a visa application must be submitted along with supporting documents and the visa fee (AUD 3,755). There is no standard processing time for Subclass 489 applications. After due verification, the DHA may grant the visa.

After two years of living in the region (including at least 12 months of full-time work), holders of the Subclass 489 visa Australia can apply for the Subclass 887 – Skilled Regional visa – which is a pathway to Australia permanent residency.