Care jobs in Australia can provide an employment pathway for foreign workers through approved aged care employers and the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement. This pathway is especially relevant to people looking for roles such as Personal Care Assistant, Nursing Support Worker, or Aged or Disabled Carer.
However, care work is not completely unskilled work. Applicants generally need a relevant care qualification or relevant work experience, along with English language ability and other visa requirements. The good news is that the aged care labour agreement provides concessions that can make some sponsored care roles more accessible than standard skilled migration pathways.
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What Care Jobs Can Foreign Workers Apply For?
The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement covers specific direct-care occupations. The main positions are:
| Care occupation | ANZSCO code | Main type of work |
|---|---|---|
| Aged or Disabled Carer | 423111 | Personal support, household help and companionship |
| Nursing Support Worker | 423312 | Support and direct care for patients |
| Personal Care Assistant | 423313 | Personal care and daily living support |
These occupations are classified as Skill Level 4 under the relevant ANZSCO system used by the labour agreement. Jobs and Skills Australia identifies Aged and Disabled Carers as one of the largest employing occupations in Australia’s Health Care and Social Assistance industry.
What Does a Care Worker Do?
Care work involves helping older people or people who need assistance with everyday activities. The exact duties depend on the position and employer.
Common duties can include:
- Helping with personal hygiene and dressing
- Supporting mobility and daily activities
- Preparing food
- Providing companionship and emotional support
- Helping with household tasks
- Shopping or running errands
- Supporting clients in residential or home-care settings
Jobs and Skills Australia lists these types of activities among the duties of Aged and Disabled Carers.
Applicants should understand that care work requires patience, responsibility and the ability to follow workplace instructions. It can also involve physical tasks and direct contact with clients.
Can People With Less Experience Apply?
The aged care sponsorship pathway is not designed for applicants with no relevant skills at all. But it can be suitable for people who have a lower level of formal education and practical experience in care work.
Under the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement, an overseas worker can meet the relevant qualification or experience requirement through a relevant Australian Qualifications Framework Certificate III or higher qualification, or through 12 months of relevant full-time work experience or equivalent part-time experience. Where an overseas qualification or experience is being relied upon, a positive skills assessment may be required from the relevant assessing authority.
This means applicants should not assume that a university degree is necessary for these care positions. A relevant vocational qualification or suitable practical experience may be enough for the occupation requirements, subject to the visa and labour agreement rules.
English Requirements for Sponsored Care Workers
English is an important part of the visa process. The aged care labour agreement provides specific English concessions for eligible occupations.
For eligible workers employed by a standard aged care provider, the agreement provides for a 5.0 IELTS overall score, with minimum scores of 5.0 in speaking and listening and 4.5 in reading and writing. Equivalent approved English tests may also be accepted.
There are separate concessions for eligible workers employed by culturally and linguistically diverse aged care providers. The exact requirements depend on the applicable labour agreement arrangements and the worker’s circumstances.
Applicants should always check the current Home Affairs requirements before booking an English test.
How Visa Sponsorship Works
Foreign workers cannot simply apply for a visa and ask any care facility to sponsor them. The employer must be able and willing to sponsor overseas workers under the applicable arrangements.
The general process is:
- Find an Australian aged care employer offering an eligible sponsored position.
- Check that the employer can sponsor workers under the relevant labour agreement.
- Confirm that your occupation matches an eligible occupation.
- Prepare your qualification, employment and English documents.
- Complete any required skills assessment.
- The employer completes the required sponsorship and nomination steps.
- Submit the appropriate visa application.
- Wait for the Department of Home Affairs to assess the application.
Australian labour agreements allow approved employers to sponsor overseas workers when there is a demonstrated workforce need and standard visa programs are not suitable. The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement is one of the industry-specific arrangements available for aged care.
Salary and Employment Conditions
Visa sponsorship does not mean an employer can pay a foreign worker below Australian workplace standards. Pay depends on the applicable award, classification, employment arrangement and duties.
The Fair Work Ombudsman states that aged care employees have minimum rates based on their award classification. The current Aged Care Award includes separate classifications for direct-care employees, including introductory and direct-carer levels.
For example, the Aged Care Award currently lists minimum weekly rates for direct-care classifications, while penalty rates, overtime and allowances can apply depending on the work performed.
Workers should check their employment contract and the applicable award rather than relying only on an advertised salary.
Where to Find Legitimate Sponsored Care Jobs
Foreign workers should focus on genuine Australian employers rather than agents promising guaranteed visas or jobs.
Before applying, check:
- The employer’s official website
- The exact job title and duties
- Whether sponsorship is actually offered
- The required qualification or experience
- English requirements
- Salary and employment conditions
- Whether the employer can nominate overseas workers
The Australian Department of Home Affairs explains that labour agreements are arrangements between the government and approved employers.
Do not pay someone simply because they promise a guaranteed sponsored job or guaranteed visa approval. A job offer does not by itself guarantee that a visa will be granted.
Who Should Consider These Jobs?
Care sponsorship may be worth researching if you:
- Have a Certificate III or higher relevant care qualification
- Have at least the required relevant care experience
- Are willing to work in aged care or personal support
- Can meet the applicable English requirement
- Can provide genuine employment and qualification documents
- Are prepared to work according to Australian workplace and care standards
People with no care qualification and no relevant experience should first look at legitimate training or entry-level care pathways rather than applying for sponsorship on the assumption that these are completely unskilled jobs.
How to Apply for Care Jobs in Australia
Start by searching for Personal Care Assistant, Nursing Support Worker, Aged Care Worker, and Aged or Disabled Carer vacancies. Read each advertisement carefully because not every care job offers visa sponsorship.
Use official employer career pages and reputable Australian job platforms. Confirm sponsorship before spending money on assessments, migration services or other application costs.
The most important point is simple: Australia does have an established sponsorship pathway for certain aged care occupations, but applicants still need to meet occupation, English, qualification or experience, employer nomination and visa requirements. Checking the official requirements before applying can help foreign workers avoid misleading job advertisements and unnecessary costs.