The State Government of Western Australia has implemented the Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP) to aid construction companies in addressing the current demand for a skilled workforce in the construction sector, a critical industry that underpins the state’s development and infrastructure growth.
The State Government is proactively investing in initiatives aimed at equipping locals with the skills necessary for future job markets. However, there is a clear understanding that this alone will not be enough. The vitality of the economy and the continuous growth of each industry also hinges on retaining skilled migrants in WA. Additionally, there is a pressing need for interstate and overseas workers who possess the immediate skills required by WA businesses today.
The program offers grant payments of up to $10,000. These grants are a significant boon, as they support skilled migration visa pathways for workers. More importantly, they help offset various expenses associated with the migration process. This includes migration agent fees, visa application fees, and even relocation costs – expenses that often pose a challenge for many skilled workers wishing to move to WA.
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Construction Visa Subsidy Payments
The Government will distribute grants up to $10,000 for company sponsors, at three milestone points for each skilled migrant they sponsor:
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- Milestone 1: $2,000
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- Milestone 2: $4,000
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- Milestone 3: $4,000
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Milestone 1 in particular, does not require already having an employee. To submit a claim for Milestone 1, an expressed intent to the Department of Home Affairs will suffice. When sponsoring two or more skilled migrants, detailed hiring plans will be required to submit.
Milestones 2 and 3 will require the skilled migrant to receive a visa and be employed in order to be claimed.
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Who is Eligible for the Construction Visa Subsidy?
The CVSP is very flexible for employers in the construction sector; employers can sponsor through different visa subclasses – 482, 494, and 186. Employers would also need to be headquartered and engaged in commercial/residential building and construction work in Western Australia. The table below provides information on the occupations the skilled migrants must be employed in.
| ANZSCO | Name |
| 133111 | Construction project manager |
| 133112 | Project builder |
| 232111 | Architect |
| 232112 | Landscape architect |
| 232212 | Surveyor |
| 232611 | Urban and regional planner |
| 233211 | Civil engineer |
| 233213 | Quantity surveyor |
| 233214 | Structural engineer |
| 312111 | Architectural draftsperson |
| 312112 | Building associate |
| 312113 | Building inspector (including building certifiers/building surveyors) |
| 312114 | Construction estimator |
| 312115 | Plumbing inspector |
| 312116 | Surveying or spatial science technician |
| 312199 | Architectural, building and surveying technicians not elsewhere classified |
| 312211 | Civil engineering draftsperson |
| 312212 | Civil engineering technician |
| 312311 | Electrical Engineering Draftsperson |
| 312312 | Electrical Engineering Technician |
| 312911 | Maintenance planner |
| 312999 | Building and engineering technician |
| 331111 | Bricklayer |
| 331112 | Stonemason |
| 331211 | Carpenter and joiner |
| 331212 | Carpenter |
| 331213 | Joiner |
| 332111 | Floor finisher |
| 332211 | Painting trades worker |
| 333111 | Glazier |
| 333211 | Fibrous plasterer |
| 333212 | Solid plasterer |
| 333311 | Roof tiler |
| 333411 | Wall and floor tiler |
| 334111 | Plumber (general) |
| 334115 | Roof plumber |
| 334112 | Air conditioning and mechanical services plumber |
| 334113 | Drainer |
| 334114 | Gasfitter |
| 341111 | Electrician (general) |
| 341112 | Electrician (special class) |
| 341113 | Lift mechanic |
| 342111 | Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic |
| 342411 | Cabler (data and telecommunications) |
| 362213 | Landscape gardener |
| 394111 | Cabinetmaker |
| 399912 | Interior decorator |
| 399918 | Fire protection equipment technician |
| 511111 | Contract administrator |
| 712111 | Crane, hoist or lift operator |
| 721211 | Earthmoving plant operator (general) |
| 721212 | Backhoe operator |
| 721214 | Excavator operator |
| 721216 | Loader operator |
| 721915 | Road roller operator |
| 821211 | Concreter |
| 821712 | Scaffolder |
| 821713 | Steel fixer |
| 821912 | Driller’s assistant |
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For independent migrants, there is the CVSP State Nominated Stream where they can also claim the Construction Visa Subsidy for working in Western Australia. Those that are applying for the CVSP onshore will receive two milestones totaling to $5,000 ($2,500 upon first payslip with eligible sponsor, and another $2,500 after 6 months of work).Â
To discuss these changes, or review your eligibility, please get in touch with our expert team at aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com to arrange an online consultation.Â
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