Filipino Aged Care Workers: How to Work in Australia in 2026

TL;DR

Australia's aged care sector is actively recruiting from the Philippines. Pathways include the subclass 482 through industry labour agreements, DAMA arrangements, and some skilled visa routes. You will likely need a Certificate III in Individual Support and a skills assessment from VETASSESS or TRA.

Introduction

Australia's aged care workforce is under severe pressure. An ageing population, the fallout from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and new minimum staffing requirements have created thousands of vacancies that Australian workers alone cannot fill.

Filipino aged care workers and personal care assistants are among the most actively recruited overseas workers in this sector. The Philippines produces experienced, English-speaking care workers, and Australian aged care providers have built recruitment pipelines specifically targeting Filipino applicants.

But the visa pathway is not straightforward. Aged care occupations sit in a grey area — not always on the main skilled occupation lists, but accessible through special labour agreements and DAMA arrangements. This guide explains your options. For a broader look at all Filipino visa pathways, see the Philippines to Australia visa guide.

ANZSCO Codes for Aged Care Workers

Your ANZSCO code determines which visa pathways, skills assessments, and occupation lists apply. The two main codes for aged care workers are:

- 423111 — Aged or Disabled Carer: Provides personal care and support to aged or disabled people in residential facilities or private homes. This includes assisting with daily living activities, administering medication under supervision, and monitoring client wellbeing.
- 423311 — Personal Care Assistant: Assists patients or residents with personal care tasks in hospitals, aged care facilities, or community settings.

Getting the right ANZSCO code matters. The wrong code can mean your visa application fails even if you are doing the right job. A MARA-registered migration agent can help confirm which code fits your role.

Visa Pathways for Aged Care Workers

Aged care occupations are not always on the standard Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Your pathway depends on whether your employer has a labour agreement, whether you are in a DAMA region, or whether your specific occupation appears on a state nomination list.

### Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand (Employer Sponsored)

The subclass 482 is the most common pathway for Filipino aged care workers. An Australian employer sponsors you to fill a specific role.

For aged care occupations, the 482 usually operates under the short-term stream. This means:

- Visa duration is up to two years (renewable once)
- It does not automatically lead to permanent residence under the standard stream
- However, labour agreement pathways may change this (see below)

The employer must demonstrate they cannot find an Australian worker for the position, pay at or above the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), and be an approved sponsor.

### Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement

The aged care industry labour agreement is a game-changer for Filipino care workers. This arrangement between the Australian Government and approved aged care providers allows employers to sponsor overseas workers specifically for aged care roles.

Key features of the labour agreement:

- Access to occupations not on standard lists — aged care worker roles that do not appear on the MLTSSL become sponsorable
- Possible English concessions — some agreements allow lower English requirements than the standard subclass 482
- Salary concessions — the TSMIT threshold may be adjusted for aged care roles where standard salaries fall below the general threshold
- Permanent residence pathway — some agreements include access to the subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) through the labour agreement stream

Your employer must hold an approved labour agreement. Not all aged care providers have one. Ask prospective employers directly whether they have a labour agreement in place.

### DAMA Pathways

Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) are regional agreements between the Australian Government and regional authorities. Several DAMAs include aged care worker occupations with concessions similar to labour agreements.

DAMA regions that have included aged care roles:

- Northern Territory DAMA
- South Australia Regional DAMA
- Far North Queensland DAMA
- Various other regional DAMAs across Victoria, Western Australia, and New South Wales

DAMA pathways often include permanent residence options and may offer salary and English concessions. The trade-off is you must live and work in the specified regional area.

### Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional

Some states include aged care occupations on their skilled occupation lists for the subclass 491. The 491 is a points-tested provisional visa that leads to permanent residence (subclass 191) after three years of regional living and working. It adds 15 points to your score. Check current state nomination lists, as these change. Use the points calculator to estimate your score.

Skills Assessment

Your skills assessment body depends on your ANZSCO code and the specific visa pathway.

### VETASSESS

VETASSESS is the main assessing body for aged care worker occupations. They assess your qualifications and employment history against the ANZSCO code requirements.

For aged care workers, VETASSESS typically requires:

- A qualification equivalent to an Australian Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) or higher
- At least one year of relevant paid employment in the last five years
- Evidence that your employment is closely related to the nominated ANZSCO code

Cost: Approximately AUD 800 to 1,050.
Processing time: 8 to 12 weeks for standard applications.

Philippine qualifications: If you hold a TESDA National Certificate II in Caregiving or equivalent, VETASSESS will assess whether it is comparable to the Australian Certificate III. It may or may not meet the standard — outcomes vary. A TESDA NC II in Health Care Services is also commonly submitted.

### TRA (Trades Recognition Australia)

For some visa pathways (particularly DAMA or labour agreement streams), TRA may be the designated assessing body. The TRA assessment process differs from VETASSESS — it often involves a practical assessment or workplace observation.

### Certificate III Requirement

The Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) is the Australian industry standard for aged care workers. If your Philippine qualification does not match, you have options:

- Study in Australia — complete the Certificate III at a registered training organisation (RTO). Duration is typically 6 to 12 months, costing AUD 3,000 to 8,000.
- RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) — if you have extensive aged care experience, some RTOs offer RPL pathways to the Certificate III.
- Employer-arranged training — some labour agreements include provisions for employers to train sponsored workers on arrival.

English Language Requirements

English requirements vary by pathway.

