The programme offers financial incentives of up to 10,000 Australian dollars (over KSh 935,000) to encourage construction workers from other nations to relocate. What is Australia’s Visa Subsidy Programme? According to a statement on the country’s immigration website, the financial support is for employers to help skilled migration visa pathways for workers and help offset expenses such as migration agent fees, visa application fees, and relocation costs. The statement reads: “The State Government is investing in initiatives to ensure locals are training for jobs for the future, but there is a need to retain skilled migrants in WA and for interstate and overseas workers who have the skills needed by WA businesses today. “The new Construction Visa Subsidy Programme (CVSP) is supporting Western Australian construction businesses to fill the demand for a skilled workforce. “The program will provide grant payments of up to $10,000 to support skilled migration visa pathways for workers and help offset expenses such as migration agent fees, visa application fees and relocation costs.” How the payment will work The Australian government provided a breakdown of how the payment would be made to employers and selected migrants. Eligible employers will receive payments of up to $10,000 per skilled migrant at three milestone points: Milestone 1: $2,000, Milestone 2: $4,000, and Milestone 3: $4,000. Skilled migrants applying for their visa offshore can receive payments at two milestone points: Milestone 1: $5,000 and Milestone 2: $5,000 Also, skilled migrants already onshore when the CVSP begins can receive reduced payments to account for lower costs incurred: Milestone 1: $2,500 Milestone 2: $2,500 How to be eligible for Construction Visa Subsidy funds However, not everyone immigrating to Australia will get the funds. There are procedures to be eligible for the CVSP; independent skilled migrants must meet specific criteria: Be granted a visa through the WA State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) under visa subclasses 190 or 491. Be employed by a business headquartered in Western Australia, engaged in building and construction work. Work in eligible occupations as specified by the program. Here is the link to apply. Man Who Studied in Australia Starts Agency In related news, a Kenyan man who studied in Australia started an agency to help fellow Kenyans relocate. Anthony Wambugu told TUKO.co.ke that Australia offers a wide variety of programs for international students. His resolve was buoyed by the fact that he saw Kenyans in Australia and Sweden doing well in life, something he wanted to replicate on a large scale. BY TUKO NEWS