The Silver Tsunami: Australia's Aged Care Industry Can Weather the Workforce Crisis
Australia’s Aged Care Sector will need an extra 170,000 carers by 2031. With increased Federal Government funding comes stricter rules for direct patient care. Meeting these requirements using overtime or agency staff can jeopardise the finances of an aged care facility. Strategic immigration brings coherence to patient care, financial viability and sector stability.
“With an estimated shortage of 12,000 Registered Nurses in the sector, aged care CEOs who originally trained as RNs are filling shifts themselves to meet the mandatory 24/7 RN requirements." The Weekly Source 2023
The Weekly Source 2023
Innovations in Aged Care Employment: Building a Stronger Future for Australia's Seniors
Australia’s aged care sector is undergoing a significant transformation due to the increasing aging population. Aged care organizations are grappling with the challenge of maintaining high-quality services while facing workforce shortages. Successive Federal governments have increased funding to the sector, and in 2019 the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program (QI Program) commenced, and became a requirement for all aged care providers, to ensure minimum care levels for residents. In October 2023, an additional requirement of 200 minutes of direct care, per patient, per day was added to this mandate.Â
Despite the welcome additional funding, aged care providers struggle to find staff to meet these requirements, and are forced to resort to agency staff, who cost up to 60% more than regular employees. With staff making up the bulk of aged care costs, and narrow margins in the sector, staff shortages can severely impact aged care facility finances, potentially making them unviable. Strategic migration assists in solving this staff gap through recruitment of skilled professionals from overseas. Ultimately, a fully staffed sector will increase patient care, stabilise the finances of crucial facilities, and create a robust national network built to meet the needs of aging Australians.
Addressing Workforce Shortages with skilled overseas workers
Australia’s aging population has led to a surge in demand for aged care services, resulting in workforce shortages. Strategic migration services provide a feasible solution to bridge this gap by enabling aged care organizations to tap into a global pool of skilled professionals. The Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa, also known as the TSS Visa, offers an avenue for organizations to bring in skilled workers from overseas to fill positions that cannot be sourced locally. For instance, doctors and registered nurses are integral to providing quality care in aged care facilities, and the TSS Visa allows these organizations to address staffing deficiencies swiftly.
Specific Visa Classes for Aged Care Professionals
A range of visa options are available for Aged Care staff, including the Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417); Temporary Work (skilled) Visa (subclass 457); Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462); Temporary work (short stay activity) Visa (subclass 400); Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186); Regional sponsored migration scheme Visa (subclass 187); and the Special Category Visa (subclass 444).Â
For registered nurses, who play a pivotal role in aged care facilities, sponsorship under the TSS Visa’s Medium-Term stream is applicable. This stream grants registered nurses the opportunity to work in Australia for up to four years, addressing long-term staffing needs and enhancing the quality of care for elderly residents.
Aged care staff, encompassing various roles such as caregivers and personal support workers, can be sponsored through the Subclass 482 Visa as well. This visa provides the flexibility to bring in skilled workers across multiple disciplines, contributing to the holistic care provided to elderly residents.
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) & Labour Agreements
The Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa further supports this by allowing employers to nominate skilled workers, such as aged care staff, to permanently work and reside in Australia. This visa encourages the retention of experienced professionals, who not only contribute to improved care but also foster a sense of inclusivity among residents.
Labour Agreements are formal agreements established between the Australian government and approved employers to address specific skill shortages. These agreements are designed to facilitate the recruitment of skilled workers from overseas to fill positions that cannot be readily met by the domestic labour market. In the Aged Care sector, these agreements often allow approved providers to sponsor overseas workers, such as nurses and caregivers, to ensure that the elderly population receives the necessary care and support, thus maintaining the quality of aged care services in Australia. These agreements typically come with certain eligibility criteria and obligations for both employers and sponsored employees to ensure fair and responsible migration practices.
K1 Migration & Aged Care
For more than 20 years, K1 Migration has worked with health and aged care providers to meet the growing health needs of Australians. In addition to individual visa applications, we have worked with providers on complex strategies to address workforce shortages. Within Labour Agreements, Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs), are a specific type of labour agreement designed to address regional labour shortages for specific geographic areas allowing sponsorship of skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for temporary or permanent employment when suitable local candidates cannot be found.Â
Company-specific labour agreements, also known as Enterprise Migration Agreements (EMAs), are another type of labor agreement designed for large Australian businesses that have significant labour needs. EMAs allow these companies to sponsor skilled overseas workers when they cannot meet their workforce requirements with the local labour market.
Alongside specific agreements, K1 Migration has worked with major Australian companies in innovative strategies to source and train talent in local overseas markets, to upskill candidates so they are eligible for employment and sponsorship in Australia.Â
Visa Options For Aged Care Workers In Australia
To work in Australia’s aged care system, applicants must complete the necessary skills assessments for visa approval.
Temporary work (short stay activity) Visa (subclass 400)
Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)
Visa Options for Nurses
Your visa options for nursing in Australia depend on your specialisation and where you plan to work. Once registered, there may need to be a bridging course to ensure you are at the Australian nursing standards. There is also a skills assessment for visa application.
Visa Option For Aged Care Workers
There are many opportunities for aged care worker visas in Australia. Aged care institutions can sponsor overseas nurses for the Temporary Skills Shortage 482 visa for occupations such as Nursing Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant, or Aged or Disabled Carer. If such a temporary visa holder has been in Australia for 2 years or more, then you can look at sponsoring them for permanent residency under the Employer Nomination Scheme 186 visa. If you are an aged care worker who wishes to live and work in Australia, contact our team of experts and book a discovery call. With our understanding and experience of the health care industry, we can assist with your goals.
How the K1 team can help
Find the lifestyle you’ve been looking for, and a boost to your medical career, helping everyday Australians.
Step 1
Once you reach out to K1 Migration, we set up a discovery call to understand what your needs are and what Visa best suits you.
Step 2
From there, we will send you a Strategy proposal outlining the steps we will take to assist you in getting a Visa for you to sign off on.
Step 3
Now our team leaps into action, following immigration pathways, taking care of the paperwork and helping you through the entire application process.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Let’s make it happen together. Contact K1 Migration today, and let us help you or your business take the next big step. We’re here to make your move smooth, stress-free, and successful!
Not sure what visa you could be eligible for?
Australian visas can be confusing, especially if you might have more than one option. Use our Visa Finder to view your visa options.Â
Want to speak to someone about your case?
Not sure where to go from here? Speak to a registered migration agent about your immigration needs today.
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Know what visa you want to apply for but need some pricing? Get in touch with us and we will get back to you with a fixed price quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Most aged care working visas allow you to include family members in your application, including your spouse/partner and dependent children. Family members will generally have full rights to live, work, and study in Australia.
Yes, the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) offers special concessions for aged care professionals, including:
- Age waivers for applicants over 45 years old.
- Relaxed English language requirements.
- Lower work experience thresholds.
- Access to permanent residency pathways.
DAMA agreements are available in several regions across Australia, including Northern Territory, Far North Queensland, and parts of South Australia.
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Australia’s aged care sector is experiencing a critical workforce shortage, especially in regional areas. This demand covers roles such as carers, nurses, and support workers. The Australian Government continues to prioritize aged care roles in its skilled migration programs to fill these shortages.
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