Aged care labour agreement Australia is the most effective solution to the crucial skills shortage that the Australian aged care sector is currently facing. If you are a skilled care worker or an aged care worker looking for recruitment, the ACLA can be a pivotal and effective pathway. This arrangement helps approved and certified providers sponsor overseas workers using the Subclass 482 visa, offering major advantages and a clear, fast-tracked path to permanent residence (PR).
If you are a skilled care worker, the Aged Care Labour Agreement Australia offers a fast-tracked, concessional route to Australian Permanent Residency (PR) provided by the Australian government that is often more accessible than the traditional points-based system
Are you ready to secure your aged care sponsorship? This guide by BJay Education and Visa Services will help you understand how the ACLA Australia serves as a viable pathway for you in 2025.
What is the Aged Care Labour Agreement?
The aged care labour agreement is developed by the Australian government to address the urgent workforce shortages in the aged care sector. It provides aged care facilities with a simpler means to hire qualified overseas workers, avoiding some complexities of standard skilled migration. Unlike standard visas, the ACLA offers specific concessions on age, English proficiency, and salary, making it a “gold pass” for dedicated care professionals.
This program allows sponsorship under the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Subclass 482 visa. ACLA is different from other general labour agreements as the ACLA requires providers to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with relevant unions such as the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), Health Services Union (HSU), or the United Workers Union (UWU), making sure that genuine local recruitment efforts is met.
Eligible Roles Under the Aged Care Labour Agreement
If you want to qualify for the sponsorship under the Aged Care Labour Agreement Australia, your job title and daily tasks must perfectly align with one of these given specific occupations. Precision in your ANZSCO code selection is critical for a positive aged care skills assessment (ACWA) as it can break or make the application a success or a failure.
| Role | ANZSCO Code |
|---|---|
|
Aged or Disabled Carer |
423111 |
|
Nursing Support Worker |
423312 |
|
Personal Care Assistant |
423313 |
Source: ANZSCO codes as per aged care industry labour agreement role definitions.
Worker Requirements Under the Aged Care Labour Agreement
If you want to secure a sponsorship visa for Aged Care Workers in Australia, it requires meeting specific educational or experience benchmarks. In 2026, the Department of Home Affairs and assessing bodies have streamlined these requirements for you to qualify to become a eligible individual.
Do I need a Certificate III to apply?
If you want to apply for the Aged care Labour Agreement, you must demonstrate either one of the following criteria:
- Relevant Qualification: An AQF Certificate III or higher qualification relevant to aged care
- Work Experience: At least 12 months of relevant full-time work experience.
If your experience or qualifications are from overseas, a positive ACWA skills assessment is necessary for the designated role.
English Language Requirements:
| Visa Type | Standard (IELTS) | Culturally Diverse Providers (CALD) |
|---|---|---|
|
482 |
5.0 overall (min 4.5 per band) |
4.5 overall |
|
186 PR |
5.5 overall |
5.5 overall |
Source: IELTS Australia and ACLA guidelines.
Aged Care Skills Assessment
If your qualifications were obtained outside of Australia, a mandatory aged care skills assessment (ACWA) or ANMAC assessment is required.
- For Carers: Community Work Australia (ACWA/CWA) assesses the “Aged or Disabled Care” role.
- For Nursing Support: ANMAC typically handles the “Nursing Support Worker” stream.
- 2026 Update: Ensure your evidence portfolio includes a 120-hour practical placement if using a non-Australian qualification.
Top Providers on the Aged Care Labour Agreement 2025
Although the government does not publish a complete list of providers under the aged care labour agreement, major providers known to have signed the necessary union MoUs include:
- Estia Health: Known for extensive sponsorship programs in NSW, VIC, and QLD.
- Opal Healthcare: One of Australia’s largest providers with facilities nationwide.
- Aegis Aged Care: A major player in Western Australia.
- Lutheran Services: Frequently sponsor workers in regional and metropolitan areas.
DAMA vs. Aged Care Labour Agreement
ACLA is the primary pathway for aged care workers nationwide, whereas DAMA agreements apply in specific regional zones with longer work requirements for PR.
| Feature | Aged Care Labour Agreement | DAMA |
|---|---|---|
|
PR Pathway |
2 years nationwide |
3+ years regional |
|
Location |
Australia-wide |
Specific zones only |
|
Age Limit (PR) |
55 years |
Usually under 55 |
Step-by-Step Application Process for Aged Care Labour Agreement
Currently, in 2026, the Aged Care Labour Agreement is the most robust path toward permanent residency (PR) in Australia. You are required to comply with a very strict, multistage pathway that is necessary for your success in the process. Each of the steps has been structured carefully to help you meet high standards from both the unions and the Department of Home Affairs.
Step 1: Secure an Approved ACLA Sponsor
The first and most important step in the process for the Aged care labour agreement is to find an employer who is eligible and has already entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the concerned unions (ANMF, HSU, or UWU) and holds a valid Aged Care Labour Agreement.
Since there is no public labour agreement aged care list updated daily, you should target major providers like Opal, Estia, or Aegis for you to have a higher chance of you having a positive outcome.
Hence, you should mention your eligibility for the “Labour Agreement Stream” in your cover letter. As employers are often more willing to hire when they know you understand the specific 482 labour agreement requirements and increases your chances in the process.
Step 2: Complete Your Aged Care Skills Assessment (ACWA)
After you have secured an approved sponsor, the next step will be completing your ACWA. If your qualifications are from overseas or you are relying on work experience, a positive aged care skills assessment (ACWA) is mandatory.
You are required to provide the proof that you are qualified by providing a relevant AQF Certificate III (or equivalent) OR 12 months of full-time experience.
