Competition organisers dropped the beachwear, with women to wear fitness gear instead.
Hamilton Hill resident Milica Ognjenovic said it was a good move.
"Just because you're skinny, doesn't mean you're healthy. That's the bottom line," she said.
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�But even from my background in personal training, I know a lot of healthy people who feel uncomfortable stripping down to nothing.
"I think it's something a lot of people wanted."
Atwell's Micaela Norcliffe said it was reassuring to have the competition shift away from simply being about judging a body.
Wellard local Cheyenne Chadderton agreed.
"It's empowering " you're not so exposed,� she said.
"It's about fitness, health and eating right and not just about having a bikini body."
Finalists from around Australia will fly into Perth for the finals on Sunday, with Miss World Australia to travel to China to take part in the Miss World Pageant.
Ms Chadderton, one of 12 WA finalists, is completing a course with the Dreamtime Project and will travel to New York next month to take part in Fashion Week.
Ms Norcliffe is studying social and developmental psychology at Murdoch University.
Ms Ognjenovic is studying epidemiology and undertaking an internship with the Lions Eye Institute.
For information visit www.missworldaustralia. com.au.