Western Australia has included offshore skilled migrants and international students in its 2022-23 state nomination program.
Skilled migrants living outside Australia can now apply for a state nomination from Western Australia. International students can also apply for permanent residency in Australia through Western Australia’s skilled migration pathway.
Offshore migrants and international students have been included in the state nomination program as part of Western Australia’s attempts to attract workers to meet the state’s workforce needs.
The Australian state recently updated its 2022-23 skilled migration program by expanding its Skilled Occupation List (SOL) to over 300 eligible occupations.
The changes will apply for two skilled visas to Australia: the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
The changes were introduced as part of Western Australia’s $195 million Reconnect Western Australia strategy, which has expanded the list of eligible occupations for skilled migration to attract a broader range of skills better aligned with present and future workforce needs.
In addition to offshore skilled migrants, the Australian state is also looking to attract international students to join its workforce.
Speaking on the inclusion of international students, Western Australia’s International Education Minister David Templeman said providing them with a skilled migration pathway was essential for attracting and retaining their skills once they completed their studies.
Sue Ellery, Western Australia’s Education and Training Minister, said a skilled workforce is a priority for the state’s economic growth, and the state government was committed to encouraging the return of international students to support the international education sector and skills gaps in key industries.
The state nominations will be available for applicants who have a nominated occupation listed on the Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL) or the Graduate Occupation List (GOL) for the subclasses 190 and 491 visas.
Eligible GOL occupations include STEM, business and healthcare fields, among others.
Applications will be processed according to a ranking system, with a preference for state nomination being given to those living in Western Australia, followed by offshore skilled migrants and international students.
