Australia’s skilled visa points-based selection criteria often seem like a moving target, particularly in highly competitive fields such as IT and accounting, where point’s thresholds have been climbing to 90 or 100. Western Australia (WA) has a different approach to state nomination, however, as it uses its allocation to directly address critical local workforce needs. You will avoid over-saturated fields and match your academic pathway with priority industries that regularly have entry points at lower point’s thresholds with the help of a qualified education & migration consultant Perth.
Recent 2026 visa invitations have shown that a good vocational or higher education course in WA will provide a good pathway to permanent visa through the subclasses 190 or 491 visas with minimal point’s pressure.
The following is the list of the best 5 courses in Perth with the most convenient points thresholds for the courses to be in demand in Perth.
1. Early Childhood Education and Care
The Western Australian Government has a high priority on the education and training industry. The demand for qualified workers is extremely high in the growing outer suburbs of Perth, and so are international graduates in this field.
Qualification: Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) or a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.
PR Points Outlook: There is a close correlation between the point profile and the invitation to apply for nomination for Early Childhood (ECT) categories, with a baseline score of 65 to 75 points often being sufficient to qualify for an invitation.
2. Civil Engineering Building Trades (Carpentry & Plumbing)
There is unprecedented demand in the building and construction industry across Western Australia with significant infrastructure pipelines under way. Construction trades are a top priority for WA’s invitation ranking system.
Qualification: Certificate III in Building and Construction (usually packaged with a Certificate III in Carpentry) and Certificate III in Plumbing.
PR Points Outlook: There is no better way into WA than through trades. The most recent invitation statistics reveal that qualified carpenters and plumbers are being invited to apply for the subclass 491 visa at the lowest possible points of 65.
3. Nursing and Emergency Medical Services
Healthcare/social assistance is always a huge percentage of WA’s monthly state nominations. These applicants are given priority to help the state’s public health network and aging population.
Qualification: Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled Nurse) or a Bachelor of Nursing (Registered Nurse).
PR Points Outlook: Although still very much in demand, healthcare workers have the opportunity to obtain between 70 and 80 points, and processing has been moving much quicker than that of other professions.
4. Cookery and Hospitality Management (OCC4)
While tourism and hospitality are thriving in Perth, the local industry still faces challenges in finding qualified chefs.
Qualification: Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery packaged with Diploma of Hospitality Management.
PR Points Outlook: Study cookery in Perth opens up WA Graduate Stream. Chefs and cooks are increasingly seeing job opportunities in the 75-85 range, particularly for the regional Subclass 491 visa.
5. Social Work and Community Services
There is a strong demand for social assistance workers, including disability and aged care workers, who are high-stability, low-point international students because of the expansion of funding in this sector on a national level.
Qualification: Bachelor of Social Work or Diploma of Community Services.
PR Points Outlook: In Western Australia, community workers and social workers are consistently placed in high priority categories in the priority matrices, and receive invitations around 75 points.
How WA Ranks Graduates – The Strategic Edge
Knowing the course you’re taking is only half the job, knowing how you’re being evaluated is the final half.
| Priority Industry Sector | Sample Course | Average 2026 PR Points Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Construction & Trades | Cert III in Carpentry / Plumbing | 65 – 75 Points |
| Education & Training | Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood | 65 – 75 Points |
| Healthcare | Bachelor of Nursing | 70 – 80 Points |
| Community Services | Bachelor of Social Work | 75 Points |
| Hospitality | Diploma of Hospitality Management (Chef) | 75 – 85 Points |
Outline your study and migration journey at Perth
One of the most dependable options to become a permanent resident in Australia is to pursue a course for which the economy has a significant need. Attempting to make the course selection, skill assessment, and state nomination decisions on a personal basis can result in expensive errors.
Now for the selection of a course in very high demand?
Visit our office today to talk directly with our team of education counsellors and MARA registered migration agents. Your academic record will be reviewed, your course planning will be optimized with the most efficient options and your study plan will be designed to get you 100% visa ready.