Perth, the capital city of Western Australia is quickly becoming a favorite destination for Filipino workers. This is because of the various opportunities for employment for skilled and professional foreign workers here. The manufacturing industry as well as the mining companies in Perth is growing. The region is also experiencing a major skills shortage making it a hot destination for skilled migrants. The city is also competitive in the areas of education, health and biotechnology, building and construction, information technology and engineering.

General Information:

Population: estimate of 1.5 million people (more than 30% are born overseas)

Climate: more hours of sunshine than any other capital city in Australia

Lifestyle: Sophisticated yet uncomplicated

How to Migrate

The Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) offers various ways for a foreigner to acquire a visa in Western Australia. One can apply either for a State/Territory sponsored visa, or through Federal visa programs.

Available visa scheme:

Skilled Independent Regional (SIR) Visa

State/Territory Nominated Independent (STNI) Visa

State/Territory Sponsored Business Visas

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) and Temporary 457

SIR and STNI Visas

For migrants to wok and live in Western Australia, they can apply for the SIR and STNI visas. Managed by the Western Australian Skilled Migration Centre (SMC), the two visas mentioned are designed to cope with the labor shortages in the region. 

STNI Visa:

Applicants for STNI visa must be 45 years old and below. English proficiency and practicing a profession included in the State’s Priority Skills List are the requirements for an applicant. This type of visa provides permanent residency.

SIR Visa:

Applicants for SRI visa must be 45 years old and below. English proficiency and has skills and work experiences that will be beneficial to the economy of the region are the requirements . This type of visa is valid for three years and may lead to permanent residency.

The applicants must be have knowledge, skills, and work experiences that are included in the Skills in Demand List of Western Australia.

Unlike the Priority Skills List required for assessing STNI applicants, the Skills in Demand List provides more opportunities for skilled workers in a broader range of occupations.

Regional Sponsored Migration:

The STNI and SIR type of visa are government-sponsored migration. However, an employer can also sponsor skilled migrants.

A company in Australia experiencing difficulty hiring staff from the local citizens and granted an approval to recruit foreign workers would be eligible to sponsor an applicant.

The sponsorship can either be a long term temporary or permanent basis.

This visa provides permanent residency for migrants in any of the regional areas of Western Australia.

The skilled visa classes are usually limited to professions with trade/diploma level qualifications and above. However, owing to the skill and labor shortages in regional WA, it is possible for regional employers to request a waiver on the skill level. Each of the Regional Development Commissions facilitates the Temporary 457 and RSMS schemes.

For more information about migration in Australia, please inquire at the Australian Embassy in the Philippines:

Chancery: H.E. Ruth Pearce

Address: 1st-5th Floors, Doña Salustiana Dee Ty Tower, 104 Paseo de Roxas
Makati City 1200

Postal Address: P.O. Box 1071 Makati Central Post Office, Makati City
Tel. No: 757-8100 (Switchboard)
Fax No: 757-8268 (Admin)
Website: http://www.australia.com.ph

Watch out for the next article that will list various job opportunities in Perth, West Australia