Through the Government of Western Australia (WA) Construction Visa Subsidy Program, you can immigrate to Western Australia (WA) as an overseas worker on a free visa and while at it get paid up to $10,000 to move to Australia as a construction worker! The Australian Government is recruiting Construction Workers from overseas offering a free Visa + $10,000.
The main reason the government of Australia is paying overseas workers to move to Australia as a construction worker is to encourage building and construction workers from outside Australia to move to Western Australia and work in the construction sector in Australia due to labor shortages.
The Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP) has been introduced to provide financial support for employers and independent skilled migrants to assist them to connect with employment opportunities in the Western Australian building and construction industry.
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Australia Construction Visa Subsidy Program | DETAILS
The recently launched Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP) is playing a crucial role in assisting construction enterprises in Western Australia to meet the growing demand for a proficient construction workforce.
This initiative offers grant payments, reaching up to $10,000, to facilitate skilled migration visa routes for workers. It aims to alleviate financial burdens associated with the migration process, covering expenses like migration agent fees, visa application fees, and relocation costs.
How Overseas Construction Workers can Apply for the Australia Construction Visa
Eligible overseas skilled migrants who apply for their construction worker visa outside of Australia, will receive payments of up to $10,000 at two milestone points:
- Milestone 1 – $5,000
- Milestone 2 – $5,000
To be paid the $10,000 to move to Australia as a construction worker, you will have to apply through the State nominated stream.
Eligible costs
Applicants will be eligible to utilise the subsidy to offset costs incurred in the migration process.
These may include but are not limited to:
- recruitment costs;
- fees paid to a registered Migration Agent;
- visa application fees; and
- relocation costs.
Eligibility for the State Nominated Stream
To be eligible for the CVSP independent skilled migrants must be:
- granted a visa through the Western Australia State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) in one of the following visa subclasses – 190 or 491;
- 190 Skilled Nominated (permanent); and
- 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional).
- employed by a business headquartered and undertaking building and construction work in Western Australia; and
- working in an eligible occupation.
The Australian visas 190 or 491 under this grant pathway operate on a points-based system.
This means that the applicant must have a minimum of 65 points to apply.
But to increase your chances of being invited by the Australia government to apply for these Australian building and construction worker visas, you will need to have more points.
For more information about eligibility, please see the CVSP Terms and Conditions.
How to apply for the State Nominated Stream
Step 1: Lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect
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.
Step 2: Connect with an employer in Australia hiring Construction workers from outside Australia
If you have not already linked with an eligible 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.
How to join the Australia Skilled Migrant Employment Register
This is the register through which you will find employers in Australia hiring overseas construction workers as a skilled immigrant construction worker seeking employment in Western Australia (WA).
Step 1 – If you are a skilled migrant who would like to connect with employers across WA, sign up for the Migration WA Portal and create a profile by clicking the button below.
Step 2 – Once you have created a portal profile, complete a registration to join the Skilled Migrant Employment Register, where you can promote your desired employment occupation/s, location, skills, and experience to employers with current WA job vacancies.
If your registration meets the Terms and Conditions, your information (with your identity kept private) will be published on the Skilled Migrant Employment Register, where the new automated job matching function may direct verified employers with current WA job vacancies to view your registration. Your personal information and uploaded documents will be shared if you match with an interested employer.
Step 3 – If an employer wishes to connect with you, they will send you an ‘Invitation to Connect’ via the Migration WA Portal.
Step 4 – Log into the Portal at your convenience to update your profile, upload your employment related documents and manage your Invitations to Connect.
Step 3 – Register your visa approval
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.
Step 4 – Lodge a Milestone 1 Claim
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.
Step 5 – Lodge a Milestone 2 Claim
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.
If you need further consultation, please feel free to contact the Australia Construction Migration Office who will be happy to guide you through this process and help you to access other services.
You can also Email them for more information, or to book in a meeting: Email the Construction Migration Office.
CVSP Eligible Occupations for the Australia Construction Worker Visa
The following Building and Constructions occupations are available for the CVSP Australia construction worker visa, through which you will be paid to move to Australia as a construction worker through the listed Visa pathways.
