The Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP) is a program offered by the State Government of Western Australia to support the construction industry by providing financial assistance to employers who are sponsoring skilled migrants.
It is designed to help construction companies in Western Australia access skilled overseas workers in the building and construction sector, which can be crucial for addressing labour shortages, expanding workforce, and growing businesses.
Key benefits for companies:
- Access to Skilled Workers: The program supports construction companies in sponsoring skilled overseas workers across a range of eligible occupations (see full list below).
- Financial Support: CVSP provides subsidies and incentives to eligible employers, making it more cost-effective to hire and retain skilled workers from overseas. These subsidies can significantly reduce labour costs.
- Flexible Visa Options: CVSP supports various visa subclasses, including 482, 494, and 186. This allows the company to choose the best fit for specific workforce needs.
Enhanced Growth Potential: Accessing skilled overseas workers through CVSP can open up new opportunities for companies to grow, take on larger projects, and improve competitiveness in the construction industry.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the CVSP, the company must be headquartered in Western Australia, engaged in building and construction work, and sponsor an employee in an eligible occupation, such as construction project manager, civil engineer, electrician, or carpenter.
Eligible occupations
| 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 (including building certifiers/building surveyors) |
| 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 |
| 334111 | 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 |
| 394111 | 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 that different occupations might be eligible for different visa subclasses.
Grant payments
The company can receive payments of up to $10,000, at three milestone points for each skilled migrant they sponsor:
- Milestone 1: $2,000
- Milestone 2: $4,000
- Milestone 3: $4,000
The important part: The company can enter the program even if it doesn’t have a skilled migrant they would like to sponsor. They can receive the first milestone payment and then look for the employee!