State Sponsorship Guidelines

TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP (DIAC) INFORMATION ON STATE AND TERRITORY SPONSORED SKILLED VISA REQUIREMENTS.

Western Australian Government State Sponsorship is available for the Skilled Sponsored permanent residency visa and for the Skilled Regional Sponsored temporary residency visa.

The State Migration Centre (SMC) at Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC), on behalf of the Western Australian Government, approves all applications for State Sponsorship for skilled visas. To apply for Western Australian Government State Sponsorship, go to www.migration.wa.gov.au and complete the online application form.

Sponsorship Criteria

All applicants for Western Australian Government State Sponsorship are required to demonstrate they meet the DIAC criteria for either the Skilled Sponsored or Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa and submit an application addressing all of the following requirements:

Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa – Temporary Residency

• Have an occupation on the State’s Skills in Demand (SDL) List; or
• have an occupation on the Australian Skills Occupation List (SOL) that is supported by a Regional Development Commission (RDC) on the basis there is a demand for the skills that cannot reasonably be filled locally.
• commit to living and working in a regional area of Western Australia
• bring sufficient funds into the State to cover settlement costs.

Regional areas in Western Australia represent the entire State except for the Perth metropolitan area.

Skilled Sponsored Visa – Permanent Residency

• Have an occupation on the State’s Priority Skills List (PSL)
• Commit to living and working in Western Australia
• Participate in a survey every 6 months for 2 years
• Bring sufficient funds into the State to cover settlement costs.

Conditions of State Sponsorship

As part of the evaluation process, the SMC encourages applicants to evaluate the area of Western Australia in which they plan to live and work.

The SMC will confirm state sponsorship directly to DIAC on the receipt of the signed State Sponsorship Agreement For the Skilled Sponsored Visa, DIAC’s case file number is needed on the State Sponsorship Agreement to confirm sponsorship.

All sponsored skilled migrants arriving in Western Australia from overseas, or from another Australian State or Territory, are required to notify the SMC of their residential and business address. In addition, sponsored skilled migrants must inform the SMC of any changes to their residential and business addresses.

A decision will be provided on State Sponsorship applications within 30 days of receipt of all relevant information and documentation unless otherwise notified.

Note: Western Australian Government Sponsorship is not transferable to other Australian States or Territories without the approval of the SMC.

You are required to seek the endorsement of the SMC before making any plans to relocate to any other State or Territory in Australia. You should also seek the endorsement of the State or Territory to which you are planning to relocate. In addition, you will need to seek the approval of the SMC before making any changes in the commitments made in your application.

Further Information

For everything you need to know about skilled migration to Western Australia contact the State Migration Centre at the SBDC on 131BIZ (131 249) within Australia or +618 9220 0222, visit the Centre at 553 Hay Street in Perth or go to the www.migration.wa.gov.au website.

To apply for State Sponsorship, go to www.migration.wa.gov.au and complete the relevant online application form.