The doors are now open for eligible applicants in Western Australia to apply for the 2023-24 Skilled Migration State Nomination program, with invitation rounds expected to start soon.
The Western Australian (WA) government has recently introduced several changes to its migration program with the aim of simplifying and expediting skilled migration.
As per the WA government, the State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) places a higher priority on skilled migrants who are currently residing in the state, as well as those coming from other states and overseas.
Karen Ho, the Director General of the Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD), emphasized that the WA government remains adaptable to the requirements of priority sectors and local businesses. They are committed to collaborating to build a skilled workforce that can meet the demands of the state’s robust economy and job market, as she expressed to SBS Hindi.
“While the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs holds the responsibility for Australia’s migration program, including the processing and approval of visa applications, the SNMP allows the state government to focus on its specific priorities for skilled migration while adhering to the guidelines established by the Commonwealth Government,” she explained.
Through the SNMP, states and territories have the authority to nominate eligible skilled migrants for two types of visas: the Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190), which is a permanent visa, and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491), which is a temporary visa that can potentially lead to permanent residency if certain criteria are met.