The State Government is investing in initiatives to ensure locals are training for jobs for the future, but there is a need to retain skilled migrants in WA and for interstate and overseas workers who have the skills needed by WA businesses today.
The new Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP) is supporting Western Australian construction businesses to fill the demand for a skilled workforce.
The program will provide grant payments of up to $10,000 to support skilled migration visa pathways for workers and help offset expenses such as migration representative fees, visa application fees and relocation costs.
WA Employers (CVSP Employer Sponsored Stream) and independent skilled migrants (CVSP State Nominated Stream) may be eligible for the CVSP.
Milestone payments
Employers
Eligible employers can receive payments of up to $10,000 per skilled migrant at three milestone points:
- Milestone 1 - $2,000
- Milestone 2 - $4,000
- Milestone 3 - $4,000
Offshore Skilled Migrants
Eligible skilled migrants who apply for their visa offshore, will receive payments of up to $10,000 at two milestone points:
- Milestone 1 - $5,000
- Milestone 2 - $5,000
Onshore Skilled Migrants
Eligible skilled migrants who are already onshore when the CVSP commences, will receive payments that have been reduced to reflect the lower costs incurred by onshore applicants:
- Milestone 1 - $2,500
- Milestone 2 - $2,500
Eligibility for the Employer Sponsored Stream
To be eligible for the CVSP employers must:
- sponsor a skilled migrant in one of the following visa subclasses - 482, 494 or 186; and
- be headquartered and undertaking building and construction work in Western Australia, in an eligible occupation(opens in a new tab).
For more information about eligibility, please see the CVSP Terms and Conditions.
How to apply for the Employer Sponsored Stream
If you are making a milestone 1 claim for one skilled migrant:
- complete the CVSP Employer Sponsored Stream – Milestone 1 – Claim Form(opens in a new tab);
- agree to comply with the Construction Visa Subsidy Program Terms and Conditions;
- declare your intent to become a sponsor with the Department of Home Affairs, and sponsor a skilled migrant; and
- submit your completed claim form.
If you have already submitted your first Milestone 1 claim OR you are making your first Milestone 1 claim for between two and five skilled migrants:
- complete the CVSP Employer Sponsored Stream – Milestone 1 – Claim Form(opens in a new tab);
- agree to comply with the Construction Visa Subsidy Program Terms and Conditions;
- declare your intent to become a sponsor with the Department of Home Affairs, and sponsor skilled migrants; and
- provide a brief outline of planned and upcoming work including the occupations your sponsored skilled migrant(s) will be working in; and
- submit your completed claim form.
If you have already submitted your first Milestone 1 claim(s) for a total of five skilled migrants OR you are making your first Milestone 1 claims for six or more skilled migrants:
- complete the CVSP Employer Sponsored Stream – Milestone 1 – Claim Form(opens in a new tab);
- agree to comply with the Construction Visa Subsidy Program Terms and Conditions;
- provide your confirmation of registration as a sponsor with the Department of Home Affairs;
- provide a business plan demonstrating the need for additional skilled workers, and include the occupations your sponsored skilled migrants will be working in;
- describe your plans for onboarding and supporting your skilled migrants; and
- submit your completed claim form.
If you have not already found a skilled migrant you would like to sponsor there are a range of options you can explore:
- Register your details to access the Skilled Migrant Employment Register (SMER), a free service helping you to connect to skilled migrants who have indicated they are seeking employment opportunities in WA, in an occupation and location that aligns with your business needs.
- Contact your local building and construction industry peak body, such as the Housing Industry Association Western Australia (HIA WA)(opens in a new tab) and Master Builders Association of WA (MBA WA)(opens in a new tab) who can connect you with services that specialise in sourcing skilled migrants particular to your business needs. This can include offshore skills assessments, meeting prospective skilled workers and providing visa advice.
You may also choose to engage an Authorised Migration Representative(opens in a new tab) to assist you through the visa process.
Apply to become a sponsor with the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs(opens in a new tab), and nominate an occupation and the skilled migrant you want to sponsor.
You may also choose to engage an Authorised Migration Representative(opens in a new tab) to assist you through the visa process.
Work with your skilled migrant and/or Authorised Migration Representative, to select the visa that your skilled migrant is eligible for.
Your nominated skilled migrant should then lodge the visa application(opens in a new tab) through the Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount(opens in a new tab) gateway service.
You may also choose to engage an Authorised Migration Represenetative(opens in a new tab) to assist you through the visa process.
When your skilled migrant’s visa has been granted:
- complete the Employer Sponsored Stream – Milestone 2 – Claim Form(opens in a new tab);
- provide a copy of the sponsored migrant’s visa lodgement receipt;
- provide a copy of the sponsored migrant’s visa grant letter;
- provide a copy of your Individual Labour Agreement (if you are sponsoring a skilled migrant under a Designated Area Migration Agreement); and
- submit your completed claim form.
When your skilled migrant has commenced employment with you:
- complete the Employer Sponsored Stream – Milestone 3 – Claim Form(opens in a new tab);
- provide a copy of the letter of engagement/employment contract you have signed with your sponsored migrant;
- provide a copy of the sponsored migrant’s first payslip; and
- submit your completed claim form.
If you need to advise us of a change to your banking details for CVSP payments, please complete the CVSP - Change of Bank Account Details form.
Navigating a new process can be tricky - but we are here to help! Our friendly Construction Migration Office(opens in a new tab) can guide you through this process and help you to access other services. Email us today for more information or to book in a meeting.
Eligibility for the State Nominated Stream
To be eligible for the CVSP independent skilled migrants must be:
- granted a visa through the WA State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) in one of the following visa subclasses – 190 or 491;
- employed by a business headquartered and undertaking building and construction work in WA; and
- working in an eligible occupation.
For more information about eligibility, please see the CVSP Terms and Conditions.
How to apply for the State Nominated Stream
Lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect(opens in a new tab) to indicate your interest in WA State Nomination.
Detailed information including a step-by-step process to apply for the WA State Nominated Migration Program can be found here.
You may also choose to engage an Authorised Migration Representative(opens in a new tab) to assist you through the visa process.
If you have not already linked with an eligible employer, you can enter your details on the Skilled Migrant Employment Register(opens in a new tab) (SMER).
The SMER allows you to indicate your interest to work in WA and provides the opportunity for an employer to connect with you.
You may also choose to engage an Authorised Migration Representative(opens in a new tab) to assist you through the visa process.
Once you have been approved for State Nomination and your visa has been granted by the Commonwealth’s Department of Home Affairs, register your arrival and visa approval with Migration Services(opens in a new tab).
When you have commenced your employment with an eligible employer:
- complete the State Nominated Migration Program Stream – Milestone 1 –Claim Form(opens in a new tab);
- provide a copy of your letter of engagement/employment contract signed by employer and nominated migrant; and
- provide a copy of your first payslip from employer (at the milestone payment point).
When you have completed six months of work in WA’s construction sector:
- complete the State Nominated Migration Program Stream – Milestone 2 –Claim Form(opens in a new tab); and
- provide a copy of your first payslip from employer (that is, employer skilled migrant was employed by at Milestone 1) and most recent payslip from current employer.
Navigating a new process can be tricky - but we are here to help! Our friendly Construction Migration Office(opens in a new tab) can guide you through this process and help you to access other services. Email us today for more information, or to book in a meeting.
CVSP Eligible Occupations
The following Building and Constructions occupations are available for the CVSP, through the listed Visa pathways.