New incentives to attract skilled workers to Western Australia are proving popular. Photo: Western Australian Government.
The Western Australian Government is making strides to expand the state’s construction workforce, with incentives and subsidy programs paying dividends.
New data from the Build a Life in WA (BALWA) incentive and the Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP) shows that skilled workers from other states, as well as New Zealand, are moving to WA.
The initiative is part of the Cook Government’s broader housing and construction strategy, with $12.3 million invested in the current budget to extend the incentives to attract workers who can build homes for the state.
“Our government’s vision is to ensure every Western Australian has a home,” Acting Skills and TAFE Minister Simone McGurk said.
“That’s why we have enacted the Build a Life in WA incentive and the Construction Visa Subsidy Program.”
Eligible workers are provided with up to $10,000, through two “milestone” payments, to support their move to WA to work in the construction industry.
Some skills are in particular demand, with carpenters, electricians, plumbers, bricklayers and construction project managers being the most valuable workers to the state.
New workers are increasing the construction workforce, made up of 648 construction and building firms, 151 of which employ more than one skilled worker.
Since the CVSP program began in July 2023, WA building employers have received more than $12.6 million in funding to sponsor skilled migrants. This has led to 1058 skilled workers starting work throughout the state, building homes and contributing to other projects.
Skilled migrants in construction are working in carpentry, electrical services, cabinetmaking, plastering, civil engineering, surveying and landscaping.
“These initiatives have helped boost our construction workforce and provided more skilled workers to build more houses to meet the demands of our growing economy,” Mr McGurk said.
“At the same time, we are investing in TAFE through fee-free and low-fee courses to ensure we have the next generation of skilled workers.”
By filling building company jobs that cannot be filled with local labour, the government hopes to speed up the construction of homes and major projects across the state.
Businesses can also access payments of up to $10,000 to offset the costs of bringing in labour, such as migration agent fees, visa application charges and relocation expenses.