Step 3: Meet the English Language Proficiency Standards for the Sponsorship
While the Aged Care Labour Agreement offers various exemptions and facilities on this sector, you must still prove your English ability.
For the 482 visa, you generally required to have a minimum score of IELTS 5.0 (with no band less than 4.5). Keep in mind that for the 186 PR transition, you will need to increase this to an IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent PTE score).
Step 4: Employer Nomination and Visa Lodgment
Once the job offer is received, the legal process begins with two steps using the ImmiAccount:
Your employer submits you for the particular ANZSCO occupation (for example, 423111). Your employer is required to pay the Skilling Australians Fund Levy. Then, you are required to submit the application for a Subclass 482 visa. The primary application fee that you need to pay for the Aged Labour Agreement stream in 2026 is approximately $3,115 AUD.
Step 5: Transition to Permanent Residency (PR)
The ultimate objective of an Australian sponsorship visa for aged care workers is to obtain permanent residency and take advantage of its benefits.
After working for two years under the aged care labour agreement, you become eligible for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme. Unlike other streams, you can apply for this PR pathway up until the age of 55, provided you have maintained continuous employment with an ACLA provider.
| Stage | Action Item | Typical Timeline | Estimated Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Stage 1 |
Skill Assessment (ACWA) |
6–10 weeks |
AUD $545 –
AUD $1,000 |
|
Stage 2 |
English Testing (PTE/IELTS) |
1–2 weeks |
AUD $300 – AUD $410 |
|
Stage 3 |
Employer Nomination |
2–4 weeks |
Paid by Employer |
|
Stage 4 |
Subclass 482 Visa Grant |
4–8 weeks |
AUD $3,115 (Main Applicant) |
|
Stage 5 |
Subclass 186 PR Grant |
After 2 years |
AUD $4,910 (Main Applicant) |
Costs Related to the Aged Care Labour Agreement
In 2026, the Australian Government introduced “user-pays” schemes, resulting in indexed Visa Fees and Assessment Charges. For those seeking the Aged Care Labour Agreement Visa route, accurate cost budgeting is critical to help make your application “Decision-Ready” and cost-free by surprise.
| Expense Category | 2026 Estimated Cost (AUD) | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
|
Pre-Visa Stage |
AUD $545 – $595 |
Applicant |
|
Pre-Visa Stage |
AUD $475 |
Applicant |
|
Visa Stage 1 (482) |
AUD $3,210 |
Applicant/Employer* |
|
Visa Stage 1 (482) |
AUD $500 – $650 |
Applicant |
|
Visa Stage 2 (186) |
AUD $4,910 |
Applicant/Employer* |
|
Professional Support |
AUD $2,500 – $5,000 |
Applicant (Optional) |
|
TOTAL INVESTMENT |
AUD $12,140 – $14,840 |
- Professional Skills Validation (ACWA/ANMAC)
Prior to the actual application for the visa, it is necessary to demonstrate competency. There is a fee required for a qualification audit of the relevant experience, administered by Community Work Australia (ACWA) or ANMAC. Currently, the fee for the ACLA stream in 2026 is around AUD $545 to $595. Alternatively, if it becomes necessary to apply for a ‘Fast Track’ service, a supplementary fee of AUD $200-$400 is required.
- English Proficiency Testing
Although there are concessions offered by ACLA, there is still a test to be taken As at the end of 2025 or beginning of 2026, it would cost approximately AUD $475 (inclusion of GST) to sit for either the IELTS Academic/General or PTE Academy test in Australia. There might be a slight variation if it is held internationally.
- Visa Application Charges (VAC)
The Home Affairs Department has also stated an increase in fees starting July 1, 2025. The cost involved in Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) Labour Agreement Stream, as a primary applicant, is AUD $3,210. When you finally process your application for the Subclass 186 (Permanent Residency), the governmental cost involved is AUD $4,910.
Note: Employers are legally obligated to pay the Nomination fee ($540) and the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy which should not be charged to the worker.
- Mandatory Health and Character Checks
A medical examination at a clinic approved by various approved authorities like Bupa (approximately AUD $350-$500) and Police Clearances from each country if lived in for 12+ months (approximately AUD $50-$150 per country).
The PR Pathway for the Aged Care Labour Agreement
While there is a fixed age limit cutoff for most PR visas, there is no age limit for a temporary Subclass 482 visa under the aged care labour agreement, and the PR age limit for Subclass 186 visa extends to 55 years, a concession compared to the usual 45 years. This makes the ACLA an attractive pathway for experienced workers missed by other programs.
Sponsoring employers must offer at least AUD 78,317.94 annually or the current Australian salary rate, whichever is higher, ensuring fairness.
For most employer-sponsored PR visas, there is a standard 3-year requirement. But the Aged Care Labour Agreement provides you a facility to apply for the PR after just 2 years of full-time work experience in Australia.
FAQs on Aged Care Labour Agreement
It is the concessional Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Subclass 482 visa under the ACLA stream, providing a pathway to PR with English requirements.
No official government-public list exists; consult unions such as ANMF, HSU, UWU or expert migration agents for current providers.
Overall IELTS 5.0 or equivalent; lower requirement 4.5 for culturally diverse providers.
No, a minimum two years of full-time work in Australia under the temporary visa is required before PR eligibility via the Subclass 186 visa.
It covers Nursing Support Workers and Personal Care Assistants, but not Registered Nurses.
Secure Your Future with the Aged Care Labour Agreement
The aged care labour agreement offers a stable, well-paid career and a clear path to PR in Australia. Knowing the eligibility criteria such as English level and extended age limit enables confident application for aged care sponsorship and transition from the temporary 482 visa to permanent residency.
For personalized guidance and to avoid application delays, book a free consultation at BJAY. Prepare to meet ACWA skills assessment requirements and secure your aged care sponsorship successfully
