In a significant move to address critical labour shortages and bolster the economy, the Cook and Albanese Labour Governments have jointly announced an agreement for 10,000 skilled migration places for the 2024-25 period.
The agreement expands Western Australia’s allocation under the State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) from last year’s 2,350 places to 5,000 places.
This program allows the State Government to prioritize skilled migration based on specific local needs and nominate eligible migrants who can fill these roles.
The SNMP is particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized businesses that struggle to meet the stringent requirements of the employer-sponsored visa programs.
The WA DAMA will allocate 5,000 migration places equally between metropolitan and regional employers.
This is designed to attract and retain skilled workers in sectors facing acute shortages, including building and construction, health and aged care, tourism and hospitality, and agriculture.
The WA DAMA will function alongside existing DAMAs in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields, and South West regions, facilitating a broader list of occupations and providing a faster pathway to permanent residency.
The collaboration between the state and federal governments marks a proactive step towards addressing the skilled labour shortages that have hindered economic progress in Western Australia.
By expanding the SNMP and introducing the WA DAMA, the government is setting the stage for a more robust and resilient workforce.
For businesses and migrants, this development offers new opportunities. For personalised advice or more information, please contact our office.
Source : https://crystalmigration.com.au/2024/07/09/wa-to-address-labour-shortages/
