Aged Care Worker Visa Pathway to Australia (ANZSCO 423111)
How aged care workers (ANZSCO 423111) can migrate to Australia through the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement — the 482 to 186 pathway, the lower English requirement, and typical pay. Covers DAMA and regional 491 options too. Figures as at September 2026.
Read the full guide, with official sources →
Watch
Chapters
- 0:00 Aged care worker (ANZSCO 423111):
- 0:13 482 sponsorship,
- 0:26 English concession:
- 0:42 Certificate III in Individual Support:
- 0:54 DAMA options also cover
- 1:07 Regional route:
- 1:19 Typical pay: $50,000–$65,000,
- 1:36 Major sponsoring providers:
- 1:48 Career path:
- 1:59 The work itself:
- 2:13 Where to read more
Transcript
Aged care work is one of Australia's most in-demand skilled migration pathways right now — ANZSCO code 423111.
The route runs through the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement. Approved providers sponsor workers on a subclass 482 visa, with a pathway to subclass 186 permanent residence after 2 to 3 years.
The Labour Agreement also concedes on English. Standard subclass 482 English is IELTS 5.0 in each band — the concession lowers Reading and Writing to 4.5, while Listening and Speaking stay at 5.0.
The standard qualification is a Certificate III in Individual Support, Ageing — it can be completed in Australia in about 6 months, and some sponsoring employers even train workers on the job.
Outside the Labour Agreement, several Designated Area Migration Agreements also include aged care roles — the Northern Territory DAMA, the SA Regional DAMA, and the Western Sydney DAMA among them.
There's also a regional pathway: a subclass 491 regional nomination, moving to subclass 191 permanent residence, with strong demand from regional aged care employers.
Pay typically runs AUD 24 to 32 an hour ordinary time — around $50,000 to $65,000 full-time. With shift, weekend and night penalties, many workers' total annual income reaches $65,000 to $85,000.
The major sponsoring employers include large aged care chains — Bupa Aged Care, Regis Aged Care, and BlueCross among them — plus smaller regional and community providers.
After permanent residence, many workers progress into nursing — an 18-month Diploma of Nursing for enrolled nurse status, or a 3-year Bachelor of Nursing for full registered nurse scope.
It's physically and emotionally demanding work — lifting, extended time on your feet, and caring for people living with dementia or nearing end of life. It suits people who are patient and physically capable, not everyone.
The full guide, with the official sources, is on migratio.com.au. The link is in the description. And if you'd like to talk it through, you can compare registered migration agents there, and see their fees before you book anything.
Short versions
- Aged care: 482 sponsorship, then 186 permanent residence (0:37)
- The English concession for aged care sponsorship (0:46)
- What aged care workers actually earn (0:35)
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