Government of Western Australia - State Migration Centre

State Sponsorship Guidelines for Business Skills Visas

TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP (DIAC) INFORMATION ON STATE AND TERRITORY SPONSORED VISA REQUIREMENTS. DIAC IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF ALL VISA APPLICATIONS.

Western Australian State Sponsorship is available on all categories of provisional (temporary) and permanent business visas including Business Owner, Senior Executive, Investor and Business Talent. State Sponsorship is available in both metropolitan and regional areas of Western Australia .

The State Migration Centre is responsible for approving sponsorship applications on behalf of the Government of Western Australia.

From 1 July 2009 a fee will be charged for all Business sponsorship applications lodged with the Government of Western Australia. You must make your payment online prior to lodging your sponsorship application. Please ensure that you make a note of the reference number provided upon completion of payment and include it where indicated on your sponsorship application form.

Sponsorship Criteria

All applicants for Western Australian State Sponsorship are required to demonstrate they meet the DIAC criteria for the business visa they are applying for and submit a business or investment proposal addressing all requirements in these guidelines.

Provisional Visa
Applicants who relocate and operate a business in a regional area of Western Australia (based at least 50 km from the Perth central business district) need only meet the minimum DIAC criteria for a sponsored business visa.

All other applicants must meet the minimum DIAC criteria for a sponsored business visa plus at least one of the following requirements:

Western Australian State Sponsorship requirements are reviewed on a regular basis, and may be amended based on the current economic conditions.

Provisional and residence investor skills visa applicants need only meet the minimum criteria shown on this website, regardless if relocating to the metropolitan or a regional area of Western Australia.

Business or Investment Proposal

New applicants must demonstrate how their Western Australian business or investment will contribute to the State’s economy through:

Permanent Visa Applicants - Visa 892

Applicants seeking Western Australian State Sponsorship for the State Sponsored Business Owner 892 Visa must demonstrate at least two years of active trading in Western Australia, including evidence of sales. Business Activity Statements (BAS) must be provided as supporting documentation.

Provisional business visa holders seeking State Sponsorship for an 892 visa must have implemented their original business or investment proposal, or an amended business or investment proposal approved by the State Migration Centre.

Business Talent 132 Visa Applicants – Substantial Economic Contribution

Applicants Aged 55 Years and Over – Exceptional Economic Benefit

Applicants seeking Western Australian State Sponsorship for the Business Talent 132 Visa must demonstrate that they will make a substantial economic contribution to Western Australia. Similarly, provisional visa applicants aged 55 years and over must demonstrate that their proposed business or investment activities will be of exceptional economic benefit to Western Australia.

In assessing a substantial or exceptional economic contribution, the State Migration Centre will take into account the nature of the proposed business activity, the value of the capital investment and the extent to which it would impact on the Western Australian economy. Greater consideration will be given to applications that:

It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate to the State Migration Centre that the proposed business activity will make a substantial economic contribution or is of exceptional economic benefit to Western Australia.

If you are required to demonstrate a substantial economic contribution or an exceptional economic benefit to Western Australia , it is suggested that you firstly contact the State Migration Centre to discuss your proposed business or investment activity.

Conditions of State Sponsorship

As part of the assessment process, the State Migration Centre may require the applicant to attend for a personal interview or to have the business or investment proposal reviewed by an independent source.

A decision will be provided on State Sponsorship applications within 30 days of receipt of all relevant information and documentation unless otherwise notified. A Western Australian State Sponsorship Form will be issued to successful applicants for inclusion in their business visa application to DIAC.

Upon arrival in Western Australia , State Sponsored business migrants are required to notify the State Migration Centre of their residential and business address in Western Australia. In addition, State Sponsored business migrants must inform the State Migration Centre of any changes to their residential and business addresses.

Please note: Western Australian State Sponsorship is not transferable to other Australian States or Territories without the approval of the State Migration Centre.

If a State Sponsored provisional visa holder seeks permanent visa sponsorship from an alternative State or Territory Government, you must first obtain a release from your original sponsor. This release must be obtained prior to seeking State Sponsorship for a permanent business visa.

To apply for release, you must first complete a State/Territory Sponsorship Form 949 (Part B) and have it signed and stamped by your original State or Territory Government sponsor. You may then apply for sponsorship for a permanent business visa from an alternative State or Territory Government.

Further Information

Please contact the Western Australian State Migration Centre for further information about business migration to Western Australia.

In this Sections