Australia's aged care sector faces critical workforce shortages. Sponsoring overseas workers is essential to maintaining quality care for elderly Australians.
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.
| Occupation | ANZSCO Code | Assessing Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Aged Care) | 254412 | ANMAC |
| Enrolled Nurse | 411411 | ANMAC |
| Nursing Support Worker | 423312 | ANMAC / TRA |
| Aged or Disabled Carer | 423111 | ANMAC / TRA |
| Diversional Therapist | 411311 | VETASSESS |
| Welfare Worker | 272613 | ACWA |
The Australian Government has introduced specific aged care industry labour agreements that allow sponsors to access occupations and concessions not available through the standard visa program. These agreements are designed to address the sector's unique workforce challenges, including lower salary thresholds for certain roles.
Registered Nurse (Aged Care) is on the Medium-term Strategic Skills List, providing up to four years and a pathway to permanent residency. This is the most common visa pathway for qualified aged care nurses.
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.
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.
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.
The TSMIT of $73,150 applies to standard employer-sponsored visa nominations. However, the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement provides concessions for certain occupations where market rates are traditionally below the TSMIT. The salary must still meet the relevant industrial award rate.
To access the concessions available under the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement, the employer must first apply to the Department of Home Affairs for a labour agreement. This is a separate process from the standard sponsorship approval and requires demonstrating specific aged care workforce needs.
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.
The Australian Government has recognised the critical need for overseas workers in aged care and has implemented specific labour agreements and processing priorities to support the sector. This makes aged care one of the more accessible sectors for employer sponsorship.
Our registered migration agent can help you navigate standard sponsorship and labour agreement pathways for aged care workers. Contact us to discuss your staffing needs.
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