Western Australian State Migration Streams: What You Should Know
March 28, 2017
Country / Territory
Earlier this month Mark McGowan’s Labor Party came into power in Western Australia.Following our previous post on 14 March 2017, Skilled Migration WA has updated its policy settings on the Regional Skilled Migration Scheme (RSMS Subclass 187 visa) and State Nomination for General Skilled Migration (GSM Subclass 190 visa)Let’s take a look at what has changed:
RSMS Certification
Skilled Migration Western Australia has indicated that new RSMS certification application will be accepted for positions based in the following regions:
- Gascoyne;
- Great Southern;
- Kimberley;
- Mid West;
- Peel;
- Pilbara;
- South West; and
- Wheatbelt.
However, Skilled Migration WA will not accept applications for RSMS certification for positions in the Perth region.
Applications for RSMS certification submitted before 13 March 2017 will continue to be processed, including applications for positions located in the Perth region.
State Nomination
New applications for WA State Nomination in support of subclass 190 or subclass 489 visas are being accepted for occupations listed in the interim Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List (“WASMOL”). The interim list contains occupations which are of a specialist nature and have compelling evidence of a skill shortage in Western Australia. The list is essentially only allowing state nomination for certain health care professionals.
A full WASMOL will not be provided until the State Government has consulted with relevant industries. This process is expected to be completed by late May 2017.
Applications for WA State Nomination submitted before 13 March 2017 will continue to be processed according to the criteria that were in place at this time. WA State Nominations issued to migrants before 13 March 2017 will also be honoured.
What Does This mean?
If you are intending to lodge an application for RSMS certification through Skilled Migration in WA and your position is located in an area listed above, you can do so.
However, applications for RSMS certification through Skilled Migration in WA for positions located in the Perth region will not be accepted at this stage.
If you are yet to apply for RSMS certification, we recommend that you do not submit a subclass 187 visa application for positions located in the Perth region until we receive further feedback from Skilled Migration in WA.
If you have submitted an application for RSMS certification prior to 13 March 2017 you should receive a decision shortly, including applications for positions located in the Perth region.
You cannot seek WA State Nomination in support of a subclass 190 or subclass 489 visa application unless you will be nominated in an occupation listed on the interim WASMOL.
If you have submitted an application prior to 13 March 2017 for WA State Nomination, this will continue to be processed in accordance with the criteria that were in place at that time. If you have already been nominated by WA, this State Nomination will be honoured and you can submit your application.
Fragomen will continue to monitor the situation and will provide an update as soon as it is available.
