State Sponsorship and RSMS for Western Australia no longer available!
The state of Western Australia (WA) recently concluded its state elections with Labor winning the election and bringing a change to state government. The new premier-elect Mark McGowan now leads the largest state of Australia and has listed the changes he wishes to implement for the state of WA.
In various news articles there has been mention of the following:
“McGowan has also promised to tear up WA’s skilled migration list that allows employers to bring in workers on 457 temporary visas. It’s a key part of Labor’s union-backed push to create more local jobs in a state with the nation’s highest unemployment rate.”
- The Australian, 13 March 2017 –
“LABOR’S TOP 35 PROMISES
Sell naming rights Perth Stadium and Perth Arena
Keep Western Power in public hands
Tear up the list of occupations that fast-tracks overseas workers to WA
….. “
- Perth Now, 12 March 2017 –
As a result of the change in government all state sponsorship/nomination and Regional Certifying Body advice applications for WA have been suspended until further notice. It now seems likely that WA may move to refuse further visa sponsorship applications, as announced during the election campaign in January earlier this year.
Below are screenshots of the Skilled Migration WA webpages for the State Nominated Migration Program and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.
Sources:
1. http://www.migration.wa.gov.au/services/skilled-migration-wa
2. http://www.migration.wa.gov.au/services/regional-sponsored-migration-scheme
3. https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/shorten-to-take-axe-to-skilled-migrant-intake-ng-b88358091z
4. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/wa-election-mark-mcgowans-labour-begins/news-story/05c8ee3a76ab3c30e1c95ab9eb3270d5
5. http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/wa-election-2017-mark-mcgowan-says-wa-economy-is-top-priority/news-story/fbc5a657204e942981bd2992cd4c7900
Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers
The change in state government for WA has affected the state migration policies previously in placed. While it is certain that new applications will not be accepted until further notice, there has been no word about the applications in progress.
Visa applicants in the process of obtaining the necessary skills assessment and English test results hoping to apply for WA state sponsorship will now have to consider other state sponsorship or visa options. Seek professional advice from a registered migration agent if you need clarification on your options.
This policy change reinforces the need for applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible regardless if it is a skills assessment application, a state sponsorship application or visa application. You are subject to policy changes until you have submitted the relevant applications.
This information is accurate on 14 March 2017
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