Bridging the gap: Skilled migration and the building and construction workforce crisis in Western Australia

Western Australia’s construction boom is fuelling some of the toughest workforce shortages the State has seen.

With demand for skilled labour far surpassing local supply, skilled migration has become a vital lifeline for employers. To help bridge the gap, the WA Government has rolled out targeted programs and subsidies to attract and support overseas talent. The overview below highlights the key initiatives available to building and construction businesses looking to strengthen their workforce through skilled migration.

Key takeaways

• Western Australia’s building and construction boom has created significant shortages across both trade and professional roles.
• Skilled migration programs are now a central part of the State’s workforce strategy.
• Employers in the building and construction sector may be eligible for State government subsidies of up to $10,000 to help offset the cost of sponsoring skilled migrant workers.
• Migration law and compliance requirements remain complex.  Early planning and expert advice are critical.

Current workforce challenges in Western Australia’s Building and Construction sector

Western Australia (WA) is in the middle of one of its biggest construction surges in decades. Major housing initiatives, public transport projects, mining expansions, and new renewable energy infrastructure are all driving unprecedented demand for skilled labour.

However, employers across the State, from large construction firms to small subcontractors, are finding it increasingly difficult to source qualified workers.  Critical shortages exist across the board for building and construction related occupations.

While local training and apprenticeships incentives are ramping up, they simply can’t keep pace with the speed and scale of demand.

A range of factors continue to constrain the local workforce, including reduced apprenticeship numbers, project-driven demand cycles, the lingering impacts of the pandemic, and the outflow of skilled tradespeople into other industries such as mining and manufacturing.

Consequently, in this environment, skilled migration has become an essential part of the solution to help WA deliver the housing, infrastructure and projects the State urgently requires.

Migration as a strategic workforce solution

The WA Government recognises that skilled migration plays a crucial role in supporting the State’s economic growth.  Since 2023, it has introduced a number of targeted initiatives to assist the building and construction sector in addressing labour shortages.  Several of these programs are particularly relevant to employers seeking to engage overseas talent.

Below is a summary of WA’s current skilled migration initiatives designed to support businesses in the building and construction sector.

     1. Construction visa subsidy program

Initially introduced on 1 July 2023, the Construction Visa Subsidy program was extended for a third time in 2025.  This program provides financial support of up to $10,000.00 (paid over three milestones) to employers in the building and construction industry to help offset some of the costs associated with sponsoring skilled migrant workers – for example, application fees, training levy and professional fees.

Eligible sponsored visas under the program are as follows:

• Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa;
• Provisional Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Subclass 494) visa; and
• Employer Nominated Scheme (Subclass 186) visa.

To qualify for the subsidy, the employer must be undertaking commercial and/or residential building and construction work in WA in one of approximately 61 occupations on a specified list. These occupations span both trades and professional roles, including:

• Carpenters;
• Plumbers;
• Electricians;
• Concreters;
• Tilers;
• Welders;
• Engineers;
• Project managers;
• Inspectors;
• Drafters; and
• Technicians.

To date, the program has received more than $10.13 million in funding.  Of the 1,619 skilled migrants supported through the program, 849 have commenced work with 364 building and construction businesses throughout WA.¹

     2. Skilled migrant employment register

The Skilled Migrant Employment Register (Register) is a database aimed to connect skilled migrant workers with employers in WA.  Employers can list job vacancies on the Register to match with suitable qualified candidates.

Conversely, individual skilled migrant workers who would like to connect with potential employers in WA, can create a profile to showcase their skills and experience, in anticipation of an invitation to connect from potential employers.

The Register serves as a practical platform to connect skilled migrant workers with employers looking to build their workforce through skilled migration.

     3. State nomination program concessions

The WA State Nomination Program is associated with the State Nominated (Subclass 190) visa and the provisional Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa.  These visas are not sponsored by an employer.  Instead, they are points tested.  Amongst other things, candidates must receive an invitation from the State and Commonwealth government to be eligible to apply for either of these visas.

For the 2025 to 2026 program year, prioritised WA State government invites will apply to occupations in the WA building and construction industry sector including candidates with a building and construction trade occupation.  Additionally, reduced employment requirements will apply for candidates invited through a WA building and construction industry sector occupation.

The WA State Nomination Occupation Lists set out the relevant occupations included in the WA building and construction industry sector under this program.

Note that at the time of writing, the WA State government is waiting to receive allocations from the Commonwealth government for the 2025 to 2026 State Nomination Program.  Accordingly, the program has not yet officially re-opened for the 2025 to 2026 financial year.

      4. Subsidies for individual skilled migrant workers

In addition to the employer-focused measures, subsidies are also available to individual skilled migrant workers through the Construction Visa Subsidy Program.

Skilled migrant workers who are granted a visa under the WA State Nominated Program (ie either a Subclass 190 or a Subclass 491 visa) may be eligible for up to a $10,000.00 subsidy if they are located offshore, or up to a $5,000.00 subsidy it they are already based in WA.

The purpose of the grant is to attract skilled migrant workers to the building and construction industry to WA.  The payments can assist with relocation fees and offsetting the costs associated with an individual visa application.

The funding is divided into two milestone payments. The first milestone occurs when the skilled migrant worker commences work with an employer undertaking commercial and/or residential building and construction work in WA (in one of approximately 61 occupations on a specified list).  The second milestone occurs when they have worked for the employer for at least six months.

      5. Skilled migrant job connect subsidy program

This program provides financial assistance of up to $10,000.00 to skilled migrant workers who are in Australia.  It aims to encourage skilled migrant workers who are working outside their field to obtain employment in occupations that match their skills, experience, and qualifications. The subsidy is intended to assist in offsetting the costs associated with having their skills and qualifications recognised in Australia, any gap training required for licenced trades, applications for recognised prior learning registration and licencing requirements.

Lavan comments

For employers in the building and construction sector, understanding which visa programs align with their workforce needs and what WA State government support is available, is key to accessing the overseas talent they need.

With a well-planned migration strategy, businesses can fill immediate skills gaps, strengthen long-term workforce capacity, support the transfer of skills to local teams, and maintain project delivery schedules.

While skilled migration can offer real solutions to skill shortages, migration law is complex, and requirements can change quickly.  Employers seeking to employ and sponsor an overseas skilled worker must navigate a range of regulatory requirements such as:

• Labour Market Testing;
• Sponsorship and nomination application fees;
• Skilling Australians Fund levy;
• Visa processing timelines; and
• Ongoing compliance responsibilities.

To ensure a smooth application that meets all the requirements, careful consideration and planning is required at the outset.

Lavan has extensive experience assisting building and construction companies to secure appropriate work rights for skilled migrant workers and to access the relevant WA Government subsidies.

If your business requires advice on skilled migration, workforce planning, or related compliance matters, please contact our Migration team for tailored legal guidance.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this publication does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. You should seek legal advice in relation to any particular matter you may have before relying or acting on this information. The Lavan team are here to assist.

Footnotes

[1] Source: State Government building WA’s construction workforce with $37.5 million Budget investment