Sponsor Aged Care Workers in Australia

The Aged Care Workforce Crisis

Australia's aged care sector is under enormous pressure. An ageing population, increasing care standards following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and chronic recruitment difficulties have created a workforce crisis. The sector needs tens of thousands of additional workers over the coming decade to meet demand.

Employer sponsorship is an important part of the solution, allowing aged care providers to bring in qualified nurses, personal carers, and facility managers from overseas to fill roles that cannot be staffed domestically.

Commonly Sponsored Aged Care Occupations

Visa Pathways for Aged Care Workers

482 Skills in Demand — Core Skills stream

Registered Nurse (Aged Care) is on the Core Skills Occupation List, so it can be nominated in the 482 Core Skills stream with a salary at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT). The visa runs for up to four years, and the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream opens after two years of full-time work for approved sponsors. This is the most common visa pathway for qualified aged care nurses.

482 Visa — Labour Agreement Stream

For personal care workers and nursing support roles that are not on the standard occupation lists, the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement provides a pathway through the 482 Labour Agreement stream. This allows employers to sponsor workers in occupations that would otherwise not be eligible.

494 Visa — Regional

Aged care facilities in regional areas can use the 494 visa to sponsor workers, with a five-year visa and a pathway to permanent residency. Many aged care facilities are located in regional areas where workforce shortages are most acute.

186 Visa — Direct Entry

Experienced registered nurses with a positive ANMAC assessment and at least three years of experience can be nominated for immediate permanent residency through the 186 Direct Entry stream.

Salary Requirements

Standard 482 Core Skills and 186 nominations must pay at least the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT, A$79,423 from 1 July 2026) and the annual market salary rate. The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement can provide salary concessions for certain occupations where market rates have traditionally sat below the threshold. The salary must still meet the relevant industrial award rate.

• Registered Nurse (Aged Care): at least the CSIT (A$79,423); market rates are commonly higher
• Enrolled Nurse: Subject to labour agreement concessions
• Personal Care Worker: Subject to labour agreement concessions

Salary ranges are indicative market figures, not visa thresholds. The CSIT is A$79,423 from 1 July 2026 and the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) is A$146,576; both are indexed each year, so confirm the current figures on the Department of Home Affairs website before nominating.

Skills Assessment for Aged Care Workers

Registered nurses require assessment through ANMAC, which evaluates nursing qualifications against Australian standards. ANMAC assessments for aged care nurses also require evidence of English language proficiency, typically at IELTS 7.0 in each band or equivalent.

For personal care workers and nursing support roles under a labour agreement, the skills assessment requirements may differ from the standard pathway. The specific requirements are outlined in the terms of the labour agreement.

Challenges in Aged Care Sponsorship

• Salary constraints: Aged care salaries have historically been below the income threshold, though recent award increases and labour agreement concessions have helped address this
• AHPRA registration: Nurses must obtain registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency before commencing employment
• English requirements: ANMAC's English requirements are higher than the standard visa threshold, which can be a barrier for otherwise qualified candidates
• Rural and remote locations: Many aged care facilities are in areas that are difficult to attract and retain workers, even with sponsorship
• Labour agreement complexity: Applying for and managing a labour agreement adds an additional layer of compliance and administration