The Western Australia State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) continues to play a pivotal role in attracting skilled migrants to support the state’s growing industries. The August 2024 Invitation Round provided crucial data on the latest trends in skilled migration and highlighted how Western Australia is shaping its future workforce by inviting highly qualified individuals to critical occupations.
This article’ll explore the specific outcomes from the August 2024 invitation round, focusing on critical occupations, points thresholds, and the distribution of invitations across different sectors.
Invitation Round Overview: August 2024
The August 2024 invitation round saw invitations issued across various industries, reflecting the state’s need for skilled workers in healthcare, engineering, construction, and information technology sectors.
The invitation round included occupations listed on both the Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL) and the Graduate Occupation List, offering invitations through the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491).
Key highlights from the round:
- A balanced approach in issuing invitations to Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 applicants.
- Increased demand in sectors like healthcare, IT, and trade.
- A spread across metropolitan and regional occupations, emphasising WA’s focus on regional development.
Critical Occupations and Points Required
The August 2024 Invitation Round report provides detailed information about the points thresholds for various occupations. Below is a breakdown of critical sectors and the points required for invitations:
- Healthcare Occupations
- Registered Nurses (ANZSCO 2544): 70 points for Subclass 190, 65 points for Subclass 491.
- General Practitioners (ANZSCO 253111): 85 points for Subclass 190.
- Medical Laboratory Scientists (ANZSCO 234611): 75 points for Subclass 190 and 70 for Subclass 491.
Summary: Healthcare continues to be a crucial sector for Western Australia, with relatively low points requirements, particularly for Subclass 491 visas. This reflects the state’s ongoing need for skilled healthcare professionals.
- Engineering Occupations
- Civil Engineers (ANZSCO 233211): 75 points for Subclass 190, 65 points for Subclass 491.
- Mechanical Engineers (ANZSCO 233512): 75 points for Subclass 190, 70 points for Subclass 491.
- Electrical Engineers (ANZSCO 233311): 80 points for Subclass 190, 70 points for Subclass 491.
Summary: Engineering occupations remain competitive, but regional opportunities through Subclass 491 have lower point thresholds, offering a more accessible pathway for skilled professionals.
- Information Technology Occupations
- Software Engineers (ANZSCO 261313): 85 points for Subclass 190, 491.
- ICT Business Analysts (ANZSCO 261111): 85 points for Subclass 190, 491.
- Developer Programmers (ANZSCO 261312): 90+ points for Subclass 190, 491.
Summary: IT professionals remain in high demand, with points requirements often exceeding 85 points. This sector remains competitive, reflecting the tech-driven economic growth in WA.
- Construction and Trade Occupations
- Carpenters (ANZSCO 331212): 65 points for Subclass 190, 491.
- Electricians (ANZSCO 341111): 65 points for Subclass 190, 491.
- Plumbers (ANZSCO 334111): 65 points for Subclass 190, 491.
Summary: Trade occupations continue to see lower point thresholds than professional roles, offering skilled tradespeople a strong chance of state nomination, mainly through Subclass 491.
Regional Opportunities and Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) Visa
One of the key focuses of the Western Australia state nomination program is to encourage skilled migrants to live and work in regional areas. The Subclass 491 visa is designed to achieve this, and the August invitation round saw many invitations issued under this visa.
Occupations invited under the Subclass 491 visa often had lower point thresholds compared to Subclass 190, making it an attractive pathway for skilled migrants willing to relocate to regional WA. For example, Carpenters and Electricians required as few as 65 points to receive an invitation under Subclass 491.
Key Insights from the August Western Australia Invitation Round
- Diverse Occupations Invited: The round showcased various occupations, from healthcare and IT to trade and engineering roles.
- Lower Points for Regional Migration: Subclass 491 invitations typically had lower points thresholds than Subclass 190, reflecting the state’s emphasis on regional development.
- Healthcare and Trade in Demand: Healthcare professionals and skilled tradespeople, particularly in carpentry and plumbing, were among the top invited occupations with lower thresholds.
Conclusion
The August 2024 invitation round under the Western Australia State Nominated Migration Program reflects the state’s need for skilled professionals across various industries. The round demonstrated the ongoing opportunities for skilled migrants, mainly through the Subclass 491 visa, which provides a pathway to permanent residency for those willing to live and work in regional WA.
For more detailed insights, please refer to the August 2024 Invitation Round Summary on the official WA migration website.
If you are considering applying for state nomination in Western Australia, Contact Kris Ahn Lawyers and book a consultation with us to explore your eligibility and visa options. Our experienced immigration professionals can guide you through the process and help you achieve your migration goals.
Disclaimer: Not Legal Advice
The information provided in this blog post/article is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or create a representative-client relationship. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the content may not reflect the most current legal developments or specific circumstances.
Do not rely solely on the information presented here – but please book in a consultation with us to see how you this information applies to you and may benefit you. Any reliance on the material in this post is at your own risk.
Australian immigration law is arguably one of the most complex laws in Australia. Seek professional legal advice tailored to your individual needs before making any decisions based on the content of this post.
