Western Australia Secures 10,000 Seats for Skilled Migrants | Australia Immigration Updates

Western Australia has negotiated a strategic agreement with the federal government to ensure 10,000 seats for skilled migrants. This action responds to the state’s increasing need for skilled labor across a range of industries, offering both domestic and foreign skilled workers a plethora of chances.

This blog focuses on prospects for offshore skilled workers in the construction industry and covers topics such as state-nominated migration programs (Subclass 491 and Subclass 190 Visas), federal and state government coordination, and the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA).

Federal and State Government Collaboration

Through successful negotiations, Western Australia was able to secure 10,000 seats for skilled migrants in the federal government. This calculated action responds to the state’s increasing need for skilled workers in a variety of industries.

State-nominated Migration Program (Subclass 491 and Subclass 190 Visas)

Five thousand of the ten thousand seats will go toward the state-nominated migration program, which is primarily focused on Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visas. The goal of this program is to draw qualified workers to important industries such as building, healthcare, senior citizen housing, tourism, and hospitality.

Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)

The Designated Area Migration Agreement will apply to the remaining 5,000 seats (DAMA). The seats will be divided equally between metropolitan and regional districts under this arrangement. Employers who are unable to locate qualified candidates locally nominate candidates for DAMA visas. Three major sectors that gain from DAMA are construction, senior care, and hospitality.

Focus on the Construction Industry

Notable nominations are anticipated, especially in the construction sector. Western Australia made a lot of accommodations for workers in trades like carpentry, joinery, bricklaying, and civil engineering technology last year. Given the prolonged housing crisis and the necessity for trained workers to meet construction demands, this trend is probably going to continue.

Opportunities for Offshore Skilled Workers

Offshore skilled individuals are also encouraged to apply since there are a lot of seats available. This program is intended for those who are not readily available locally, such as Australian citizens, permanent residents, and people with temporary visas.

Are you prepared to apply? Now is the time to take advantage of the chance if your profile meets the requirements. For additional information about how to apply for these visas and updates, follow the link.

Australia State Visa Allocations for 2024-2025

As we get closer to the fiscal year 2024–25, the situation for Skilled State Nominated Immigration Pathways in Australia remains dynamic and complex. The Australian government has made available the state-nominated migration slots for the fiscal year 2024–2025. For potential migrants, this year’s allocation is higher than last year’s, which is a significant shift.

There has been an unexpected rise in the quota for state and territory nominations in several places, which is a sign of the expanding scarcity of skilled labor in several areas. Lower quotas in Queensland as a result of increased interstate migration have created a new situation that poses unique challenges for candidates wishing to be nominated from Queensland in 2024–2025 and beyond.

Notably, this year’s allocations have quadrupled over last year’s, which is a big development for potential migrants. This blog post will look at Australia’s most recent State and Territory Visa Allotments for the fiscal year 2024–2025.

Western Australia’s Allocation

Beginning July 1, 2024, Western Australia will make 5,000 State-nominated migration seats available for the 190 and 491 visas. This allocation reflects the state’s demand for qualified immigrants to support its economic growth. Please visit the Western Australian immigration website for more information, as the qualifying standards have not yet been made public.

Australian Capital Territories Allocation

The Australian Capital Territory distributed the same number of seats on July 16, 2024: 1,000 for 190 visa applications and 800 for 491 visa nominations. The goal of this distribution is to mitigate regional labor shortages by achieving parity among the Visa categories. While we wait for eligibility requirements, more information is accessible on the Australian Capital Territory’s immigration website.

Victoria’s Allocation

Victoria revealed the 5,000 migration locations that the State has designated for them on July 17, 2024. two thousand places for 491 nominations and three thousand spaces for 190 visa nominations. A large portion of this allocation is set aside for the 190 Visa, which confers permanent residency, to attract qualified people to assist its several sectors.

The eligibility details will soon be available, but in the interim, check the Victoria Government website to stay informed.

Queensland

Queensland has rejected the first quota offered by the federal government, citing large Interstate migration and upcoming State elections as justifications. According to reports, the already meager cap of 1,000 spots from the previous year has been reduced to a lower quota of just 6,190 seats for the current fiscal year. State officials haven’t yet confirmed this, though.

This poses a significant challenge for skilled migrants residing in Queensland, especially for those pursuing State nomination, as there is currently a backlog of candidates competing for a Visa invitation, raising the bar for selection.

Future Allocation Announcements

Soon, the states of Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory are anticipated to declare their official migration windows. Due to these announcements, there will be more slots available overall, which will present skilled migrants with more options around Australia.

Once the qualifying conditions are made public, the number of migration seats available for those looking to relocate to Australia will double in the fiscal year 2024–2025. Candidates ought to be aware of them and get ready to apply.

Investigating Alternative Routes Designated by State While getting permanent status in Australia through a visa pathway is always a desired option, there are other choices as well. If you receive a job offer from an Australian company willing to sponsor you, you should consider other immigration possibilities, such as employer-sponsored visas, given the present immigration situation. These visas might provide a more expedited route to permanent residence.

The Inter-State Option (Pros and Cons)

Moving to a new state or territory may seem alluring, especially if those places have more lenient laws or higher quotas. This choice is not without its own set of uncertainty, as the majority of localities have not yet verified their sponsorship policies. However, according to standards from previous program years, most places require candidates to have lived and worked in the area for three to twelve months to be eligible for sponsorship.