Aged Care Labour Agreement
Aged Care Labour Agreement Overview
The Aged Care Labour Agreement is an immigration visa pathway that allows employers in the aged care industry to hire overseas employees through a specific labour agreement.
This agreement is designed to address labour shortages in Australia’s aged care sector and is applicable to positions such as caregivers and nursing assistants. Eligible employers can apply to the Australian Department of Home Affairs for a labour agreement. Upon approval, employers can nominate qualified overseas workers for relevant visas, typically the 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa or the 186 Employer-Sponsored visa.
Employees must meet the required work experience and English language proficiency standards. Through this agreement, they can secure long-term employment in Australia and have the potential opportunity to apply for permanent residency.
Aged Care Labour Agreement Application Requirements
- Eligibility of Employer: The employer must be a registered aged care service provider or possess government-approved aged care qualifications.
- Labor Shortage Evidence: The employer must demonstrate that local workforce cannot meet the demand for the positions and provide evidence of labor shortages.
- Compliance with Employment Standards: The employer must adhere to all salary, working conditions, and Australian Fair Work standards.
- Work Experience: Typically, a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience is required.
- English Proficiency: Generally, applicants must have an IELTS score with an average of 5.0 (with no less than 4.5 in each band), or equivalent English proficiency test results.
- Qualifications: Applicants need qualifications related to aged care, and in some cases, must complete a vocational skills assessment in Australia.
- Health and Character Requirements: Applicants must meet Australia’s health and character requirements, including passing medical exams and providing a police clearance.
- Direct Entry Stream for 186 Visa: For the Direct Entry Stream of the 186 Employer-Sponsored visa, applicants are usually required to be under 45 years of age, although some applicants may qualify for age exemptions, especially for positions on the skills shortage list or under specific exemption conditions.
Advantages of Aged Care Labour Agreement
- No Work Experience Needed: Both domestic and international applicants can obtain the Aged Care C3 Certificate without any prior work experience.
- Quick Pathway to Residency: Graduate with the Aged Care C3 Certificate in just 3 months, then transition to a 482 visa through the Labour Agreement, and after 1.5 years of work, apply for a 186 permanent residency visa (those with 2 years of experience can directly apply for the 186 visa).
- High Salary: Annual salaries can reach up to AUD 125,000, with certain tax exemptions available.
- Low English Requirement: Only an IELTS score of 5.0 (or equivalent PTE score) is required, with a relatively low English proficiency requirement.
- Accommodation Provided in Some Areas: Some employers offer accommodation, reducing living costs.
- Public Holidays/Overtime Pay: Employees are entitled to public holiday and overtime benefits as mandated by law.
- Locations in Major Cities: Opportunities are primarily located in Sydney, Brisbane, and other state capitals across Australia.
Aged Care Labour Agreement Process
- Complete the Aged Care C3 certificate and meet the language requirements, pass the interview with certified aged care employers.
- After passing the interview, start working in aged care and prepare to submit the 482 employer-sponsored visa application.
- After receiving the 482 visa, work for 1.5 years and prepare to submit the 186 permanent residency visa application.