Can I sponsor a youth worker, community worker or support worker in Australia?

Where the line is drawn

The qualification is the Diploma of Community Services (CHC52021), the Diploma of Youth Work (CHC50421) or a relevant degree, and ACWA assesses on that plus relevant experience; a Certificate III or IV in Individual Support or Disability does not reach the skill level. A support worker who has completed the diploma and moved into a case role can be nominated under the new role, from the job: sponsoring an existing employee. The full list: community services occupations you can sponsor.

The routes for support workers

Approved aged care providers use the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement, which covers personal care assistants and carers with concessions on English and salary; how to hire aged care workers. NDIS and community providers have no equivalent agreement, and their routes are a regional DAMA that lists the role (the Kimberley list carries Aged or Disabled Carer, Nursing Support Worker and Disabilities Services Officer) and the onshore pool, for whom disability work is exempt from the working holiday six-month limit. WIDEN’s NDIS sponsorship guide covers the provider-side options in detail.

The steps and costs

1. Labour market testing: two advertisements of at least 28 days on national-reach platforms within four months of nomination, unless a trade-agreement exemption applies: labour market testing.
2. Salary of at least A$79,423 or the market rate, which for a diploma-level community role under the SCHADS award usually means a level 4 or 5 position; a level 2 or 3 support role paid at the threshold draws a genuineness query.
3. Sponsorship (A$420), nomination (A$330 plus the SAF levy of A$1,200 per visa year under A$10m turnover; not-for-profits pay it too), visa (A$4,015 for the 482; A$6,140 for the 186 or 494). ACWA assessment for the 186 Direct Entry. Working with Children and NDIS worker screening checks before starting.

Full costs: cost to sponsor a worker. Timeline: how long sponsorship takes.

The DAMA route

Designated Area Migration Agreements are the exception to the lists. Regional agreements carry occupations the national lists omit; the Kimberley list (October 2025 version), for example, includes forklift drivers, truck drivers, retail and hospitality roles, and other regional agreements carry some of the same. The business must be in the region, endorsed by the regional body, and the worker must meet the agreement’s concessions on English, salary and age. Which agreement covers your area: sponsor workers in your state; how DAMAs compare with the other routes: PALM, labour agreement or DAMA.

Who can work for you now

The role does not have to wait for a visa. Three groups can work for you today without sponsorship, and community services already run on them:

• Working holiday makers (417 and 462): any role, six months per employer; register with the ATO for the 15 per cent rate and pay super. Employing working holiday makers.
• International students: 48 hours a fortnight in term, unlimited in breaks. Employing international students.
• Partner, graduate (485) and bridging visa holders: full work rights, a VEVO check and nothing else. Who can work for you now.

SponsorTalent lists candidates by occupation, visa and city, so you can see who can start on Monday before you make contact; search is free and a contact unlocks for A$30.

Do not nominate the role under an occupation it is not. A disability support worker nominated as a Community Worker or a residential youth carer without the diploma as a Residential Care Officer is tested against the duties, the qualification, the award classification and the pay, and a mismatch is refused, can bar the business from sponsoring for years, and exposes the worker to cancellation. If the person genuinely does the listed job and holds its qualification, nominate that job at its rate; if not, use the routes above.

Frequently asked questions

Is youth worker on the skilled occupation list? Yes. Youth Worker 411716 is on the Core Skills list, so the 482 and 186 are available, with the 494 regionally, assessed by ACWA on a Diploma of Youth Work, Community Services or equivalent.

Can I sponsor a disability support worker? Not on the standard visas, and NDIS providers have no labour agreement. Approved aged care providers can use the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement; regional DAMAs that list carers are the other route.

What qualification does a sponsored community worker need? A Diploma of Community Services, Youth Work or a relevant degree, with ACWA assessing qualification and experience for the 186. A Certificate III or IV in Individual Support does not reach the skill level.

What must I pay a sponsored youth or community worker? At least A$79,423 a year or the market rate for the role, whichever is higher, on the same terms as an Australian in the job.