New initiatives to attract skilled migrants and international students to Western Australia to help fill skills shortages have been announced by the Minister for Education and Training, Sue Ellery.
According to Ms Ellery, the State Government’s $195 million Reconnect WA strategy will see an additional 194 occupations added to the Graduate Occupation List – taking the total number of listed occupations to 331 in a bid to attract more international students to study in WA.
“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,” Ms Ellery said.
“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.
“The State Government is committed to encouraging the return of international students to WA to support our international education sector and address skills shortages in key industries.”
Ms Ellery said expansion of the Graduate Occupation List would 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,” the Minister said.
“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.”
She said the changes will simultaneously support the international education sector and add to WA’s pipeline of skilled workers in priority areas and the new initiatives also complement strategies to address skills shortages following industry consultation at the Perth and Regional Skills Summits.
More information is available on the Migration WA website at this PS News link.
