Visas & Advice Detail
Q & A: Western Australia
Genelle Surace, a Senior Migration Officer with the Western Australian government, explains why the state is so popular with Brits
In recent years Western Australia has overtaken both Queensland and New South Wales when it comes to the number of British immigrants settling there each year. Why is this?
Strong trade and cultural links with the UK through the Western Australian European Office in London and the largest community of UK residents in Australia makes Britain the most important overall target market for Western Australia.
The state is currently experiencing unprecedented sustained economic growth. Driven largely by an expanding resource sector, this is creating many exciting opportunities across the state.
Added to this is an enviable lifestyle, excellent education and sporting facilities, and much more.
Perth's bustling central business district is seven kilometres from the coast, located on the banks of the Swan River and nestled beneath the city's 400-hectare botanical garden, Kings Park. With employment options in many industries, accompanied by affordable living costs, excellent amenities and a range of entertainment choices, Perth is a great place to live and work.
Are British immigrants being particularly targeted by the state government at present?
Yes. There is a dedicated senior migration officer now located in the Western Australia Government Office in London.
Having an experienced migration officer based there provides a contact point for people based in the UK and Europe to find out directly about opportunities in Western Australia and assistance with state sponsorship.
The migration officer can provide people with information and guidance on living, working and establishing a business in Western Australia.
Western Australia regularly has a presence at the Emigrate shows in the autumn and spring, and will be at Liverpool and Coventry this month. At these shows, the senior migration officer is able to offer on-the-spot state sponsorship assessments and pre-approvals.
What type of migrants are most needed in WA?
Currently, Western Australia has the lowest unemployment rate in the country of just 2.8 per cent, which reflects the demand for workers across all industry sectors. Demand for skilled labour in Western Australia is the highest in the nation.
Western Australia has a Priority Skills List (PSL) and a Skills in Demand List (SIDL) for sponsorship via the Skilled Sponsored and Skilled Regional visas. These lists reflect the skills which are in critical demand across the state and cover professional and trade positions, with over 100 occupations on each list.
There are AUS$21.6 billion worth of projects currently under construction in Western Australia and public and private investment in infrastructure in WA is estimated to reach AUS$650 billion over the next 20 years.
The state's services, technologies and specialist manufacturing sectors continue to grow, while the traditional strengths of its economy – mining, petroleum and agriculture – continue to lead exports with products in demand worldwide.
Western Australia needs an extra 400,000 workers over the next decade and, based on current trends, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia (CCIWA) projects a shortfall of 150,000 workers.
Aside from Perth, are other regions of WA also in need of migrants?
Western Australia is a big state and not everyone lives in Perth. The state has nine vast and varying non-metropolitan regions – Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, Mid West, Goldfields / Esperance, Wheatbelt, Peel, South West and Great Southern. Each offers a unique lifestyle, climate, business and employment opportunities.
Information and assistance on living, working or establishing a business in these areas is available from the Regional Development Commissions – www.dlgrd.wa.gov.au/RegionDev/RegionDevContacts/Commissions.asp.
Around 600,000 people live outside Perth in communities as far from the city as Kununurra, 2,300 kilometres north, to Esperance, 720 kilometres south-east.
Well developed transport and communications systems provide fast and economical links throughout the state. Each regional centre offers a complete range of services and a high quality of life.
What can be done to attract more newcomers away from the bright lights of the state capital?
There is the Skilled Regional visa, which allows people to relocate to regional areas with less points than what is required for a Skilled-Independent visa. Even for people who don't have an occupation on the Skills in Demand List, there is still an opportunity to migrate to Western Australia with the support of one of the nine Regional Development Commissions.
The migration officer in the Western Australia Government Office in London can offer pre-approval to applicants applying for state sponsorship to WA, which will allow their applications for state sponsorship to be priority processed through Perth.
The opportunities in regional Western Australia are vast and diverse, with strong opportunities for professionals and trades people in all sectors and industries.
How successful has Western Australia been in attracting migrants through its state sponsorship programmes?
Our Business and Skilled migration programmes have always been successful in attracting people to the state. WA is always looking for ways to streamline the state sponsorship process for applicants.
Recently, adjustments have been made to the business sponsorship application with the removal of the requirement to submit a business proposal with these applications.
Now all that is needed is a description of the proposed business activity. Our online system for skilled sponsorship applications also makes the system easier to navigate and lodges the application directly with Perth.
State sponsorship for skilled visas should be turned around in ten days.
Are these programmes something you see as being increasingly integral to the overall Australian immigration system?
Recent comments made by the Federal Minister for Immigration, Chris Evans, flagged the possibility to allow states and territories more control to sponsor workers needed by local industries.
This demonstrates that these programmes will play an increased role in the overall immigration system.
Why should a British immigrant consider a life in Western Australia?
Boasting thousands of kilometres of white sandy beaches, amazing scenery, endless blue skies and a modern yet relaxed lifestyle, Western Australia is a great place for work, business and to live.
With the strongest economy in Australia, an excellent range of business opportunities and one of the best lifestyles in the world, there is an exciting future in store for Western Australia.
For more information visit:
www.wago.co.uk
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