The Western Australian Government, led by Premier Roger Cook, has voiced strong opposition to a federal proposal that would significantly reduce the number of skilled-migration places allocated to the state under the State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP).
Under figures outlined by the Department of Home Affairs, Western Australia’s allocation would fall from around 5,000 positions in 2024–25 to about 3,400 in 2025–26 — a reduction of roughly 30 per cent.
Premier Cook argues that such a cut would limit Western Australia’s ability to secure the skilled workers it needs and risk slowing economic growth. He says the state faces distinct workforce pressures compared with the rest of the country, citing major housing, infrastructure and defence projects — including those linked to the AUKUS program — that rely heavily on migrant labour.
Cook has warned that restricting skilled-migration places could delay the delivery of homes and public works at a time when labour shortages are already driving up costs across key industries.
The federal government, however, maintains that the change concerns the number of invitations states and territories can issue, not the total number of skilled visas to be granted nationally. Canberra says its aim is to better manage application backlogs and improve processing times rather than reduce the overall migration intake.
The dispute highlights ongoing tension between state and federal priorities. Western Australia is seeking flexibility to address its acute workforce shortages, while the Commonwealth is pursuing a more uniform system to streamline administration.
With unemployment near historic lows and large-scale projects underway across construction, housing and defence, the Cook Government continues to press for higher nomination numbers as discussions with the federal government continue.
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