Can WA Construction Employers Receive Up to $10,000 to Sponsor a Skilled Worker?
Hiring skilled workers from overseas can involve significant costs for a construction business. The WA Government’s Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP) may help eligible employers cover some of the costs of bringing a skilled migrant into a WA building or construction role.
Under the Employer Sponsored Stream, eligible employers may be able to claim up to $10,000 for each eligible skilled migrant. The payment is made in stages, and the employer must meet the program’s requirements.
What is the Construction Visa Subsidy Program?
The CVSP is a WA Government program that provides financial assistance to eligible employers and skilled migrants in the building and construction industry.
This article focuses on the Employer Sponsored Stream. It is separate from the State Nominated Migration Program stream, where an eligible skilled migrant may be able to claim a subsidy themselves.
Which employers may be eligible?
The Employer Sponsored Stream is for employers supporting skilled migrants to start work in WA’s building and construction industry.
Your business and the worker’s role must meet the CVSP requirements. The occupation and visa must also be eligible under the current program terms and occupation list. Meeting the broad description of a construction business does not automatically mean a claim will be approved.
Check the current CVSP Terms and Conditions and eligible occupation information before relying on the subsidy in your hiring plans.
Which visa pathways may be eligible?
The CVSP occupation list identifies which occupations are eligible for each visa pathway. Employer sponsored options may include subclasses 482, 494 and 186, depending on the occupation and applicable program requirements.
A worker being eligible for employer sponsorship does not automatically make them eligible for the CVSP. The role, visa pathway and employer must each satisfy the relevant requirements.
How much can an employer claim?
Eligible employers may be able to claim up to $10,000 per skilled migrant in three stages:
Milestone 1: $2,000 when the employer makes an eligible first claim
Milestone 2: $4,000 after the worker’s relevant visa is granted
Milestone 3: $4,000 after the worker starts employment with the employer
Each stage has its own claim form and supporting requirements. The milestone forms ask employers to claim for one skilled migrant at a time, and later claims depend on the earlier claim being submitted.
What does the employer need to do at each stage?
At Milestone 1, the employer completes the first claim and agrees to the program terms. The claim includes a declaration about the employer’s intention to sponsor a skilled migrant.
At Milestone 2, the employer claims after the relevant visa has been granted.
At Milestone 3, the employer claims after the skilled migrant has started work. The program may require evidence such as the employment contract and first payslip, so keep these records available.
Use the official forms for Milestone 1, Milestone 2 and Milestone 3, and check the current terms for the full evidence requirements.
Does the subsidy approve the visa or sponsorship?
No. The CVSP is a separate financial assistance program. It does not grant a visa, approve a sponsorship application or guarantee that either will be successful.
Employers still need to meet the relevant sponsorship and visa requirements. The skilled migrant must also qualify for the visa being pursued. A CVSP claim is assessed under the program’s own terms.
Is the employer stream the same as the subsidy for skilled migrants?
No. The CVSP has different streams with different applicants and requirements. Under the Employer Sponsored Stream, an eligible employer makes the claim. Under the State Nominated Migration Program stream, an eligible skilled migrant may make a claim in their own name.
It is important to check which stream applies before preparing an application or budgeting for a payment.
How can employers prepare?
Before making a hiring decision, check that the business, role, occupation and visa pathway fit the current CVSP requirements. Consider the sponsorship process and the evidence you may need to keep for each milestone.
The subsidy may help with eligible costs, but it should not be treated as guaranteed funding. Program terms, occupation eligibility and claim requirements can change.
Need help with an employer sponsored visa?
NUA Migration can help WA construction employers assess their sponsorship options and understand how the CVSP may apply to a proposed role.
Amanda O’Shaughnessy is a Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2619599) and previously worked with WA’s Construction Migration Office.
Book a consultation with NUA Migration
This article provides general information only. Check the current CVSP terms and obtain advice about your business and the proposed role before making decisions.