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Construction Visa Subsidy program

 

The State Government is investing in initiatives to ensure locals are training for jobs for the future, but there is a need to retain skilled migrants in WA and for interstate and overseas workers who have the skills needed by WA businesses today.

The new Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP) is supporting Western Australian construction businesses to fill the demand for a skilled workforce.

The program will provide grant payments of up to $10,000 to support skilled migration visa pathways for workers and help offset expenses such as migration agent fees, visa application fees and relocation costs.

WA Employers (CVSP Employer Sponsored Stream) and independent skilled migrants (CVSP State Nominated Stream) may be eligible for the CVSP.

Milestone payments

Employers

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

Offshore Skilled Migrants

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

Onshore Skilled Migrants

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

Eligibility for the 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, in an eligible occupation(opens in a new tab).

For more information about eligibility, please see the CVSP Terms and Conditions

A man in a grey button up shirt looking into camera

How to apply for the Employer Sponsored Stream

Process map outlining the steps required for an employer engaging the CVSP

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.

If you have not already found a skilled migrant you would like to sponsor there are a range of options you can explore:

You may also choose to engage a registered Migration Agent(opens in a new tab) to assist you through the visa process.

Apply to become a sponsor with the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs(opens in a new tab), and nominate an occupation and the skilled migrant you want to sponsor.

You may also choose to engage a registered Migration Agent(opens in a new tab) to assist you through the visa process.

Work with your skilled migrant and/or Migration Agent, to select the visa that your skilled migrant is eligible for.

Your nominated skilled migrant should then lodge the visa application(opens in a new tab) through the Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount(opens in a new tab) gateway service.

You may also choose to engage a registered Migration Agent(opens in a new tab) to assist you through the visa process.

When your skilled migrant’s visa has been granted, complete CVSP Employer Sponsored Stream – Milestone 2 – Claim Form to receive your second payment.

When your skilled migrant has commenced employment with you and received their first payslip, complete CVSP Employer Sponsored Stream – Milestone 3 – Claim Form to receive your final payment.

If you need to advise us of a change to your banking details for CVSP payments, please complete the CVSP - Change of Bank Account Details form. 

Navigating a new process can be tricky - but we are here to help! Our friendly Construction Migration Office(opens in a new tab) can guide you through this process and help you to access other services. Email us today for more information or to book in a meeting.

Eligibility for the 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.

For more information about eligibility, please see the CVSP Terms and Conditions.

A Man in a Blue shirt with arms crossed smiles directly at the camera

How to apply for the State Nominated Stream

Process map outlining the steps required for a migrant engaging the CVSP

Lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect(opens in a new tab) to indicate your interest in WA State Nomination. 

Detailed information including a step-by-step process to apply for the WA State Nominated Migration Program can be found here. 

You may also choose to engage a registered Migration Agent(opens in a new tab) to assist you through the visa process.

If you have not already linked with an eligible employer, you can enter your details on the Skilled Migrant Employment Register(opens in a new tab) (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(opens in a new tab) to assist you through the visa process.

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(opens in a new tab).

When you have commenced your employment with an eligible employer, and received your first payslip, complete the CVSP State Nominated Stream – Milestone 1 – Claim Form to receive your first payment.

When you have completed six months of work in WA’s construction industry, complete the CVSP State Nominated Stream – Milestone 2 – Claim Form to receive your final payment.

Navigating a new process can be tricky - but we are here to help! Our friendly Construction Migration Office(opens in a new tab) can guide you through this process and help you to access other services. Email us today for more information, or to book in a meeting.

CVSP Eligible Occupations

The following Building and Constructions occupations are available for the CVSP, through the listed Visa pathways.

ANZSCO Code

ANZSCO Name Employer Sponsored SNMP
DAMA* Visa 482 Visa 494 Visa 186 Visa 190 Visa 491
113111 Construction project manager            
133112 Project builder -     - -  
232111 Architect -          
232112 Landscape Architect -          
232212 Surveyor            
232611 Urban and regional planner       -    
233211 Civil engineer            
233213 Quantity surveyor -          
233214 Structural engineer            
312111 Architectural draftsperson -     -    
312112 Building associate   -   - - -
312113 Building inspector (This code includes building certifiers and building surveyors) -     -    
312114 Construction estimator -     - -  
312115 Plumbing inspector - -   - - -
312116 Surveying or spatial science technician -     - -  
312199 Architectural, building and surveying technicians nec -     -    
312211 Civil engineering draftsperson            
312212 Civil engineering technician            
312311 Electrical Engineering Draftsperson -          
312312 Electrical Engineering Technician -          
312911 Maintenance planner -     - -  
312999 Building and engineering technician nec -     - -  
331111 Bricklayer -          
331112 Stonemason -          
331211 Carpenter and joiner    
 
     
331212 Carpenter            
331213 Joiner -          
332111 Floor Finisher -     - -  
332211 Painting trades worker -          
333111 Glazier -          
333211 Fibrous plasterer -          
333212 Solid plasterer -          
333311 Roof tiler -     -    
333411 Wall and floor tiler            
334111 Plumber (general) -          
334115 Roof plumber -          
334112 Air conditioning and mechanical services plumber - -        
334113 Drainer -          
334114 Gasfitter -          
341111 Electrician (general)            
341112 Electrician (special class)            
341113 Lift mechanic -          
342111 Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic -          
342411 Cabler (data and telecommunications) -     -    
362213 and 362711 Landscape gardener -     -    
394111 Cabinetmaker -          
399912 Interior decorator - -   - - -
399918 Fire protection equipment technician - -   - - -
511111 Contract administrator -     - - -
712111 Crane, hoist or lift operator   - - - - -
721211 Earthmoving plant operator (general)   - - - - -
721212 Backhoe operator   - - - - -
721214 Excavator operator   - - - - -
721216 Loader operator   - - - - -
721915 Road roller operator   - - - - -
821211 Concreter   - - - - -
821712 Scaffolder   - - - - -
821713 Steel fixer   - - - - -
821912 Driller's assistant   - - - - -

*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