The urgent need for care assistants in Australia
Australia faces a significant and increasing demand for care assistants and other aged care professionals. Projections show a substantial rise in the population over 85 by 2058, increasing pressure on healthcare. The healthcare and social assistance sector is a major employer, but still needs thousands of skilled workers.
To help address this shortage, the Australian government introduced the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement. This agreement simplifies the process for approved aged care providers to sponsor overseas workers for roles where local workers are not available. This provides a direct pathway to permanent residency with concessions on standard visa requirements.
Main visa pathways for international care assistants
International care assistants can primarily immigrate through employer sponsorship under the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement. This allows eligibility for specific visa subclasses.
Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) - Labour Agreement Stream
This temporary work visa lets eligible Australian employers sponsor overseas workers for up to four years. It covers direct care roles like Nursing Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant, and Aged or Disabled Carer. A key advantage under the Aged Care Labour Agreement is the removal of the post-qualification work experience requirement. After two years on this visa, care assistants may be able to apply for a permanent residency visa.
Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Subclass 186) - Labour Agreement Stream
This visa offers a pathway to permanent residency, although it is often pursued after gaining experience on a temporary visa. The Aged Care Labour Agreement allows employers to nominate applicants for the permanent 186 visa if they have worked in a relevant direct care occupation in Australia for two years. This two-year work experience can be on any visa and does not need to be with the sponsoring employer.
Important distinction: The Carer Visa (Subclass 116/836)
It is important to note that the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement is different from the family-sponsored Carer Visa (Subclass 116/836). The Carer Visa is for individuals providing care to an Australian relative with a serious medical condition and is not a general employment visa pathway.
Eligibility requirements for care assistants
To be eligible for an employer-sponsored visa under the Aged Care Labour Agreement, international care assistants must meet certain criteria.
Qualification and skills assessment
Applicants need an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate III (like Certificate III in Individual Support) or an equivalent overseas qualification. Alternatively, 12 months of relevant full-time (or part-time equivalent) work experience can substitute for a qualification. If you have an overseas qualification or are relying on work experience, you must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant authority. The assessing bodies are ANMAC for Nursing Support Workers and Personal Care Assistants, and CWA for Aged or Disabled Carers.
English language proficiency
The English language requirements are less stringent under the Aged Care Labour Agreement compared to standard skilled visas.
- For the Subclass 482 visa: An overall IELTS score of at least 5.0 (or equivalent) with no component below 4.5. Concessions may apply for speakers of relevant community languages.
- For the Subclass 186 visa: An overall IELTS score of at least 5.5 (or equivalent) with no minimum score for individual components.
Salary and age concessions
Employer-sponsored visas under this agreement require a minimum annual salary of $51,222 AUD or the Australian market salary rate, whichever is higher. The Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa has no age limit, while the age limit of 45 for the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa is also waived under the labour agreement.
Visa types for care assistants: A comparison
| Feature | Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) | Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsorship | Required from an approved aged care employer. | Required from an approved aged care employer. |
| Pathway to PR | Yes, after 2 years of work in Australia under the agreement. | Direct pathway to permanent residency. |
| Work Experience | No post-qualification work experience required. | 2 years of work in a relevant direct care occupation in Australia required. |
| English Requirements | IELTS 5.0 overall, no band below 4.5 (or equivalent). | IELTS 5.5 overall, no band minimum (or equivalent). |
| Age Limit | No age limit under the labour agreement. | No age limit under the labour agreement. |
| Who is it for? | Those seeking an entry-level position with a path to permanence. | Those already working in Australia under the agreement or other eligible circumstances. |
What to consider before applying
- Find a sponsoring employer: You must secure a job offer from an aged care provider that has access to the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement.
- Skills assessment timing: A positive skills assessment is necessary for overseas qualified applicants or those using work experience. Complete this early in the process.
- Start gathering documents: Prepare necessary documents such as your passport, qualifications, work experience letters, English test results, and character checks.
- Financial preparation: Understand the costs, including visa fees and skills assessment charges. An Assurance of Support may be needed for the permanent visa.
Conclusion: A promising path for care assistants
Given Australia's high demand for care professionals and the supportive Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement, moving to Australia as a care assistant is a strong possibility. The system aims to fill workforce gaps and offers a viable pathway from temporary work to permanent residency for qualified individuals. By finding employer sponsorship and preparing your qualifications and documents, you can navigate the process successfully and build a career in Australia's healthcare sector. Remember to check the official Department of Home Affairs website for the latest updates.