Eligible Building and Construction Occupations and Visa Availability
| ANZSCO Code | ANZSCO Name | Employer Sponsored | SNMP | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAMA* | Visa 482 | Visa 494 | Visa 186 | Visa 190 | Visa 491 | ||
| 113111 | Construction project manager | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 133112 | Project builder | – | Y | Y | – | – | Y |
| 232111 | Architect | – | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 232112 | Landscape Architect | – | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 232212 | Surveyor | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 232611 | Urban and regional planner | Y | Y | Y | – | Y | Y |
| 233211 | Civil engineer | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 233213 | Quantity surveyor | – | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 233214 | Structural engineer | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 312111 | Architectural draftsperson | – | Y | Y | – | Y | Y |
| 312112 | Building associate | Y | – | Y | – | – | – |
| 312113 | Building inspector (This code includes building certifiers and building surveyors) | – | Y | Y | – | Y | Y |
| 312114 | Construction estimator | – | Y | Y | – | – | Y |
| 312115 | Plumbing inspector | – | – | Y | – | – | – |
| 312116 | Surveying or spatial science technician | – | Y | Y | – | – | Y |
| 312199 | Architectural, building and surveying technicians nec | – | Y | Y | – | Y | Y |
| 312211 | Civil engineering draftsperson | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 312212 | Civil engineering technician | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 312311 | Electrical Engineering Draftsperson | – | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 312312 | Electrical Engineering Technician | – | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 312911 | Maintenance planner | – | Y | Y | – | – | Y |
| 312999 | Building and engineering technician nec | – | Y | Y | – | – | Y |
| 331111 | Bricklayer | – | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 331112 | Stonemason | – | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 331211 | Carpenter and joiner | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 331212 | Carpenter | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 331213 | Joiner | – | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 332111 | Floor Finisher | – | Y | Y | – | – | Y |
| 332211 | Painting trades worker | – | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 333111 | Glazier | – | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 333211 | Fibrous plasterer | – | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 333212 | Solid plasterer | – | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 333311 | Roof tiler | – | Y | Y | – | Y | Y |
| 333411 | Wall and floor tiler | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 334111 | Plumber (general) | – | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 334115 | Roof plumber | – | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 334112 | Air conditioning and mechanical services plumber | – | – | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 334113 | Drainer | – | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 334114 | Gasfitter | – | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 341111 | Electrician (general) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 341112 | Electrician (special class) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 341113 | Lift mechanic | – | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 342111 | Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic | – | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 342411 | Cabler (data and telecommunications) | – | Y | Y | – | Y | Y |
| 362213 and 362711 | Landscape gardener | – | Y | Y | – | Y | Y |
| 394111 | Cabinetmaker | – | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 399912 | Interior decorator | – | – | Y | – | – | – |
| 399918 | Fire protection equipment technician | – | – | Y | – | – | – |
| 511111 | Contract administrator | – | Y | Y | – | – | – |
| 712111 | Crane, hoist or lift operator | Y | – | – | – | – | – |
| 721211 | Earthmoving plant operator (general) | Y | – | – | – | – | – |
| 362213 | Backhoe operator | Y | – | – | – | – | – |
| 721214 | Excavator operator | Y | – | – | – | – | – |
| 721216 | Loader operator | Y | – | – | – | – | – |
| 721915 | Road roller operator | Y | – | – | – | – | – |
| 821211 | Concreter | Y | – | – | – | – | – |
| 821712 | Scaffolder | Y | – | – | – | – | – |
| 821713 | Steel fixer | Y | – | – | – | – | – |
| 821912 | Driller’s assistant | Y | – | – | – | – | – |
*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.
Employer Sponsored Stream
You can also move to Australia as a building and construction worker under the Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP) of Western Australian through the employer sponsored stream.
In this situation though, its the construction business that will receive the $10,000 from the Western Australian government for each skilled migrant they employ.
To move to Australia as a building and construction worker under the Construction Visa Subsidy Program through the business pathway, the business must:
- Sponsor you – an overseas worker on either a subclass 482, 494 or 186.
- Nominate you on an eligible occupation (see list above).
- Have their head office located in Western Australia
- Be undertaking building and construction work.
Although the employer is eligible for the grant under the above mentioned visas, you as the overseas worker who is being sponsored under either of these visas will not be eligible for the $10,000 grant.
How to apply for the Employer Sponsored Stream
