In an effort to secure a thriving workforce for the future, the State Government of Western Australia is investing in initiatives to train locals for upcoming jobs. However, they also recognize the importance of retaining skilled migrants and attracting interstate and overseas workers with the expertise required by WA businesses today. Enter the Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP), a groundbreaking initiative that aids Western Australian construction businesses in meeting the demand for skilled labor. Through this program, grants of up to $10,000 are provided to support skilled migration visa pathways for workers, alleviating expenses like migration agent fees, visa applications, and relocation costs. With the CVSP, WA is forging a path towards a diverse and dynamic workforce, bolstering the state’s economic growth and competitiveness.
Related:
CVSP grants
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
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
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
How to apply for the CVSP 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.
Step 1
If you are making a milestone 1 claim for one skilled migrant:
- complete the CVSP Employer Sponsored Stream – Milestone 1 – Claim Form;
- 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 are making milestone 1 claims for two to five or five in total skilled migrants:
- complete the CVSP Employer Sponsored Stream – Milestone 1 – Claim Form;
- 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;
- provide a brief outline of planned and upcoming work including the occupations your sponsored skilled migrant will be working in; and
- submit your completed claim form.
If you are making milestone 1 claims for six or more skilled migrants:
- complete the CVSP Employer Sponsored Stream – Milestone 1 – Claim Form;
- 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.
How to apply for the CVSP 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 (below)
Step 1
Lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect to indicate your interest in WA State Nomination.
Step 2
If you have not already linked with an eligible WA employer, you can enter your details on the Skilled Migrant Employment Register (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 a registered Migration Agent to assist you through the visa process.
Step 3
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.
Building and Construction Occupations – Visa Availability
| ANZSCO
Code |
ANZSCO Name | EMPLOYER SPONSORED | SNMP | ||||
| DAMA
Flag3 |
Visa 482 | Visa 494 | Visa 186 | Visa 190 | Visa 491 | ||
| 133111 | Construction project manager | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 133112 | Project builder | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| 232111 | Architect | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 232112 | Landscape architect | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 232212 | Surveyor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 232611 | Urban and regional planner | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 233211 | Civil engineer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 233213 | Quantity surveyor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 233214 | Structural engineer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 312111 | Architectural draftsperson | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 312112 | Building associate | Yes | Yes | ||||
|
312113 |
Building inspector
(This code includes building certifiers and building surveyors) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
||
| 312114 | Construction estimator | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| 312115 | Plumbing inspector | Yes | |||||
| 312116 | Surveying or spatial science technician | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| 312199 | Architectural, building and surveying technicians not elsewhere classified | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 312211 | Civil engineering draftsperson | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 312212 | Civil engineering technician | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 312311 | Electrical Engineering Draftsperson | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 312312 | Electrical Engineering Technician | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 312911 | Maintenance planner | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| 312999 | Building and engineering technician nec | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| 331111 | Bricklayer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 331112 | Stonemason | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 331211 | Carpenter and joiner | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 331212 | Carpenter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 331213 | Joiner | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 332111 | Floor finisher | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||
| 332211 | Painting trades worker | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 333111 | Glazier | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 333211 | Fibrous plasterer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 333212 | Solid plasterer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 333311 | Roof tiler | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 333411 | Wall and floor tiler | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 334111 | Plumber (general) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 334115 | Roof plumber | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 334112 | Air conditioning and mechanical services plumber | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 334113 | Drainer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 334114 | Gasfitter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 341111 | Electrician (general) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 341112 | Electrician (special class) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ANZSCO
Code |
ANZSCO Name | EMPLOYER SPONSORED | SNMP | ||||
| DAMA
Flag3 |
Visa 482 | Visa 494 | Visa 186 | Visa 190 | Visa 491 | ||
| 341113 | Lift mechanic | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 342111 | Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 342411 | Cabler (data and telecommunications) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 362213
362711 |
Landscape gardener | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 394111 | Cabinetmaker | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 399912 | Interior decorator | Yes | |||||
| 399918 | Fire protection equipment technician | Yes | |||||
| 511111 | Contract administrator | Yes | Yes | ||||
| 712111 | Crane, hoist or lift operator | Yes | |||||
| 721211 | Earthmoving plant operator (general) | Yes | |||||
| 721212 | Backhoe operator | Yes | |||||
| 721214 | Excavator operator | Yes | |||||
| 721216 | Loader operator | Yes | |||||
| 721915 | Road roller operator | Yes | |||||
| 821211 | Concreter | Yes | |||||
| 821712 | Scaffolder | Yes | |||||
| 821713 | Steel fixer | Yes | |||||
| 821912 | Driller’s assistant | Yes | |||||
3 A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a formal agreement between the Australian government and a regional, State or Territory authority that provides access to more overseas workers than a standard skilled migration program.
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