The WA Government’s Build a Life in WA incentive, designed to help lure building and construction professionals and tradespeople from across Australia to WA, has been expanded, with skilled workers from New Zealand also encouraged to move west in 2025.
The $10,000 incentive will further bolster the state’s building and construction workforce and provide WA employers with the skilled workers they need to meet demand, particularly in the residential housing sector.
From January 2025, those moving to WA from across Australia and New Zealand to take up jobs in an eligible occupation in the building and construction sector, will be able to claim the incentive.
An initial $5000 payment will be paid when a skilled worker has secured employment with a WA employer, with a further $5000 payment available after completing six months employment in WA’s building and construction industry.
Suitably qualified Australian citizens and residents from all Australian states and territories, as well as New Zealand citizens eligible for a Special Category visa (Subclass 444) on arrival in Australia, are able to apply for the Build a Life in WA incentive.
Eligible building and construction occupations include critical trades such as bricklaying, cabinetmaking, carpentry, electrical, glazing, plumbing and tiling.
More information about the Build a Life in WA incentive is available at www.buildalife.wa.gov.au.
Treasurer Rita Saffioti said with a huge pipeline of building and construction projects, WA can offer suitably qualified workers a winning combination of secure, well-paid jobs – “and a fantastic lifestyle too”.
Training and Workforce Development Minister Simone McGurk said starting a new life in a new state – or a new country – doesn’t come cheap, and “we’re hoping this incentive will be a shot in the arm for tradies thinking of making the move to WA”.
“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.”