### Standard Subclass 482

For a standard 482 visa, you need at least:

| Test | Minimum Score |
|------|--------------|
| IELTS General | 5.0 overall (no band below 4.5) |
| PTE Academic | 36 overall (no section below 36) |
| OET | Grade B in each component |

### Labour Agreement or DAMA Concessions

Under a labour agreement or DAMA, English requirements may be lower — sometimes IELTS 4.5 overall or equivalent. The exact concession depends on the specific agreement your employer holds.

### Filipino Advantage

Filipino applicants generally perform well on English tests because English is a medium of instruction in the Philippines. This is a genuine practical advantage, though it does not exempt you from testing. Prepare for the test format even if your spoken English is strong — test technique matters.

Costs and Timeline

| Item | Approximate Cost (AUD) |
|------|----------------------|
| VETASSESS skills assessment | 800-1,050 |
| English test (IELTS/PTE/OET) | 350-500 |
| Certificate III (if needed in Australia) | 3,000-8,000 |
| Visa application — subclass 482 | 1,895-2,645 |
| Health examination | 400-500 |
| Police clearances (NBI + AFP) | 100-200 |
| Document authentication (DFA) | 50-200 |

Total estimate (without Certificate III): AUD 3,600 to 5,100.
Total estimate (with Certificate III): AUD 6,600 to 13,100.

Start your DFA document authentication early — NBI clearances and educational certificates need authentication for Australian use.

### Timeline

- Months 1-2: English test preparation and exam
- Months 2-4: Skills assessment application and processing
- Months 3-6: Employer identification and sponsorship arrangement
- Months 6-10: Visa lodgement and processing
- Months 10-12: Arrival and commencement

If you need a Certificate III, add 6 to 12 months. If your employer already has a labour agreement, the process may be faster.

Employer Sponsorship Reality

Most Filipino aged care workers arrive through employer sponsorship, not independent skilled migration. Here is what that looks like in practice.

How employers recruit: Major aged care providers work with recruitment agencies that operate in the Philippines. Some hold information sessions and interviews in Manila or Cebu. Others recruit through online platforms and referrals from existing Filipino staff.

What to expect from a sponsorship offer:
- The employer covers visa nomination costs (around AUD 540)
- You typically cover your own skills assessment, English test, and police clearances
- Some employers offer airfare assistance and initial accommodation
- You commit to working for the sponsor for a specified period

Watch out for:
- Offers that require you to pay large upfront fees to a recruitment agency — legitimate employers do not charge workers for sponsorship
- Roles that do not match your ANZSCO code — this can cause visa problems later
- Offers with salaries significantly below the area's market rate

If something feels wrong, check with a MARA-registered migration agent before signing anything.

Settlement Notes

The Filipino community in Australia is large and well-established. For aged care workers settling in regional areas:

- Filipino community networks exist in most regional centres. Churches, cultural organisations, and Filipino shops help with the transition. See our guide on settling in Australia from the Philippines.
- Cost of living in regional areas is generally lower than Sydney or Melbourne, which helps when aged care wages are modest. Our cost of moving guide breaks down expenses by location.
- Career progression is real. Aged care workers can move into team leader, care coordinator, and facility management roles. Some use aged care experience as a platform to pursue enrolled nurse or registered nurse qualifications in Australia.
- Royal Commission reforms have improved conditions. Minimum staffing ratios, mandatory qualifications, and the 15% pay increase awarded by the Fair Work Commission have made aged care a more attractive sector than it was five years ago.

Next Steps

1. Identify your ANZSCO code — confirm whether 423111 or 423311 best fits your experience and the role you want.
2. Check your qualifications — do you hold a TESDA NC II in Caregiving or equivalent? Will it meet the Certificate III benchmark?
3. Take an English practice test — know where you stand before committing to a test booking.
4. Search for employer sponsors — look at aged care providers with labour agreements or in DAMA regions.
5. Start your DFA authentication — get your documents authenticated for educational certificates and NBI clearance.
6. Consult a migration agent — a MARA-registered migration agent can identify which pathway fits your situation and whether a labour agreement or DAMA route is available. Our guide on choosing a migration agent explains what to look for.

Related Resources

- Philippines to Australia: Visa Options for 2026
- Philippines to Australia: Complete 2026 Overview
- Filipino Nurses Moving to Australia
- Cost of Moving to Australia from the Philippines
- Philippine Document Authentication for Australia
- Settling in Australia from the Philippines
- What Is a Skills Assessment?

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What ANZSCO codes apply to aged care workers?

The main codes are 423111 (Aged or Disabled Carer) and 423311 (Personal Care Assistant). These codes determine which visa pathways and skills assessments apply. Your employer and migration agent should confirm the correct code for your specific role before lodging.

Do I need a Certificate III to work in aged care in Australia?

For visa and skills assessment purposes, yes — a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) or equivalent is typically required. Some employer-sponsored pathways through labour agreements may accept overseas qualifications plus experience, but the Certificate III is the benchmark.

Can aged care workers get permanent residence?

It depends on the pathway. Standard subclass 482 short-term stream roles do not lead to permanent residence. However, DAMA arrangements and the aged care industry labour agreement may include permanent residence pathways. The subclass 186 through a labour agreement stream is one option.

What is the aged care industry labour agreement?

It is a formal arrangement between the Australian Government and approved aged care employers. It allows employers to sponsor overseas workers in aged care roles that would not otherwise be available on standard skilled occupation lists. It may include concessions on English, salary, and qualification requirements.

How much do aged care workers earn in Australia?

Base rates for aged care workers in Australia are around AUD 28 to 34 per hour, depending on the state, employer, and your qualifications. Weekend and night shift penalties can increase this. The 2022 Fair Work Commission decision awarded a 15% pay increase to aged care workers, with further increases implemented since.