What changed
The Construction Visa Subsidy Program started in 2023. In the 2026-27 State Budget the WA Government committed $11 million to extend it, together with the Build a Life in WA incentive, along with an extra 1,100 skilled migration places for the industry from 1 July 2026. The program terms were last updated on 1 July 2026 and no closing date has been published.
Under the employer sponsored stream, an employer that sponsors a worker on a subclass 482, 494 or 186 visa can claim up to $10,000 per worker in three milestones: $2,000 when it declares its intent to sponsor, $4,000 when the visa is granted, and $4,000 when the worker starts. The visa must have been lodged and granted on or after 1 July 2023. Eligible costs are recruitment, fees paid to a registered migration agent, visa application fees and relocation. A separate stream pays subsidies directly to skilled migrants on state nominated visas.
Who it affects
- Businesses with an ABN doing commercial or residential building and construction work in Western Australia.
- Employers sponsoring workers on the Skills in Demand (482), Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494) or Employer Nomination Scheme (186) visa into an eligible occupation.
- Labour hire companies and group training organisations acting as the direct employer, which are not eligible.
- State and Commonwealth government agencies, which are also excluded.
What to do
- Check the role against the program's eligible occupation list before you start recruiting.
- Confirm your business does building and construction work in WA and is not acting as a labour hire or group training employer.
- Keep evidence as you go: the sponsorship declaration, visa lodgement receipt, grant letter, signed employment contract and the worker's first payslip.
- Claim each milestone through the Migration WA claim forms as it is reached.
- Ask your accountant how the subsidy should be treated, as payments are GST exclusive and reported to the ATO.
- Check the Migration WA page before relying on the subsidy, as the Department can end the program if funding is re-prioritised.
How Accelerate handles it
Accelerate's migration team helps WA employers work out whether the subsidy fits their hiring plans and then handles the sponsorship itself, from Standard Business Sponsorship to 482, 494 or 186 visa applications. To see whether your roles qualify, talk to a workforce specialist.
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