Get Paid $10,000 to Relocate to Australia Via Construction Visa Subsidy Program 2024

The construction industry in Western Australia faces significant skills shortages that are hampering growth in the sector. To help address these shortages, the state government has introduced a new visa subsidy program that can pay skilled migrants up to $10,000 simply for relocating to WA to work in eligible construction trades and professions.

The Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP) aims to attract and retain skilled migrants to fill crucial roles across the building and construction industry. With ambitious infrastructure projects on the horizon, demand for trade workers, engineers, project managers and more is only expected to increase. Through the CVSP, both employers sponsoring migrants and independent skilled migrants can receive substantial financial support that makes relocating to WA a more viable option.

In this guide, we’ll cover all the key details about the CVSP, including eligibility requirements, the application process, payment milestones and how much financial assistance is on offer. Whether you’re a skilled worker looking to take advantage of this opportunity or an employer hoping to attract talent, keep reading to learn how you can benefit from the Construction Visa Subsidy Program in 2024.

What is the Construction Visa Subsidy Program?

The Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP) is a new initiative launched by the WA government in late 2023 to address critical skills shortages in the state’s construction industry. It operates through two main streams that provide financial grants to either employers sponsoring skilled migrants or independent skilled migrants securing state nomination:

• Employer-Sponsored Stream – For eligible WA-based employers sponsoring skilled migrants through the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) or Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) visa programs.
• State Nominated Stream – For skilled migrants who have secured state nomination via the Western Australian State Nominated Migration or Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa subclasses.

Both streams offer milestone payments of up to $10,000 total to help cover costs associated with skilled migration like agent fees, visa application charges, and relocation expenses. The CVSP aims to make WA a more attractive destination for skilled global talent and support local businesses in filling crucial vacancies.

How much funding is available?

Employers and skilled migrants can receive grant payments through the CVSP worth up to $10,000 each. The exact amounts depend on which stream applicants are eligible for and their location (onshore vs offshore):

Employer-Sponsored Stream

• Milestone 1: $2,000
• Milestone 2: $4,000
• Milestone 3: $4,000

State Nominated Stream (offshore applicants)

• Milestone 1: $5,000
• Milestone 2: $5,000

State Nominated Stream (onshore applicants)

• Milestone 1: $2,500
• Milestone 2: $2,500

So both streams offer the maximum $10,000 total funding but pay it out over different milestone points. Onshore applicants under the State Nominated Stream receive a reduced amount since their costs will be lower residing in Australia already.

Eligibility requirements

There are several key criteria applicants must meet to qualify for funding through the CVSP:

• Occupation – Skilled migrants must be working in or sponsored for an eligible construction occupation as listed by the WA government.
• Location – Employers must be headquartered in WA and conducting building/construction activities in the state. Skilled migrants under the State Nominated Stream must also work for an eligible employer in WA.
• Visa – For the Employer Sponsored Stream, employers can only sponsor through TSS or TRT visas. The State Nominated Stream requires state nomination via the WA 190/491 visa subclasses.
• Timeframe – Employers and skilled migrants typically need to meet the visa and employment milestones within 12-24 months of being approved under the CVSP.

Additionally, both employers and independent skilled migrants will need to agree to the Terms and Conditions of the CVSP program before receiving any grant payments. Applicants must also fulfill documentation and reporting requirements at each milestone.

Essentially, the CVSP is aimed at attracting genuine skilled migrants filling critical construction roles in WA, not those only seeking funds without intent to settle long-term. Eligibility helps ensure applicants fully commit to the state.

