Up to $10,000 in incentives available for qualified, skilled workers to move to WA.
There’s never been a better time to make the move to the sunny shores of Western Australia. Our vibrant construction sector needs qualified skilled workers to support industry demands.
Due to the high demand for skilled workers in construction jobs, the WA Government is offering support to suitably qualified building and construction professionals, to move to WA from other Australian states and territories and New Zealand, through the Build a Life in WA Incentive.
How does the Build a Life in WA Incentive work?
From January 2025, suitably qualified Australian citizens and residents from Australian states and territories outside of WA, as well as New Zealand citizens eligible for a Special Category Visa (Subclass 444) on arrival in Australia, are eligible to apply for the $10,000 Build a Life in WA Incentive.
Those moving to WA to take up jobs in an eligible occupation in the building and construction sector will be able to apply to claim the incentive.
- An initial $5,000 payment will be paid when a skilled worker has secured employment with a WA employer.
- A further $5,000 payment is available after completing six months employment in WA’s building and construction industry.
Skilled workers in the following building and construction occupations are eligible to apply for the Build a Life in WA Incentive.
Download a copy of the Build a Life in WA – Eligible Occupation list
ANZSCO Code | ANZSCO Name |
|---|---|
133111 | Construction project manager |
133112 | Project builder |
232111 | Architect |
232112 | Landscape architect |
232212 | Surveyor |
232611 | Urban and regional planner |
233211 | Civil engineer |
233213 | Quantity surveyor |
233214 | Structural engineer |
312111 | Architectural draftsperson |
312112 | Building associate |
312113 | Building inspector |
312114 | Construction estimator |
312115 | Plumbing inspector |
312116 | Surveying or spatial science technician |
312199 | Architectural, building and surveying technicians not elsewhere classified |
312211 | Civil engineering draftsperson |
312212 | Civil engineering technician |
312311 | Electrical Engineering Draftsperson |
312312 | Electrical Engineering Technician |
312911 | Maintenance planner |
312999 | Building and engineering technician |
331111 | Bricklayer |
331112 | Stonemason |
331211 | Carpenter and joiner |
331212 | Carpenter |
331213 | Joiner |
332111 | Floor finisher |
332211 | Painting trades worker |
333111 | Glazier |
333211 | Fibrous plasterer |
333212 | Solid plasterer |
333311 | Roof tiler |
333411 | Wall and floor tiler |
334116 | Plumber (general) |
334115 | Roof plumber |
334112 | Air conditioning and mechanical services plumber |
334113 | Drainer |
334114 | Gasfitter |
341111 | Electrician (general) |
341112 | Electrician (special class) |
341113 | Lift mechanic |
342111 | Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic |
342411 | Cabler (data and telecommunications) |
362213 | Landscape gardener |
394112 | Cabinetmaker |
399912 | Interior decorator |
399918 | Fire protection equipment technician |
511111 | Contract administrator |
712111 | Crane, hoist or lift operator |
721211 | Earthmoving plant operator (general) |
721212 | Backhoe operator |
721214 | Excavator operator |
721216 | Loader operator |
721915 | Road roller operator |
821211 | Concreter |
821712 | Scaffolder |
821713 | Steel fixer |
821912 | Driller's assistant |
Note: holders of Australian permanent residency visas - some occupations listed above may not meet permanent residency visa requirements. Please contact the immigration and citizenship section of the Commonwealth Government’s Department of Home Affairs for more information.
Licensed tradespeople are supported to work in WA through the Automatic Mutual Recognition of Occupational Registration (AMR) scheme. Those eligible for AMR will not be required to apply for recognition and pay for a second licence if they are already licensed to perform the same activities in their home state.
Find out more about the AMR scheme
Electrical workers and electrical contractors are not currently part of the AMR scheme in WA, however they can apply for mutual recognition through the WA Department of Environment, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS), and use their home state registration to get a WA licence. This requires completion of registration form and payment of application fee(s).
With a significant pipeline of Government-led as well as private sector construction and manufacturing work, there’s no better time for skilled workers to come and find work in WA.
Home to Australia’s sunniest capital city, Perth, with the whitest beaches and breathtaking natural beauty. You can find the perfect job opportunity and experience warm weather even in winter, as well as world-class surf, renowned craft beer, excellent local food and plenty of adventure on your doorstep.
The building and construction industry are seeking skilled workers to join the WA workforce.
Supporting skilled migrants into WA's workforce
Pictured: Dan O'Shea.
Through initiatives including free and low fee courses, the State Government continues to prioritise training and employment pathways for Western Australians. Some areas of Western Australia’s workforce still need more skilled workers, and overseas and interstate workers are essential for filling the jobs that can’t be filled locally.
Supporting primary visa holders to find and retain employment and the social and cultural integration of primary and secondary visa holders, is key for the successful settlement of skilled migrants.
The State Government's $4.25 million Skilled Migrant Job Connect Program is continuing to support newly arrived skilled migrants into Western Australia's workforce and community.
Launched in July 2023, the Skilled Migrant Job Connect Program includes a subsidy to assist WA-based skilled migrants to access financial support of up to $7,500 to offset the cost associated with undertaking skills assessments, gap training and meet occupational licensing requirements, to gain employment in occupations commensurate with their formal overseas qualifications, skills, and experience.
Dan O’Shea and his family accessed the subsidy and he now works in Western Australia’s priority defence industry as an electrician with BAE Systems. Check!
Dan credits the Skilled Migrant Job Connect Program as a positive factor in his settlement into life in WA and the local workforce.
“The process was quite involved to move to WA. I really liked the idea of the laid-back lifestyle, the beautiful coastline and I felt like it would be a very good place to raise my son,” said Dan.
“When we found out that there was funding available, it was huge. It was such a relief, it made completing the process a lot more achievable for us, a lot less stressful.” Dan says the work-life balance he has in Australia is great.
“To start early and finish early means I can do a school pick up,” he said. “Weekends are spent snorkelling at the beach or hiking, which has been great for my son because his PlayStation is collecting dust indoors, which is what any parent wants, I think."
“For anyone thinking about moving to WA for work, I would say go for it. There’s anticipation to begin with, like there was for us, but it’s been the best move that we could have made for me and my family.”