Build a Life in WA

A man in a plaid shirt and tool belt holds a young girl in an orange top, with a construction project in progress behind them in a sunny outdoor setting.

Up to $10,000 in incentives available for qualified, skilled workers to move to WA. 

There’s never been a better time to make the move to the sunny shores of Western Australia. Our vibrant construction sector needs qualified skilled workers to support industry demands. 

Due to the high demand for skilled workers in construction jobs, the WA Government is offering support to suitably qualified building and construction professionals, to move to WA from other Australian states and territories and New Zealand, through the Build a Life in WA Incentive 

To find out if you are eligible for the Build a Life in WA Incentive, check out the program terms and conditions.

How does the Build a Life in WA Incentive work?

From January 2025, suitably qualified Australian citizens and residents from Australian states and territories outside of WA, as well as New Zealand citizens eligible for a Special Category Visa (Subclass 444) on arrival in Australia, are eligible to apply for the $10,000 Build a Life in WA Incentive

Those moving to WA to take up jobs in an eligible occupation in the building and construction sector will be able to apply to claim the incentive. 

  • An initial $5,000 payment will be paid when a skilled worker has secured employment with a WA employer. 
  • A further $5,000 payment is available after completing six months employment in WA’s building and construction industry. 

Submit a claim

If you require further information about the Build a Life in WA Incentive, you can contact us via email at buildalifeinwa@dtwd.wa.gov.au or by phone:

  • within WA - please contact us on 13 19 54 (select Option 2); OR
  • from outside of WA - please call 08 6551 5499 (select Option 2). New Zealand citizens should use the +61 country code.
Eligible occupations

Skilled workers in the following building and construction occupations are eligible to apply for the Build a Life in WA Incentive

Download a copy of the Build a Life in WA – Eligible Occupation list 

Eligible Occupations list

ANZSCO Code 

OSCA[1] Code

ANZSCO Name 

133111

131131

Construction project manager

133112

131331

Project builder

232111

241131

Architect

232112

241132

Landscape architect

232212

241234

Land Surveyor

232611

241331

Urban and regional planner

233211

243231

Civil engineer

233213

241932

Quantity surveyor

233214

243234

Structural engineer

312111

312132

Building designer 

312112

31132

Construction site supervisor 

312113

312231

Building inspector 

312114

312331

Construction estimator

312115

312233

Plumbing inspector

312116

311533

Geospatial technician

312199

241931

Building and Landscape Designers and Technicians nec.

312211

313131

Civil engineering draftsperson

312212

313132

Civil engineering technician

312311

313231

Electrical engineering draftsperson

312312

313232

Electrical engineering technician 

312911

313331

Maintenance planner

312999

312131

Architectural technician

331111

371131

Bricklayer

331112

371132

Stonemason

331211

372131

Carpenter and joiner

331212

372132

Carpenter

331213

372133

Joiner

332111

361131

Floor finisher

332211

361231

Painter

333111

362131

Glazier 

333211

362231

Plasterer (Wall and Ceiling) 

333212

362232

Renderer (Solid plasterer) 

333311

362331

Roof tiler

333411

362431

Wall and floor tiler

334111

363131

Plumber (general)

334115

363331

Roof plumber

334112

363933

Mechanical services plumber

334113

363931

Drainer

334114

363231

Gasfitter

341111

381231

Electrician (general)

341113

381234

Lift mechanic

342111

382131

Air conditioning and refrigeration technician

342411

382331

Cabler (data and telecommunications)

362213

342432

Landscape gardener 

394111

369131

Cabinetmaker

399912

391931

Interior decorator

399918

399933

Fire protection equipment technician

511111

511131

Contract administrator 

712111

732131

Crane, hoist or lift operator

721211

741231

Earthmoving plant operator (general)

721212

741232

Backhoe operator

721214

741234

Excavator operator

721216

741236

Loader operator

721915

741936

Road roller operator

821211

371231

Concreter

821712

821731

Scaffolder

821713

821732

Steel fixer

821912

821931

Driller's offsider

 

[1]Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) – replaces the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) as of 6 December 2024.

Note: holders of Australian permanent residency visas and New Zealand citizens (444 visa subclass) - some occupations listed above may not meet the requirements associated with your visa. Please contact the immigration and citizenship section of the Commonwealth Government’s Department of Home Affairs for more information.

Working in WA

Tradespeople and professionals who operate in regulated occupations moving to Western Australia from other Australian states or territories and New Zealand are supported through mutual recognition.

Mutual recognition is the principle that a person who is registered in one state or territory for an occupation is entitled to a registration in a second state for an equivalent occupation, after they have notified the second states local registration authority.

If you operate in an industry that is regulated in Western Australian, once you have arrived in WA and prior to commencing work, you must lodge a completed notice with the relevant WA registration authority, seeking registration for the equivalent occupation, pay the required fee, and provide evidence of your interstate or New Zealand registration.

Once you have lodged the notice, you are deemed registered and can commence work in your licensed occupation in WA, under the same terms as your interstate or New Zealand authorisation. You are subject to all local laws that apply to your occupation at all times while operating in WA.

For information about the building, painting, surveying, gas, electrical, plumbing, high risk work, land valuation, and building engineering industries, refer to the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s website

Alternatively, to locate the local registration authority for industries other than those above you can search for your occupation on the Small Business Development Corporation’s Business Licence Finder.

Build a Life in WA

With a significant pipeline of Government-led as well as private sector construction and manufacturing work, there’s no better time for skilled workers to come and find work in WA. 

Home to Australia’s sunniest capital city, Perth, with the whitest beaches and breathtaking natural beauty. You can find the perfect job opportunity and experience warm weather even in winter, as well as world-class surf, renowned craft beer, excellent local food and plenty of adventure on your doorstep. 

Find out how to Build a Life in WA 

Jobs in WA

The building and construction industry are seeking skilled workers to join the WA workforce. 

Find out more on the Build a Life in WA website