Western Australia Government Schemes for Building Trades to Employ Overseas Workers – Grant Payments: Up to $10,000 per skilled migrant sponsored by a WA employer.

Employment News

Western Australia has introduced several government initiatives to help businesses in the building and construction sector address workforce shortages by employing skilled workers from overseas. The main programs are the Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP) and the Western Australia Designated Area Migration Agreement (WA DAMA).

1. Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP)
Purpose:
Supports WA construction businesses to employ skilled migrants by providing financial incentives to offset the costs of sponsoring overseas workers.

Key Features:

Grant Payments: Up to $10,000 per skilled migrant sponsored by a WA employer.

Eligible Costs Covered: Migration agent fees, visa application costs, and relocation expenses.

Eligible Occupations: Includes critical building and construction trades such as bricklaying, cabinetmaking, carpentry, electrical, glazing, plumbing, and tiling.

Application Process: Employers apply for the subsidy when sponsoring a skilled migrant for an eligible visa (such as Subclass 482, 494, or 186).

How It Works:

An initial payment (e.g., $5,000) is made when the skilled worker secures employment with a WA business.

A further payment (e.g., $5,000) is made after the worker completes six months of employment in the WA building and construction industry.

2. Western Australia DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement)
Purpose:
Allows WA businesses to sponsor overseas workers for occupations not usually available through standard skilled migration programs, including semi-skilled and “off-list” trades.

Key Features:

Statewide Coverage: Available to both metropolitan and regional employers.

Occupations: Over 270 occupations in metropolitan WA and 310 in regional WA, including many building and construction trades.

Annual Quota: Up to 5,000 placements per year (2,500 metropolitan, 2,500 regional).

Concessions: May include English language, salary, and age concessions to make sponsorship more accessible for employers.

Visa Pathways: Enables access to temporary and permanent skilled visas, such as the Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand), 494 (Regional), and 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visas

You and your Employer can get further Information and help by messaging us direct here or email info@AustralianImmigrationVisas.com.au

 

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