Sponsor Overseas Care and Support Workers

1. What is the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement?

The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement is a framework agreement between the Australian Government and the aged care and disability services sector that allows approved employers to sponsor overseas workers for specific care occupations.

Key features:

• Allows sponsorship of occupations not on standard skilled occupation lists
• Provides concessions on skill and English requirements
• Designed to address documented workforce shortages
• Available to approved aged care and NDIS service providers
• Requires union consultation and compliance with specific obligations

2. How long does the labour agreement application process take?

The labour agreement process involves multiple stages and can take several months:

• Labour Agreement Application: 3-6 months for Department assessment and approval
• Union Consultation: 2-4 weeks (must be completed before agreement approval)
• 482 Nomination: 1-3 months after agreement approved
• 482 Visa Application: 2-4 months for worker’s visa
• Total timeframe: 6-12 months from start to worker arrival

3. What are the costs involved in sponsoring overseas care workers?

Government charges: Labour agreement, sponsorship, nomination, SAF levy and worker visa charges depend on the approved pathway and can change. Confirm all amounts using the Home Affairs pricing estimator and current pricing table before lodgement.

Additional costs:

• Migration agent fees for labour agreement and sponsorship support
• Skills assessment for workers (if required)
• English testing for workers
• Health examinations and police checks
• Relocation and accommodation costs

4. Can I sponsor workers if I’m a small NDIS provider?

Yes! The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement is available to employers of all sizes, including:

• Small NDIS providers
• Sole traders with care businesses
• Medium-sized disability service providers
• Large aged care organisations
• Regional and remote service providers

Requirements are the same regardless of size:

• Be an approved aged care or NDIS service provider
• Demonstrate genuine workforce need
• Have capacity to meet sponsorship obligations
• Show evidence of recruitment attempts
• Meet employment and compliance standards

5. What employment conditions must I provide to sponsored workers?

Sponsored workers must be provided with employment conditions no less favourable than those provided to Australian workers in the same position.

This includes:

• Salary: Market salary rate (not less than Award rates or comparable Australian workers)
• Hours: Conditions specified in the nomination (full-time, part-time, or casual)
• Leave entitlements: Annual leave, sick leave, public holidays as per relevant Award
• Superannuation: Minimum superannuation guarantee contributions
• Work conditions: Safe working environment meeting Australian standards
• Terms of employment: Written employment contract specifying all conditions

Prohibition on charging workers:

• Cannot charge workers for sponsorship costs
• Cannot recover migration agent fees from workers
• Cannot charge for visa application costs (unless agreed separately)

6. What happens if the sponsored worker wants to change employers?

Workers on 482 visas are generally tied to their sponsoring employer. However, there are provisions for changing sponsors:

Changing employers (visa transfer):

• Worker can be sponsored by a different approved employer
• New employer must lodge a new nomination
• Worker lodges a new 482 visa application
• Can only be in the same occupation or related occupation
• Must meet all visa criteria again

If employment ends:

• Worker has 60 days to find a new sponsor or leave Australia
• Original employer must notify Department within 10 working days
• Worker cannot continue working without valid sponsorship