Aged Care Labour Agreement – Sponsor Overseas Direct Care Workers

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Secure Skilled Care Workers for Your Aged Care Facility

The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement (Aged Care LA) enables approved Australian aged care providers to sponsor qualified overseas direct care workers—addressing workforce shortages and raising the standard of care. This agreement streamlines the sponsorship process, with terms set by the Australian Government and non-negotiable.

Why Use the Aged Care Labour Agreement?

Solve critical workforce gaps: Sponsor direct care workers when local recruitment is impossible.
Streamlined approvals: Union MOU satisfies labour market testing and gives you direct access to sponsorship.
Clear PR pathway: Direct care workers can transition to permanent residency under transparent conditions.
High value: Attract experienced, skilled workers committed to quality care.

How the Aged Care Labour Agreement Works

1. Union MOU Required

To access the Aged Care Labour Agreement, your organisation must enter into and maintain a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with at least one of these industry unions:

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF)
Health Services Union (HSU)
United Workers Union (UWU)

This MOU is essential. It streamlines access and satisfies all labour market testing requirements.

2. Gather Required Documents

Collect proof of business registration, compliance history, union MOU, and candidate qualifications/skills assessment (if required).

3. Apply for the Aged Care Labour Agreement

Submit your application to the Department of Home Affairs, attaching the union MOU and all supporting documents.

4. Nominate and Sponsor Workers

Once the agreement is in place, nominate eligible overseas direct care workers for the Skills in Demand (482) or ENS (186) visa.

5. Ongoing Compliance and PR Pathway

Meet ongoing sponsorship obligations, support PR pathway for eligible workers, and maintain the union MOU as required.

Eligible Visas & Occupations

Sponsor overseas direct care workers for:

Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa

Approved direct care occupations:

Nursing Support Worker (ANZSCO 423312)
Personal Care Assistant (ANZSCO 423313)
Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111)

Skills, Qualifications & Experience

For 482 & 186 visas, the worker must have:

An AQF Certificate III (or higher) in a relevant care discipline, or equivalent overseas qualification
OR
At least 12 months’ full-time relevant work experience (or equivalent part-time)

If qualifications/experience are from overseas, a positive skills assessment is required from:

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (Nursing Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant)
Community Work Australia (Aged or Disabled Carer)

For 186 (ENS) visa:

At least two years’ relevant Australian work experience as a direct care worker.

English Language Requirements

For 482 (Skills in Demand) visa:

Standard providers: IELTS 5.0 (minimum 5.0 in speaking/listening, 4.5 in reading/writing), or equivalent
Culturally & linguistically diverse providers: IELTS 4.5 (or equivalent), with fluency in the target community language

For 186 (ENS) visa:

IELTS 5.5 (no component minimum), or equivalent

Salary & Employment Standards

Minimum salary: $51,222 AUD per annum (or the market salary rate, if higher)
Full-time employment required
National Employment Standards (NES) apply to all overtime and conditions

Age Requirements

482 visa: No age limit
186 visa: Under 45 years old at time of application

Labour Market Testing

The MOU with the union(s) replaces standard labour market testing—no need for additional advertising or recruitment evidence.

Application Process (Step-by-Step)

Confirm eligibility as an aged care provider
(must meet standards, compliance, and regulatory requirements)
Contact and enter into an MOU with a relevant union
Gather required documents:
- Union MOU
- Business details
- Worker qualifications and experience
- Skills assessment (if applicable)
Apply for the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement
(attach MOU and all supporting evidence)
Nominate and sponsor eligible overseas care workers for the relevant visa
Assist sponsored staff through skills assessment, English, and PR pathway

Need Help with the Aged Care Labour Agreement?

📞 Call us: 0485 907 989
📧 Email: jade@jadeimmigrationlawyers.com.au
📝 Submit an online enquiry or
📅 Book a consultation We assist clients across Australia and internationally.

Related Pages & Further Reading

Get Your Question Answered

Practice Areas

FAQ

Find answers to common questions about our Labour Agreement services and processes. If you need further assistance, please contact us.

Is a union MOU mandatory?

Yes. You cannot access the Aged Care Labour Agreement without a current MOU with at least one relevant industry union.

Which roles are eligible?

Nursing Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant, and Aged or Disabled Carer.

Is there a PR pathway?

Yes, both 482 and 186 visa streams allow a pathway to permanent residency (with 186 requiring 2 years’ relevant Australian experience).

Are overseas qualifications accepted?

Yes, but you must obtain a positive skills assessment from the appropriate Australian authority.

How do we get started?

Contact a union, establish the MOU, and reach out to our team for end-to-end application support.