The Western Australian government and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) of Western Australia have joined forces to lure eastern states-based fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers to relocate to the state.
Premier Mark McGowan on Tuesday said that between 5 000 to 6 000 FIFO workers currently reside in the eastern states but fly to Western Australia to undertake work on mining and oil and gas sites in the state.
Due to strict border restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic, a number of these workers have temporarily relocated to Western Australia to continue working in the state, with McGowan saying on Tuesday that the government and the CME were now offering incentives to these workers to relocate on a permanent basis, and to support the economic recovery of Western Australia post the pandemic.
Eastern states-based workers will be able to access the government’s A$20 000 Building Bonus grant, which is available to any homebuyer who wishes to build a new house in Western Australia.