The Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD) announced yesterday that it is extending its graduate migration pathway under its State Nomination Migration Program to include WA vocational education and training (VET) graduates!

The program that commenced last year originally only targeted university graduates. But now VET graduates who complete a qualification in Western Australia at Certificate III level or above, or an approved trade qualification for international students can access state sponsorship and be eligible for the subclass 190 (Permanent) Skilled Nominated visa.

In the same announcement DTWD also announced that:

• studies in higher education, VET and/or English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) will all count towards the requirement to study for two years in Western Australia; and
• work experience and job offer requirements will also be reduced. Graduates will need to either demonstrate six months of work experience or a six month employment contract, but not both. Currently, international students need to have 12 months of work experience plus a job offer for 12 months.

Perth to become regional again?

DTWD also announced that it is working with the Federal Government at possibly changing the definition of regional Australia to include Perth again. Further information will be provided on this issue when it becomes available but if it happens, will likely mean the Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa will open up again for Perth

But what occupations might be on the Graduate Occupation List for VET students?

The updated list will be release before the December 2019 invitation round so we should know exactly who will be eligible for state nomination in the next few weeks. But for those who are impatient and like to speculate, below is a list of occupations that was put forward :

It will be interesting to see what is on the final list when it is released in the next few weeks.

Source: Department of Training and Workforce Development Consultation Paper – Proposal to expand the skilled migration Graduate Stream to include the vocational education and training sector

West Aussie Migration is an expert with WA state nomination applications, skilled visa applications and skills assessments. For further information about the Western Australian State Nomination process and the visa criteria for subclass 190 Skilled – Nominated visas contact us today. We are confident we can help you with these applications and can help you get the result you want. Contact West Aussie Migration today if you have any questions, through our website’s contact form or our Facebook page.

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