We are excited to bring you the latest news from Western Australia’s thriving construction and building sector. As many of you are aware, Western Australia has long been committed to promoting its construction and building sector. This commitment has once again been evident in the recent invitation round conducted in August 2023. During this round, it was notable that a significant number of invitations were extended to individuals in occupations related to the construction and building sector. This serves as a testament to the state’s dedication to this industry’s growth and development.
Now, let’s dive into the details of this groundbreaking initiative – the Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP). This program aims to support and bolster the construction and building sector by offering subsidies to eligible visa applicants. It provides financial support to eligible applicants, making the dream of working and living in Western Australia more attainable than ever before.
The initiative aims to offer grants of up to $10,000 to assist skilled migration visa applicants in covering various expenses, including migration agent fees, visa application fees, and relocation costs. There are two streams under the CVSP:
How to apply for 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.
Step 1: Lodge an EOI
- The first step is to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect to indicate your desire for WA State Nomination. This is a crucial step as it sets the foundation for your migration journey. Make sure to follow the detailed instructions provided in the WA State Nominated Migration Program.
Step 2: Connect with an Employer
- If you haven’t already connected with an eligible WA employer, don’t worry! You can enter your details on the Skilled Migrant Employment Register (SMER). The SMER serves as a platform for you to express your interest in working in WA and gives potential employers the opportunity to connect with you. Alternatively, you can opt to work with a registered Migration Agent to guide you through the visa process.
Step 3: Connect with an Employer
- Once you’ve been approved for State Nomination and your visa has been granted, it’s time to register your arrival and visa approval with Migration Services. This step ensures that you’re officially recognized as a skilled migrant in WA.
Step 4: Commence Employment and Claim Milestone 1
- Now that you’ve arrived in WA and found employment with an eligible employer, you’ll receive your first payslips. At this point, you can complete the CVSP State Nominated Stream – Milestone 1 – Claim Form to receive your initial payment. This payment is a significant step toward your successful settlement in WA.
Step 5: Complete 6 Months of Work and Claim Milestone 2
As you continue your journey in WA’s construction industry, make sure to accumulate 6 months of work experience in the sector. Once you’ve achieved this milestone, you can complete the CVSP State Nominated Stream – Milestone 2 – Claim Form to receive your final payment. This marks the completion of your CVSP journey and highlights your successful integration into the local workforce.
How to apply for 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
- company must be headquartered and engaged in construction work in Western Australia in an eligible occupation.
Step 1: Determine Eligibility
- Milestone 1 Claims (For 1 or More Skilled Migrants):
- Complete the CVSP Employer Sponsored Stream – Milestone 1 – Claim Form.
- Agree to comply with the CVSP Terms and Conditions.
- Declare your intent to become a sponsor with the Department of Home Affairs and sponsor a skilled migrant.
- Submit the completed claim form.
- Milestone 1 Claims (For 2-5 or More Skilled Migrants):
- In addition to the above, provide a brief outline of planned and upcoming work, including the occupations your sponsored skilled migrants will be working in.
- Milestone 1 Claims (For 6 or More Skilled Migrants):
- Along with the above steps, 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 specify the occupations your sponsored skilled migrants will work in.
- Describe your plans for onboarding and supporting your skilled migrants.
- Submit the completed claim form.
Step 2: Find Skilled Migrants
- If you haven’t found a skilled migrant to sponsor, register your details to access the Skilled Migrant Employment Register (SMER), which can connect you with potential candidates seeking employment opportunities in WA.
Step 3: Become a Sponsor
- Apply to become a sponsor with the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs and nominate the occupation and skilled migrant you wish to sponsor.
Step 4: Visa Application
- Work with your skilled migrant and/or a Migration Agent to select the appropriate visa.
- The nominated skilled migrant should then lodge the visa application through the Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount gateway service.
Step 5: Claim Milestone 2 Payment
- Once your skilled migrant’s visa is granted, complete the CVSP Employer Sponsored Stream – Milestone 2 – Claim Form to receive your second payment.
Step 6: Claim Milestone 3 Payment
- When your skilled migrant begins employment with you and receives their first payslips, complete CVSP Employer Sponsored Stream – Milestone 3 – Claim Form to receive your final payment.
CVSP Payment Threshold
For Eligible 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
For Skilled Migrants who apply for their visa offshore:
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
For Skilled migrants who are already onshore when the CVSP commences:
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
Conclusion
As your dedicated migration and education consultants, Think Higher Consultants is here to guide you through every step of the CVSP application process, ensuring you have the best chance of success. We’ll help you navigate the complexities of securing a job offer, meeting eligibility requirements, and preparing a strong application.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from Think Higher Consultants, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or assistance you may need on your journey to Western Australia.
