Published on 2 July 2024
Expanding Skilled Migration in Western Australia to Bolster Economy and Workforce
In a significant development aimed at addressing labour shortages and fostering economic growth, the Cook and Albanese Labor Governments have unveiled a comprehensive agreement for 10,000 skilled migration places for the 2024-25 program year. This initiative is set to invigorate the state’s economy, particularly benefiting the residential construction and healthcare sectors.
Overview of the Skilled Migration Agreement
- Total Allocation: The deal includes a total of 10,000 skilled migration places, targeting critical sectors facing labour shortages.
- SNMP Enhancement: Of these, 5,000 places will be allocated to the State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP), marking a substantial increase from the previous year’s cap of 2,350. This expansion is designed to directly respond to industry needs, especially in construction and healthcare.
- Introduction of WA DAMA: Complementing the SNMP, the agreement introduces the WA Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA), which will also account for 5,000 places. This new pathway is structured to support both metropolitan and regional employers, facilitating the recruitment and retention of essential skilled workers.
Key Benefits and Features
- Industry-Driven Approach: The enhanced SNMP allows the Western Australian Government to set specific priorities for skilled migration, tailoring the nomination of migrants to meet precise skill shortages in the state.
- Support for SMEs: The SNMP is particularly crucial for small and medium-sized enterprises that struggle with the requirements of the Commonwealth Government’s employer-sponsored visa frameworks.
- Regional Focus with WA DAMA: The WA DAMA aims to attract skilled workers to both urban and regional areas, with provisions for equal allocation between these zones. It targets sectors such as building and construction, health and aged care, tourism and hospitality, and agriculture, offering a quicker route to permanent residency for eligible migrants.
- Local Workforce Development: Parallel to these migration efforts, the State Government continues to invest in local workforce training, including free and low-fee TAFE courses aimed at equipping Western Australians for jobs in high-demand sectors.
Start of Invitation Rounds
- The invitation rounds for state nomination will commence as soon as Western Australia formally receives its allocation from the Department of Home Affairs. Prospective migrants should prepare their applications to ensure they are ready to submit once the rounds open.
- Specific details about the categories of skills prioritised and the application process for the 2024-25 SNMP will be made available closer to the commencement of the program.
Why is This Important?
The State Nominated Migration Program is crucial in addressing labour shortages in key sectors. It allows Western Australia to nominate skilled and business migrants for a permanent visa. Migrants selected to participate in this program are chosen based on their ability to contribute to the state’s economy and labour force needs.
Stay Updated
For those interested in applying or learning more about the specifics of the program, further updates will be provided once more information becomes available from the government.
Please note that visa regulations and policies can change, so it’s important to stay up to date with official government sources for the most accurate and current information.
To discuss your visa options further, please call us on +61 8 6557 6779.