Construction Visa Subsidy Program Western Australia

Western Australia Strengthens Construction Workforce with AUD 10,000 Visa Subsidy for Each Skilled Migrant

The Western Australian (WA) Government released the Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP). This initiative aims to relieve mounting workforce shortages and accelerate residential and commercial project delivery. The program provides vital financial support to local construction businesses to hire skilled overseas workers by providing an up to AUD 10,000 subsidy for each skilled migrant.

This subsidy program is a win-win for both employers and skilled migrants. It provides financial support to employers, making it easier for them to hire skilled overseas workers. For skilled migrants, it offers an opportunity to work in the thriving construction industry of Western Australia. This article will guide you through the eligibility criteria, application process, and program details.

What is the Construction Visa Subsidy Program Western Australia?

The Construction Visa Subsidy program is administered by the WA Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTDW). The CVSP offers up to AUD 10,000 per migrant, payable through three milestone payments.

Employers in the building and construction sector can offset costs like migration agent fees, visa application charges, and relocation expenses.

The Construction Visa Subsidy program is available for both Employer-sponsored and Independent Skilled Migrants, and includes the following visa subclasses:

• Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482)
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494)
• Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
• Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491)

How does the Milestone Payments Work?

The WA Government has structured the subsidy milestone payments into three categories, each designed to support different stages of the employment process. These categories are for eligible employers, offshore skilled migrants, and onshore skilled migrants.

Here’s the flow:

1. For eligible employers

Eligible employers can receive a subsidy payment of up to AUD 10,000 for each skilled migrant at three milestone points:

• Milestone 1: AUD 2,000
• Milestone 2: AUD 4,000
• Mlestone 3: AUD 4,000

2. For eligible offshore Skilled migrants

Eligible skilled migrants who apply for their visa offshore will receive a subsidy payment of up to AUD 10,000 at two milestone points:

• Milestone 1: AUD 5,000
• Milestone 2: AUD 5,000

3. For eligible onshore skilled migrants

Eligible skilled migrants who apply for their visa onshore when the CVSP commences will receive a subsidy payment of up to AUD 5,000. The payment is slightly reduced to reflect the lower costs incurred by onshore applications:

• Milestone 1: AUD 2,500
• Milestone 2: AUD 2,500

Read more: Termination of Work Contract Leads to 482 Visa Cancellation?

WA Construction Visa Subsidy Program Eligibility Criteria & Application Process

Here’s the eligibility criteria and application process for the WA Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP):

Eligibility Criteria & Application Process for the Employer-Sponsored:

Who can apply:

• Must be a WA-based construction employer (residential or commercial sector)
• Must hold an ABN (Australian Business Number)
• Must sponsor skilled workers under 482, 494, or 186 visas

How to apply:

1. Lodge Milestone 1 claim and show intent to sponsor an overseas skilled worker
2. Connect with skilled migrants via the SMER platform
3. Apply to become a recognised sponsor and nominate a candidate through Home Affairs
4. Submit the Milestone 2 claim once the visa is granted
5. Submit the Milestone 3 claim once employment begins and the payslip is issued

Eligibility Criteria & Application Process for the State Nominated stream:

Who can apply:

• Skilled migrant holding a 190 or 491 Visa under the WA state-nominated migration program.
• Skilled migrant employed by a business undertaking building and construction work in WA.
• Work in an eligible occupation.

How to apply:

1. Lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect.
2. Connect with an employer through the SMER (Skilled Migrant Employment Register).
3. Register your visa approval once it’s granted.
4. Lodge a milestone 1 claim when you’ve commenced your employment.
5. Lodge a milestone 2 claim when you’ve completed six months of work in WA’s construction sector.

How WA helps linked employers and candidates

If you’re a construction business struggling to find the best candidates or vice versa, the WA government has provided support with:

1. Skilled Migrant Employment Register (SMER) is a free service for employers to register jobs and connect with overseas applicants and other migrants interested in WA roles.
2. Industry partners, which you can consider contacting HIA WA, Master Builders WA and other industry groups to access recruitment and assessment services
3. Construction Migration Office, a WA Government service that can guide employers through the CVSP and related services. You may email the Construction Migration Office to book assistance.

Read more: Australia Moves to Multi-Year Migration Planning Level Model

Why CVSP matters for WA’s construction sector

Here’s how the Construction Visa Subsidy Program boost WA’s construction sector:

• Financial relief by subsidising visa, relocation, and migration agent costs.
• Broader support by helping both employers and skilled individuals independently.
• Strategic alignment by encouraging settlement of essential trade skills into WA’s expanding construction workforce.
• Efficient access to talent by creating an SMER that streamlines connections between employers and migrants.

Western Australia’s Construction Visa Subsidy Program provides support to both employers and skilled migrants, whether you’re sponsoring workers or seeking visas independently via state nomination. This dual-stream model accelerates construction workforce capacity and strengthens housing development efforts across the state.

So, whether you’re an employer or a skilled migrant, our migration specialist can guide you through eligibility, claims, and the application process.

The Preferred Migration Agent in Perth by Assisting people to obtain the right Australian Visa legally and lawfully.