WA expands incentive programme to New Zealand's tradespeople, building and construction workers
The Western Australian government is offering eligible workers in New Zealand $10,000 to transfer and work for the state's building and construction sector.
The incentive is part of the state's expanded Build a Life in WA programme, which was initially designed to lure building and construction professionals and tradespeople across Australia to work in Western Australia.
"By offering a $10,000 payment to offset relocation costs, we're making it easier than ever for people from across Australia and New Zealand to take the leap and work in WA's building and construction industry," said Treasurer Rita Saffioti in a statement.
Who is eligible for the incentive?
Employees eligible for the incentive include Australian citizens and New Zealand citizens qualified for a Special Category visa (Subclass 444) on arrival in Australia. Applications for the incentive open in January 2025.
"Eligible workers will get $5,000 once they have evidence of employment in WA's building and construction industry, and a further $5,000 once they demonstrate six months of ongoing work in the industry," Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk said in a statement.
Eligible occupations under the programme include critical trades, such as:
- Bricklaying
- Cabinetmaking
- Carpentry
- Electrical
- Glazing
- Plumbing
- Tiling
According to McGurk, training local workers will always be the government's priority, but she noted that work in the building and construction industry is available right now.
"Our message to building and construction workers from across Australia and New Zealand thinking of moving west is to take the plunge – it'll be the best move they'll ever make with an ongoing pipeline of work for decades to come," the minister said.
