New Skilled Migration Stream for Western Australia

New Skilled Migration Stream for Western Australia

Western Australia has been vocal in expressing support for skilled migration to their state, recently introducing the new Graduate stream for the Skilled Nomination subclass 190 visa and Skilled Regional (Provisional) subclass 489 visa.

With skilled migration becoming more competitive and alternative migration options becoming limited for student graduates, this is a welcomed pathway for many to consider.

Western Australia Graduate Stream

Until recently, applicants seeking nomination from Western Australia were required to go through the General stream by first nominating an occupation on the Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL).

WASMOL is available only to certain medical professionals and resulted in a low number of migrants to the state.

Effective 25 September 2018, applicants seeking to nominate a non-medical related occupation may now have the opportunity to do this in Western Australia under the Graduate Stream.

The benefit of the Graduate stream is that it offers a long list of occupations from within a variety of industries including Professionals, Engineers, Medicals and ICT specialists.

Requirements for the Graduate Stream

To qualify, applicants must be university graduates who studied full time for at least 2 years at a Western Australian university and who can nominate an occupation on the new Graduate Occupation List (GOL) for either the 190 or 489 visa.

Masters and Ph.D. graduates are able to nominate any occupation on the GOL, whilst students completing a Bachelor, Bachelor Honors Degree, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma will be able to nominate a select few from that same list.

Similarly, to the General stream, additional requirements include:

English language requirements: Applicants nominating an ANZSCO Major Occupation Group 1 and 2 must demonstrate Proficient English. All others are required to demonstrate Competent English.

Work experience: Either 12 months work experience in Australia within the last 10 years, or at least 3 years relevant work experience overseas within the last 10 years. In both cases, the experience must be in the nominated occupation or closely related to the nominated occupation (not required for Western Australian Ph.D. or Masters Degree students using the Graduate stream)

Contract of employment: A full-time job offer, for a minimum period of 12 months, is required, even for applicants under the Graduate stream.

Economy to benefit from new graduate migration stream

Applications now open for Graduate Occupation List under the State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP)

The new list will provide a pathway to skilled migration for Western Australia's best and brightest international graduates

The initiative will attract the best global talent to boost the economy and create jobs for Western Australians

The best and brightest international graduates from Western Australian universities can now submit an expression of interest under the McGowan Government's new Graduate Occupation List.

Candidates who wish to be considered for State nomination under the graduate stream of the SNMP will need to submit an expression of interest using the Federal Department of Home Affairs' Skill Select database. Best and brightest graduates will be invited to apply each month.

It is expected the new Graduate Occupation List will attract an increased number of high-quality international graduates - with Ph.D., Masters, Honours, Bachelors and other higher degrees - to help grow WA's share of the international education market and create jobs for Western Australians.

These graduates are essential to maintaining the competitiveness of WA's universities, building capacity and strengthening the future workforce.

Information about eligibility and how to apply is now available on the Department of Training and Workforce Development's migration portal at http://www.migration.wa.gov.au

The existing Skilled Migration Occupation List will not be affected.

The McGowan Government has also committed $2 million to develop a detailed and comprehensive International Education Strategy, which is expected to be announced later this year.