Western Australia opens permanent residency doors for skilled workers in over 300 occupations

Western Australia (WA) Government is implementing new initiatives to attract skilled migrants and international students to help alleviate skills shortages.

As part of the State Government’s $195 million Reconnect WA strategy, an additional 194 occupations have been added to the Graduate Occupation List – taking the total number of listed occupations to 331 – to attract more international students to study in WA. Expansion of the Graduate Occupation List will help to attract a broad and diverse range of skills that align with the State’s current and future workforce needs.

The skilled migration pathway will also provide international students graduating in WA with the option to apply for permanent residence. Along with prioritising applicants who are already in WA and Australia, the State Government has expanded the skilled migration criteria to allow offshore candidates to apply for WA State nomination. The changes will simultaneously support the international education sector and add to WA’s pipeline of skilled workers in priority areas. The new initiatives also complement strategies to address skills shortages following industry consultation at the Perth and Regional Skills Summits.

WHY DO PEOPLE IMMIGRATE TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA?

Western Australia is the largest state in Australia and the country’s most isolated region. It contains many national parks, the vast Kimberley region of northern Australia, and some of the most spectacular coastline in the world. Western Australia has a unique history, with its first inhabitants moving there over 40,000 years ago and many Indigenous Australians still living there today.

Home to several of the world’s largest mining operations, Western Australia’s economy is largely driven by the export of natural resources. This makes it a great place for people looking for employment in those industries. The agricultural sector here is also growing. Western Australians are typically more laid back than their eastern counterparts and more welcoming to newcomers.

This beautiful and diverse state has plenty to offer visitors and new residents. Western Australia’s wonderful natural environment has made it an attractive destination for tourism, and it is also home to thriving wine industry. The state also has an impressive arts scene, including many world-class exhibitions every year.

WHAT OCCUPATION LISTS SHOULD YOU STUDY IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MIGRATING TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA?

To win the Western Australian State nomination, you will have to check out:

• Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL): This occupation list is meant for skilled workers applying for:
  • Skilled Nominated Visa or Visa Subclass 190; or
  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa or Visa Subclass 491.

It has two streams:

• General Stream WASMOL Schedule 1: Applicants already living in Australia, with at least one year of experience in the chosen field, and three years of overseas work experience over the last 10 years in the nominated occupation can apply through this stream.
• General Stream WASMOL Schedule 2: Applicants already living in Australia and work in the occupation nominated in the Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List Schedule 2 can apply through this stream.

Applicants applying through both the streams of WASMOL need to meet minimum English language proficiency requirements and have a full-time job offer in the state for at least 12 months.

• Graduate Occupation List (GOL): It is meant for visa applicants who seek entry to Western Australia through the graduate stream. They should have gained a Certificate III or higher qualification in Western Australia, including at least two years of full-time study from an approved Western Australian university or institution. They should have at least six months of paid work experience in Australia in the chosen occupation and a job offer of full-time employment in Western Australia for at least 6 months.

Tips to Study Western Australia Occupation Lists

1. Occupations marked as ‘Available’ are the ones under which you can apply for the nomination invitation by WA.
2. Occupations marked as ‘Under Review’ are the occupations still being reviewed. Whether they will be made available or not depends on the outcome of the review.
3. Occupations marked as ‘Closed’ are occupations under which you cannot apply for the nomination invitation by WA anymore.
4. If a candidate chooses to apply for Western Australian nomination for ‘Regional Western Australia only’, then they have to provide evidence of a job offer from an employer in the designated areas (areas with the postcodes – 6041 to 6044, 6084, 6207, 6213, 6215 to 6537, and 6560 to 6770).
5. Occupations mentioned on the Occupation Lists do not guarantee a job. They simply mention occupations that are a priority for Western Australia right now. Applicants will have to compete in the Western Australian labour market to land a job in their chosen field.

The skilled migration pathway will also provide international students graduating in WA with the option to apply for permanent residence.

However, invitations to apply for WA state nomination under the new Graduate Occupation List will not commence until the 2022-23 program year.

State Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery said, “Meeting Western Australia’s skilled workforce needs is a priority for the State Government, to support the State’s strong economic growth and pipeline of works.”

“The WA Government’s management of COVID-19 has helped to keep the State’s economy strong and stable. With world-class education, healthy job opportunities and strong public health management, there is no better or safer place to live, work and study,” she said.

“International students are an important part of the WA community – they make a positive contribution to the State’s diversity and vibrancy, and support local jobs in a variety of industries,” International Education Minister David Templeman said.

“Providing a skilled migration pathway is key for attracting international students to Western Australia to retain their capabilities once they have completed their studies,” Mr Templeman added.

Perth-based Pradeep Kumar, who has lodged an expression of interest, is delighted to know about the latest development.

“I decided to move to Perth a few years back from New South Wales as it was hard to receive state nomination in NSW,” Mr Kumar

“I have now applied to the WA government and I am positive that I will receive the nomination this time as my occupation as a chef is added to the list,” he added.

Sydney-based migration expert Nishant Sharma said the state’s occupation list is the most expansive one compared to other states.

“There are several new occupations to choose from like cook, caravan park manager, data entry operator, ambulance officer or youth worker,” he said, adding the move will offer opportunities to the offshore skilled migrants as well as international students who study in the state.

“The applicants can start submitting their applications but the nominations will not be sent before the 2022-23 program year,” Mr Sharma explained

Latest Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL) Schedule 1– 2022

Latest Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL) Schedule 2– 2022

Latest Western Australian Graduation Occupation List (GOL) – 2021