Australian aged care providers can now apply to access the new Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement. The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement streamlines the recruitment of qualified direct care workers from overseas to work in the aged care sector. Employers can use this where appropriately qualified Australians are not available.

To access this labour agreement, employers must first enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the relevant industry union(s). At RACC, we can check with your employer to discuss and advice on this furthermore.

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The purpose of the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement

• Sponsor overseas workers for the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa in direct care occupations such as:

  • Nursing Support Worker

  • Personal Care Assistant

  • Aged or Disabled Carer
     

• Sponsor overseas workers for permanent residence under the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa program.

• Workers must have at least 2years of full time work experience in Australia in a relevant direct care occupation. The two years of work experience is not tied to a particular employer or visa subclass.

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How Aged Care Sponsorship Works in Australia

​Aged care sponsorship in Australia is commonly accessed through the Temporary Skill Shortage visa under the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement.

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This pathway allows approved aged care providers to sponsor overseas workers where suitably qualified Australian workers are not available.

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The process generally works as follows:

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Step 1 – Employer Approval

The aged care provider must enter into a Labour Agreement with the Australian Government. This includes meeting industry requirements and salary obligations.

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Step 2 – 482 Visa Sponsorship

Once approved, the employer can nominate eligible workers for a 482 visa in occupations such as:

• Personal Care Assistant

• Nursing Support Worker

• Aged or Disabled Carer

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Workers must meet qualification, English and employment requirements at the time of nomination.

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Step 3 – Permanent Residence After 2 Years

After completing at least 2 years of full-time work in Australia in a relevant direct care occupation, the employer may nominate the worker for permanent residence under the Employer Nomination Scheme visa.

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Importantly, the required 2 years of experience is not tied to a specific employer or visa subclass, provided the work is in an eligible occupation. This 482 to 186 transition is one of the most direct PR pathways currently available for aged care workers in Australia.

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Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement terms and concession

Access the following concessions to standard skilled visa requirements:

• 2 year pathway to permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme

• streamlined visa nomination and priority visa application processing

• no post qualification work experience requirement

• English language concessions for workers with relevant community language skills

• annual salary of at least $51,222 AUD or the Australian Market Salary Rate, whichever is higher.

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Key visa application requirements for Sponsorship

1. hold at least a relevant AQF Certificate III or equivalent degree OR,

2. have 12 months of relevant work experience or part time equivalence AND,

3. must be working as a PCA or an Aged care worker

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If you are willing to start a career in this industry, it will help you enrol for a Certificate III of Individual Support or Certificate IV in Ageing support course.

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Personal Care Assistant Sponsorship Under the 482 Visa

Many overseas applicants specifically ask whether a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) can be sponsored under the 482 visa.

The answer is yes — provided the employer has access to the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement.

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Eligibility Requirements for PCA Sponsorship

To qualify for sponsorship under the 482 visa, you must generally:

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• Hold a relevant AQF Certificate III or equivalent qualification, or

• Have at least 12 months of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)

• Meet English language requirements (usually IELTS 5.0 overall or equivalent)

• Be employed in a direct care role with an approved aged care provider

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In most cases, a skills assessment may be required if qualifications were obtained overseas.

Salary must meet the minimum threshold set under the Labour Agreement or the market salary rate, whichever is higher.

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Can You Change Employers?

If you hold a 482 visa under the Labour Agreement, you may change employers — however, the new employer must also be an approved Labour Agreement sponsor.

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PR Pathway After 482

After 2 years of full-time work in Australia in a relevant occupation, you may become eligible for nomination under the 186 visa, leading to permanent residence.

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This makes the 482 visa a structured pathway rather than a temporary dead-end visa.

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Study option:

​Starting from $7,500 per year (Certificate III in Individual support + Certificate IV in Ageing support).
Read more: https://www.racc.net.au/certificate-iii-in-individual-support-certificate-iv-in-ageing-support​

*Regarding study options, you can book a Free Phone/In-person/WhatsApp consultation with us via this link:

(At RACC, we do not charge any service fee for onshore student visa applications)