Hon. Tjorn Sibma questions the Minister for Skills and TAFE regarding the performance of state-nominated skilled migrants employed in priority occupations, specifically addressing target shortfalls and improvement strategies. The Minister acknowledges the question and provides explanations for the underperformance.

AnsweredQoN 805Legislative Council
Asked
14 October 2025
Portfolio
Skills and TAFE

QuestionView source ↗

Skilled migrants—Priority occupations
805. Hon Tjorn Sibma to
the Leader of the House representing the
Minister for Skills and TAFE:
I refer to the
proportion of state-nominated skilled migrants employed in priority occupations
after arrival, one of the key performance indicators listed on page 28 of the
Department of Training and Workforce Development's Annual Report 2024–25 .
(1) What are the priority occupations the government
seeks these migrants for?
(2) Why did the government achieve only 69.2%
rather than the target of 82%?
(3) What is being done to improve this performance
metric?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Priority occupations are those available for
the State Nominated Migration Program on the Western Australian Skilled
Migration Occupation List and the Graduate Occupation List.
There is no list, but I will see
whether I can get the member a copy.
(2) The variance from the 2024–25 target
and the 2024–25 actual is due in part to a change in survey methodology
that allowed migrants to select from a more comprehensive list of occupations
and the temporary relaxation of WA's State Nominated Migration Program
settings.
(3) Nominated migrants are targeted for the state's
priority sectors of building and construction, health care and social
assistance, education and training, and hospitality and tourism. In 2024–25,
93% of skilled migrants nominated by WA were in these priority sectors.

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