Western Australia suspends State Sponsorship Programme and RSMS Certifying Services until further notice after state elections!

By Sean Choong Updated

“LABOR’S TOP 35 PROMISES

Sell naming rights Perth Stadium and Perth Arena

Keep Western Power in public hands

Tear up the list of occupations that fast-tracks overseas workers to WA

….. “

- Perth Now, 12 March 2017 –

As a result of the change in government all state sponsorship/nomination and Regional Certifying Body advice applications for WA have been suspended until further notice. It now seems likely that WA may move to refuse further visa sponsorship applications, as announced during the election campaign in January earlier this year.

Below are screenshots of the Skilled Migration WA webpages for the State Nominated Migration Program and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.

WA State Sponsorship Suspension

WA RSMS Suspension

Sources:

1.       http://www.migration.wa.gov.au/services/skilled-migration-wa

2.       http://www.migration.wa.gov.au/services/regional-sponsored-migration-scheme

3.       https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/shorten-to-take-axe-to-skilled-migrant-intake-ng-b88358091z

4.       http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/wa-election-mark-mcgowans-labour-begins/news-story/05c8ee3a76ab3c30e1c95ab9eb3270d5

5.       http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/wa-election-2017-mark-mcgowan-says-wa-economy-is-top-priority/news-story/fbc5a657204e942981bd2992cd4c7900

Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers

The change in state government for WA has affected the state migration policies previously in placed. While it is certain that new applications will not be accepted until further notice, there has been no word about the applications in progress.

Visa applicants in the process of obtaining the necessary skills assessment and English test results hoping to apply for WA state sponsorship will now have to consider other state sponsorship or visa options. Seek professional advice from a registered migration agent if you need clarification on your options.

This policy change reinforces the need for applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible regardless if it is a skills assessment application, a state sponsorship application or visa application. You are subject to policy changes until you have submitted the relevant applications.

This information is accurate on 14 March 2017

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