Sustaining WA's Construction Boom: The Role of Skilled Migrants

Western Australia (WA) is set to maintain its 'boom town' status with a recently unveiled budget, planning a record $42.4 billion investment in construction and infrastructure projects over the next four years. This high-reaching plan includes everything from greener, more efficient transport systems to the construction of 4,000 new social houses aimed at combating homelessness.

However, there's a significant challenge: the state needs around 26,000 more tradespeople to bring this vision to life. With apprenticeship completion rates dwindling and an aging workforce, WA is looking overseas to fill the gap.

Last year, WA allocated $85 million to boost its residential construction workforce, including an $11 million Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP) designed to attract skilled construction workers from abroad. The program offers grant payments of up to $10,000 to support skilled migration visa pathways, helping offset costs like migration agent fees, visa application fees, and relocation expenses.

The Story of James Joseph

James Joseph, an HVAC Technician, was ahead of the curve. Originally trained in Kerala, India, he worked in Saudi Arabia and New Zealand before moving to WA with his young family in 2005. James first considered the move after talking with his Australian colleagues during coffee breaks at his construction job in New Zealand.

"[They said] WA had good weather like Indian weather, good people, good opportunities, it's a good place to settle down in," he recalls. "It's also close to India, only maybe 11 or 12 hours flying to Bangalore or Mumbai."

Upon arriving in Perth, James got his skills formally recognized through a brief and "very easy" assessment with Trade Recognition Australia, landing a job at HVAC company ENVAR, where he still works today. He and his wife, an educator at Fiona Stanley Hospital, are just months away from paying off the mortgage on their riverside home. Their 21-year-old son is studying Environmental Science at university, while their 18-year-old daughter is on track to receive top ATAR marks in high school. ATAR stands for Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, a score prospective universities receive upon students completing their final exams. James owns investment properties in Kerala and visits annually to spend time with friends and family, but he is always happy to return home to WA.

A record 95,000 people moved to Western Australia last year, with the population expected to reach 3 million next year. With a $3.2 billion surplus and an economy bolstered by strong resources and services sectors, WA presents a stable employment option. The state's economy grew by 4.7% last year – the strongest of any Australian state or territory and twice the pace of national growth.

Tradespeople, or "tradies" as they are locally known, have ample job prospects with upcoming projects like Metronet, a comprehensive rail expansion project, and the Housing Construction Project, which will enhance the quality and accessibility of social housing by constructing 4,000 new homes. Tradies also benefit from perks like MyLeave, which offers long service leave eligibility for continuous time in the industry, even if they switch employers or are on a working visa.

Off the job, WA’s sun-drenched beaches, lush parklands, and laid-back lifestyle add to its allure, as James discovered. After working in the Middle East, where he earned a substantial salary but had limited leisure opportunities, he realized the value of work-life balance. "At that time, I realised that money is not everything," he says. "You want an enjoyable environment."

Now, James spends his free time enjoying the relaxed WA lifestyle, taking his rottweiler to the beach, fishing, or playing volleyball with a large community group. He also maintains strong ties with the local Indian community through Sunday church and social gatherings. "In India, we need good friends and family," James says. "Almost every week, we enjoy life with other families – going to dinner, cooking a barbeque, or something like that."

It's a "simple, simple life" – precisely what he was searching for.

"Somebody else can't create happiness for you, you have to create your own happiness," he says. "I've been to a lot of countries, but mostly I know that Australia is the best for me. I've found my happiness here, 100%."

Related Article: https://www.bbc.com/storyworks/messages-home-from-paradise/how-skilled-migrants-can-help-sustain-western-australias-booming-construction-industry?utm_source=SW-Nav&utm_medium=SW-Nav&utm_campaign=Messages-home-from-paradise&utm_content=Worker-Article03?

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