Have you ever wondered about Western Australia’s approach to welcoming skilled migrants? In the pursuit of a stronger workforce and an improved job market, the state has made significant changes to its migration program. But what do these changes mean for eligible applicants? Let’s dive into the details.<\/p>\n
In the 2022-23 fiscal year, Western Australia selected a total of 8,140 skilled migrants, filling its allocated visa quota. Now, the doors have swung wide open for eligible applicants to take part in the 2023-24 Skilled Migration State Nomination program, with invitation rounds set to begin shortly.<\/p>\n
These changes were introduced by the WA government to simplify and expedite skilled migration processes. The State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) focuses on prioritising skilled migrants already residing in the state and those from other states and overseas. This approach aims to cater to the state’s robust economy and job market.<\/p>\n
According to Karen Ho, Director General of the Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD), Western Australia’s migration priorities align with the needs of key sectors and local businesses. While the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs manages the overall migration program and visa processing, the SNMP allows the state government to direct skilled migration by the Commonwealth Government’s guidelines.<\/p>\n
Subclass 190 and Subclass 491<\/strong><\/p>\n Through the SNMP, eligible skilled migrants can be nominated for two types of visas: the Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190), a permanent visa, and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491), a temporary visa that can lead to permanent residency under certain conditions.<\/p>\n The 2022-23 migration program saw a series of temporary changes aimed at attracting skilled workers:<\/p>\n 1. Fee Waiver:<\/strong> Waiving the $200 application fee.<\/p>\n 2. Shorter Employment Requirement:<\/strong> Reducing the requirement for an employment contract from 12 months to six months.<\/p>\n 3. Financial Flexibility:<\/strong> Eliminating the need for applicants to demonstrate sufficient funds.<\/p>\n 4. English Language Requirements:<\/strong> Lowering additional English language requirements for professional and manager occupations.<\/p>\n 5. Reduced Work Experience:<\/strong> Reducing work experience prerequisites to attract more skilled workers to WA.<\/p>\n Over 100 occupations, including those in health, aviation, ICT, agriculture, primary industries, community services, environmental management, mining, urban planning, events, and engineering, were added to the state’s Skilled Migration Occupation List, reflecting a broad range of professions in high demand. These changes will carry forward into the 2023-24 program year.<\/p>\n02. <\/span> 2022-23 Changes: Attracting Skilled Workers to WA<\/span><\/h2>\n
03. <\/span> What Are The Opportunities for Skilled Workers?<\/span><\/h2>\n