Applying through the Employer Sponsored Stream

For employers seeking to access funding, here is a summary of the application process through the Employer Sponsored Stream:

1. Submit a Milestone 1 Claim Form indicating intent to sponsor a skilled worker. Provide basic company and occupation details.
2. Find and select a suitably skilled migrant to sponsor. Options include the Skilled Migrant Employment Register or working with industry groups/migration agents.
3. Formally registered as a sponsored employer with the Department of Home Affairs.
4. Assist the skilled worker you’ve nominated to apply for the relevant visa (TSS/TRT).
5. Once their visa is granted, submit the Milestone 2 claim form for the $4,000 payment.
6. After the worker starts employment and receives their first payslip, submit the final Milestone 3 claim for $4,000.
7. Continue employing the worker for the term of their visa to fulfill sponsorship obligations.

Migration agents can assist employers through the full process if required. Employers may sponsor multiple skilled migrants but larger claims require additional documentation. Payments may take 4-6 weeks to be processed once all criteria are met.

Applying through the State Nominated Stream

For skilled migrants interested in taking advantage of the subsidy independently, here are the key application steps:

1. Lodge an EOI for state nomination through the SkillSelect system. Follow standard nomination requirements for your intended occupation.
2. Connect with a suitable employer in WA, either through your own networks or via the Skilled Migrant Employment Register.
3. Once granted state nomination and your 190/491 visa, register your arrival in Australia with Migration Services WA.
4. As soon as you commence employment with an eligible WA employer, submit the Milestone 1 Claim Form to receive the first payment.
5. After 6 months of continuous eligible employment, submit the final Milestone 2 claim form to receive the balance of funds owed.
6. Continue working for at least 2 years as per the terms of your WA state-nominated visa.

This stream aims to reimburse costs skilled migrants face in relocating from offshore already having secured state nomination and a potential job offer. The payments are meant to help with the transition period.

Eligible occupations

To qualify under the CVSP, skilled migrants and the roles being sponsored must correspond to one of the construction occupations listed as eligible. These cover a wide range of in-demand trades and professions but some examples include:

• Construction Project Manager
• Civil Engineer
• Carpenter
• Plumber
• Electrician
• Air Conditioning Mechanic
• Surveyor
• Draftsperson
• Plant Operator
• Bricklayer

A full downloadable list on the WA government website details every eligible ANZSCO code under both the Employer Sponsored and State Nominated streams. This ensures funding only supports genuine skills shortages facing the construction sector.

Benefits for employers

For WA-based building and construction companies, the CVSP provides some clear incentives to access skilled global talent:

• Attract skilled workers – A maximum $10,000 per migrant helps address talent shortages by making your opportunities more compelling from abroad.
• Reduce recruitment costs – Funding offsets traditional expenses like agent fees, advertising overseas, and relocation assistance.
• Retain skilled workers – Meeting sponsorship and employment obligations makes retaining sponsored migrants long-term more achievable.
• Access a wider talent pool – Tapping into global markets opens the door to specialized skills not readily available locally.
• Streamline sponsorship – Services like the Skilled Migrant Employment Register make finding and assessing talent more convenient.
• Gain migration expertise – Industry groups and agents provide reputable support in navigating the visa process.

By leveraging the CVSP, construction firms have an easier path to source critically needed roles and fuel future business growth with a stable workforce. The grants remove a financial barrier that may have previously deterred sponsors.

Benefits for skilled migrants

Independent skilled migrants too can capitalize on funding available through the State Nominated pathway:

• Subsidized relocation costs – Up to $10,000 helps cover initial migration and job searching expenses faced after arriving.
• Guaranteed employment – The program ensures migrants secure eligible roles upon reaching designated milestones.
• Stable work rights – State nomination leads to the 5-year 190 visa or initial 491 visa with a pathway to permanency.
• Streamlined job search – Resources like the SMER make it simpler to find construction work matching your credentials and experience.
• Welcoming industry – WA is Australia’s top construction state providing many specialized career opportunities close to home.
• Vibrant communities – Cities like Perth consistently rank among the world’s most liveable and offer a high quality of life.

For skilled migrants already holding state nominations, the CVSP provides an easy way to further offset costs associated with relocating down under. It makes starting your new career in WA that much more achievable.