A program offering up a $10,000 incentive to lure overseas tradies to WA will be extended for another year as the State Government looks to fill out its under-manned construction workforce.
In the last year, more than 1000 overseas tradies have applied for the Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP), which offers firms looking to hire construction workers from overseas subsidies of $10,000 to offset migration agent fees, visa application and relocation costs.
According to the state, this has helped hundreds of skilled migrants from all across the world jump on the tools in WA’s most in-demand building and construction occupations, including air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics, roof plumbing, carpentry, glazing, electrical services, bricklaying, civil engineering, plastering, cabinet making and wall and floor tiling.
But with no end in sight for the lingering workforce shortage plaguing housing projects in 2024, Premier Roger Cooke and Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk announced on Saturday the program would be extended in the hopes of doubling its target over another year.
“We’ve now hit our target, with all initial places being snapped up,” Ms McGurk said.
“Hundreds of those workers are now working on building sites, with many more progressing through the immigration system.
“The feedback we’re getting from employers who have taken up this opportunity is overwhelmingly positive.
“Expanding this program for the next 12 months will make more places available, so more WA employers can access up to $10,000 to offset costs such as visa application fees and relocation expenses.”
But getting overseas tradies to WA under the subsidy program has been slow going. Despite the program being launched last year, just 230 skilled construction workers have actually landed in WA, with another 120 expected to arrive in about a month.
The arrival times for the other 750 applicants wanting to come to WA are still unknown, but Housing Industry Association WA boss Michael McGowan said that this slow stream of tradies was just a sign of the industry “dipping their toes” in the visa system.
“Of course we would like these people here sooner, but for those navigating it for the first time there are some unknowns that need to be worked through,” said McGowan back in May.
“Money is only one part of the migration solution, you have to find a suitable candidate and navigate a complex Federal migration system before that person can travel and start work in Australia.
“Skilled migration has not been something that WA building companies have traditionally engaged in, but for those that have, the feedback has been extremely positive.
Moving forward, Premier Cooke said these skilled migrants would play a major part in realising the state’s housing goals and rectifying the shortages plaguing the industry.
“WA’s strong economy and enviable lifestyle are driving significant demand for housing and my Government is doing everything we can to boost our construction workforce, so we can get more homes built for Western Australians,” he said.
“We’re committed to continuing to create quality local jobs for local people, but acknowledge we need to attract skilled workers to grow our residential construction workforce.
“This program is not only helping small and medium businesses get the workers they need – it’s developing a pipeline of construction workers to deliver more homes for now and the future.”
