WA Migration Update

Skilled Worker Initiative to Alleviate Labor Shortages in WA

The Cook and Albanese Labor Governments have reached an agreement to allocate 10,000 skilled migration spots for the 2024-25 period, aimed at boosting Western Australia's economy and residential construction sector.

The arrangement involves distributing these migration places between the State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) and a newly established WA Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA).

The deal restores the SNMP allocation to 5000 places, up from 2350 last year, to address critical skill shortages in sectors such as construction and healthcare. This program allows the State Government to prioritize and nominate skilled migrants based on local needs.

Additionally, the new WA DAMA will provide 5000 migration spots, split between metropolitan and regional employers, to help them attract and retain skilled workers in high-demand fields like construction, healthcare, tourism, hospitality, and agriculture. This DAMA will offer a broader range of occupations and a quicker path to permanent residency, complementing existing DAMAs in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields, and South West regions.

Premier Roger Cook emphasized that while local job creation is a priority, skilled migration is crucial for maintaining economic strength and expediting housing development. He expressed gratitude to the Albanese Government for recognizing WA's unique requirements and supporting the influx of in-demand workers.

Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk highlighted the importance of this agreement in addressing labor shortages and supporting the state's economy. She underscored that while training local workers remains essential, the additional migration spots are vital for meeting immediate needs and sustaining WA's economic growth.

This initiative reflects the state's ongoing commitment to balancing local job creation with the necessity of attracting skilled workers from abroad.