Government of Western Australia - State Migration Centre

Skilled Migration

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

On 8 February 2010 the Department of Immigration and Citizenship announced several changes to the General Skilled Migration Program. These changes include the removal of the MODL, a new Skilled Occupation List, and the capping of GSM applications lodged before 1 September 2007. For further details please refer to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.

Due to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's (DIAC) decision to cap and cease GSM applications lodged before 1 September 2007, the State Migration Centre will no longer process sponsorship for these applications. Please refer to the DIAC website for further information.

Please note that from Friday 1 January 2010 a non refundable fee of A$200.00 will be charged for all skilled sponsorship applications lodged with the Government of Western Australia. Applications lodged prior to Thursday 24 September 2009 will not be required to pay a fee.
## Payments can only be made by either Visa or Mastercard at this time.

English Language Requirements

Accountants
From 24 July 2009 the SMC requires all Accountants* to achieve at least 7 in all four components of their IELTS test. This applies to all applications lodged after this date including Graduate Students and applications from citizens from the following countries: UK, USA, Ireland, Canada and New Zealand.
*ASCOs 2211-11 and 2212-11 (if applying as an Off-list nomination this also applies to ASCOs 2213-11 and 2212-13)

Trade Occupations now require 6 in all four components
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has announced that from 1 July 2009 ALL offshore skilled visa applicants, other than those who are citizens of the UK, USA, Ireland, Canada or New Zealand, must obtain a score of at least 6 in each component of the IELTS test. For more information please see http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/gsm-reforms.htm

When lodging a State sponsorship application, all applicants that are required to provide IELTS test results are now required to provide an eligible IELTS test result at time of application.

Work Experience

Recent work experience
From 24 July 2009 the SMC requires that all applicants who are required to demonstrate recent work experience must have worked for at least 12 months in the last 24 months in their nominated occupation.

State sponsorship is available for two skilled visa categories. The Government of Western Australia sponsors the Skilled Sponsored Visa and the Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa. These visas encourage people to live and work in areas where there is a shortage of skills by providing:

Prospective skilled migrants are encouraged to read Booklet 6: General Skilled Migration from the Australian Government's Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and conduct a self-assessment against the visa categories.

For more detailed information regarding the range of Federal migration programs, please visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.

Graduate Students
The Government of Western Australia is no longer sponsoring non WA Graduate Students - please see International Students for further details.

Non WA Graduate Students
This ONLY applies to non Western Australia Graduate Students who applied for State sponsorship between 1 December 2008 and 25 February 2009

The sponsorship offered by the Western Australian Government to graduate students will be valid for a period of three (3) months from date of issue. For sponsorship to be confirmed with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) via Form 1100, applicants must register in-person at the office of the State Migration Centre (SMC), Perth within this three month period. Sponsorship approval, when granted, will be valid for the duration of the processing period.

How to Register:

Registrations can only be made in person at the State Migration Centre

Where:   State Migration Centre
Small Business Development Corporation
553 Hay Street (Cnr Pier Street)
Perth Western Australia
(08) 9220 0279 or (08) 9220 0254
When:   Mondays between 2pm and 3pm
(Registrations cannot be made outside of these times)

At the time of registration graduates will be required to provide:

  • confirmation of a job offer in Western Australia in a skilled occupation;
  • SMC approval letter and agreement;
  • passport for validation of identity;
  • completed registration form; and
  • evidence of local address.

If you do not register in person, sponsorship will not be confirmed and DIAC will be unable to process your visa application


In this Sections

See Also

Skilled Visa Information Booklet

Information about migrating to Western Australia for skilled workers and their families.

Success Stories

First hand accounts from families and individuals who have successfully migrated to Western Australia.

International Events - Come See Us

Migration Agents Registration Authority

Migration Institute of Australia