Construction Visa Subsidy Program
Up to $10,000 for each eligible skilled migrant
The cost and complexity of sponsorship can discourage employers from recruiting the skilled workers their business needs. However, eligible construction employers may not have to carry the full cost alone. Western Australia’s Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP) provides payments of up to $10,000 for each eligible skilled migrant to help offset certain migration and relocation costs. For an employer considering sponsoring one worker or building a workforce through several skilled migrants, this support can make a significant difference to the overall cost of sponsorship.
Support for construction employers
Eligible employers using the CVSP Employer Sponsored Stream may receive up to $10,000 for each eligible skilled migrant, paid across three milestones:
$2,000 Milestone 1: when the employer registers for the program
$4,000 Milestone 2: when the skilled migrant’s visa is granted.
$4,000 Milestone 3: when the skilled migrant commences work.
If you have never sponsored a worker before, Nua Migration can explain the migration process, assess the proposed business, position and worker, and help you understand how the available subsidy may fit into the broader workforce plan.
Before deciding that sponsorship is too expensive or difficult, it is worth understanding both the pathway and the support that may be available.
Support for WA State-nominated skilled migrants
The CVSP also provides financial support to eligible skilled migrants working in Western Australia’s construction industry. Under the current program settings, eligible migrants granted a Subclass 190 or 491 visa through WA State nomination and working in an eligible occupation for an eligible WA construction business may receive:
Offshore applicants: up to $10,000, $5,000 when commencing eligible employment, $2,500 after six months and $2,500 after 12 months.
Onshore applicants: up to $5,000, $2,500 when commencing eligible employment, $1,250 after six months and $1,250 after 12 months. For skilled migrants considering WA State nomination, this support may help offset some of the substantial costs associated with migration, relocation and establishing a new life and career in Western Australia.
How Nua Migration can help
Amanda’s experience within Migration Services WA’s Construction Migration Office included supporting employers and skilled migrants with information about migration pathways, workforce programs and available subsidies. Nua Migration can help you understand: Whether the proposed occupation, visa pathway and employment arrangements may align with the program. How the subsidy may fit into the broader migration and workforce strategy. The separate steps involved in the visa and subsidy processes, related skills assessment, licensing and gap-training requirements and other WA programs that may be relevant.
Considering sponsoring a skilled worker? Talk to Nua Migration before letting the assumed cost or complexity stop you. Ask us about the Construction Visa Subsidy Program or view the current program information on the Migration WA website. Program criteria, availability and payment arrangements are determined by the Western Australian Government and are subject to change.
Skilled Migrant Job Connect Subsidy Program
Eligible onshore skilled migrants may also be able to claim reimbursements of up to $10,000 through Western Australia’s Skilled Migrant Job Connect Subsidy Program. Approved costs may include skills assessments, gap training, occupational licensing requirements and other approved employment-related services. This payment is useful for electricians, plumbers and other licensed trades that need to incur fees for licensing. This payment is made to eligible skilled migrants rather than employers. However, it can also benefit businesses recruiting workers who need skills recognition, licensing or additional training before becoming fully job-ready. Nua Migration can help identify how these requirements may interact with the worker’s migration pathway and direct clients to the relevant WA Government program.
Ask us about skills recognition and licensing pathways or view the Skilled Migrant Job Connect Subsidy Program.
Program criteria, availability and reimbursement arrangements are determined by the Western Australian Government and are subject to change.