The Government of Western Australia has announced it will introduce a new Graduate Skilled Migration List for high-performing post-graduate students, which will make it easier for them to work and stay in WA after their studies.
The initiative is designed to give high achieving education graduates – PhD, Masters, Honours and other higher degree graduates – a pathway to skilled migration.
It is expected the changes will attract an increased number of high-quality international students to the State and help grow its share of the international education market.
The state's existing Skilled Migration Occupation List will not be affected, with the policy of not including occupations such as bricklayers, electricians and mechanics remaining in place.
The Western Australia Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the State Government's move to attract more international student. The Chamber says that WA's international student commencements declined 13 per cent in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the same period two years ago, and that this change will help numbers to grow once again.