Aged Care Labour Agreement: Addressing Skills Shortages in the Sector

The Australian government has introduced the Aged Care Labour Agreement to tackle skills shortages in the aged care sector. Announced on May 5th, 2023, the agreement offers additional incentives to employers to attract workers, including a faster two-year pathway to permanent residency. Ongoing collaboration between businesses and unions will also ensure transparency in the process.

Under the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement, Australian aged care providers can now apply to recruit qualified direct care workers from overseas when there is a shortage of appropriately qualified local workers. Employers must first establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the relevant industry union(s) to access this labour agreement.

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

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

The purpose of the agreement is to enable employers to sponsor overseas workers for the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa in direct care occupations such as Aged or Disabled Carer, Nursing Support Worker, and Personal Care Assistant. It also allows employers to sponsor workers for permanent residence under the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa program, provided they have at least two years of full-time work experience in Australia in a relevant direct care occupation.

To apply for the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement, aged care providers need to establish an MoU with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, Health Services Union, or United Workers Union. Once the MoU is in place, providers can submit the labour agreement request to the Department of Home Affairs.

The agreement offers several concessions, including streamlined visa nomination and priority processing, no post-qualification work experience requirement, English language concessions for workers with relevant community language skills, and a minimum annual salary requirement. The skill and qualification requirements may differ from the ANZSCO standards and will be specified in each Labour Agreement.

The Albanese Government aims to strengthen the aged care workforce by implementing this agreement, working alongside businesses and unions to increase recruitment and retention in the sector. The government recognizes the importance of growing the aged care workforce to improve care quality and ensure the safety and dignity of older Australians.

Employers who enter into an MoU with the relevant union will have access to the Aged Care Labour Agreement, offering incentives to attract workers and a faster pathway to permanent residency. Ongoing engagement between businesses and unions will foster transparency throughout the sector. Additionally, newly sponsored care workers will have the opportunity to connect with their union for support.

Employers can apply for the Aged Care Labour Agreement immediately, and the Department of Home Affairs will prioritize processing the associated visa applications. This agreement, along with investments in skills and training, aims to address workforce pressures and support the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Aged Care. To date, the only way to sponsor workers in aged/disable care was either via company specific labour agreement or under one of the geographical area agreement called a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA).

Contact us for further information and one of our registered migration agents  (www.konnecting.com) can advise option, or our recruitment team www.healthcarestaffing.com.au