IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Following a two-week suspension of certifications for the Regional Skilled Migration Scheme (RSMS) and State Nominations for the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Regional (provisional) subclass 489 visas, Western Australia is now accepting new applications to certify positions for RSMS nominations. Authorities have also released a new interim Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL).

What does the change mean? Except for the Perth region, new applications to certify positions for RSMS nominations are now being accepted for Western Australia. The full review of the WASMOL is expected to be completed in May, after which a new consolidated list will be made available by the Western Australian State government. Meanwhile, new applications for Western Australian State Nomination will be subject to the interim WASMOL.

  • Implementation timeframe: Immediate.
  • Visas/permits affected: Regional Skilled Migration Scheme (subclass 187) visas, Skilled Nominated visas (subclass 190), Skilled Regional (Provisional) visas (subclass 489).
  • Who is affected: Employers intending to nominate foreign nationals for permanent positions for an RSMS Subclass 187 visa and foreign nationals seeking to obtain a nomination through the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa or the Skilled Regional (Provisional) (subclass 489) visa programmes.
  • Business impact: Applications submitted for regional certification before the programme was temporarily suspended on 13 March, including those in the Perth region, will continue to be processed. Similarly, applications for Western Australian state nomination submitted prior to 13 March, as well as state nominations issued to foreign nationals before 13 March will be processed and honoured.

Next steps: The interim skilled occupations list is available on the State Government’s website. Foreign nationals working in occupations identified on the interim WASMOL may be eligible to seek Western Australian state nomination for a subclass 190 or subclass 489 visa.

Background: Further to BAL’s client alert from earlier this month, Western Australia’s Department of Training and Workforce Development suspended the Regional Skilled Migration Scheme on 13 March pending review of the region’s skilled occupations list that identifies priority occupations in demand in Western Australia.

Regional certifying bodies are now accepting new applications for RSMS certification for positions in Gascoyne, Great Southern, Kimberley, Mid West, Peel, Pilbara, South West and Wheatbelt. Applications remain suspended for the Perth region at this time.

BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals should consult the interim WASMOL to determine if they are eligible to seek state nomination in Western Australia. Employers looking to nominate individuals for a subclass 187 visa for a position in Western Australia (other than the Perth region) will now be able to proceed with submitting applications for certification.

This alert has been provided by BAL Australia. For additional information, please contact australia@bal.com.

MARN: 0850984

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