One vital industry that has a chronic shortage of skilled, experienced and caring workers is the Aged Care industry. As the Australian population ages, the need for aged care workers across a variety of specialisations has increased substantially. While occupations such as Registered Nurses can be sponsored under the standard employer sponsored visa programs, other occupations are not eligible including:

• Nursing Support Worker
• Personal Care Assistant
• Aged or Disabled Carer

However, ​​​​​​​​​​Australian aged care providers can now apply to access the new Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement. This Labour Agreement streamlines the recruitment of qualified direct care workers from overseas to work in the aged care sector.

What is the first step?

Before you apply to access the Labour Agreement, you must enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant unions/s. For more information about this process, you should contact the relevant union:

• Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation
• Health Services Union
• United Workers Union

What is the English language requirement?

For the temporary visa, the Temporary Skill Shortage (482) visa it is:

• For overseas workers employed by standard aged care providers: IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent) with minimum component scores of 5.0 for speaking and listening and 4.5 for reading and writing.
• For overseas workers employed by culturally and linguistically diverse aged care providers: IELTS 4.5 (or equivalent) with no component minimum, provided the overseas worker is fluent in the target community language.

For the permanent visa, the Employer Nomination Scheme (186) it is:

• IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) with no component minimum.

What are the qualification requirements?

To meet the requirements for a Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482), overseas workers must have at least a relevant Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate III or equivalent, or higher qualification, or have 12 months of relevant full time work experience, or equivalent part time experience.

To meet occupational requirements for an Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186), overseas workers must have at least a relevant AQF Certificate III, or equivalent qualification.

Is there a work experience requirement?

There are no minimum levels of post qualification work experience that needs to be met to satisfy visa criteria for a Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482), unless the individual is applying on the basis of having work experience in lieu of a formal qualification.

Remuneration requirements

The position must meet the following requirements:

• be on a full time basis
• meet the National Employment Standards if overtime hours are included in the contract for the overseas worker, and
• pay the overseas worker a minimum of $51,222 AUD (guaranteed annual earnings) or the Australian Market Salary Rate for the position, whichever is higher.

Is there an age limit?

There is no age limit for the Temporary Skill Shortage (482) visa.

The age limit for the Employer Nomination Scheme (186) is 45.

What are the next steps?

If you’re wanting to apply for an Australian visa and are in the Aged Care industry, contact our team of migration agents and immigration lawyers who can assist you.