Start on your path to permanent residency!
Direct Care workers who are working in Aged Care are now eligible to be sponsored for a permanent resident visa to address workforce shortages in aged care.
United Workers Union has been working with employers and the Labor Government to create a new pathway for Carers to become permanent residents.
The new visa came into place in May last year. If you are in Australia and have 2 years work experience as a carer, you could be nominated by your employer to become permanent.
Only aged care employers who have negotiated with the union and have a Labour Agreement will be able to sponsor workers on to permanent residency.
Two pathways to become a permanent residency:
For Workers in Australia:
- Aged care employers can nominate eligible carers already working in Australia for permanent residency.
For Workers Outside Australia:
- A separate pathway is available for workers living overseas, allowing them to join Australia’s aged care workforce and transition to permanent residency.
Who Can Sponsor You?
Only aged care employers who have partnered with the union and negotiated a Labour Agreement are eligible to sponsor workers under this program.
This initiative provides a significant opportunity for aged care workers to achieve permanent residency while contributing to the essential care of Australia’s elderly population.
Take action!
Send Your Employer A Letter Asking Them To Consider A Labour Agreement
Across the country, aged care workers are actively petitioning their employers to adopt labour agreements and offer pathways to permanent residency for migrant workers.
Take the first step today by downloading our collective letter, fill in the letter with your workmates, and hand it to your employer. You never know whether this action could lead to your workplace agreeing to sponsor workers!
As a UWU member you’re never alone and we will be there to support you from the start of this process through to the end.
aged care providers with existing labour agreements or currently in process:
These aged care providers have signed and or are signing MOUs (memorandums of understanding) for Labour Agreements with the United Workers Union. This list does not reflect all the discussions the United Workers Union is currently having with aged care providers wanting to sign an MOU.
Aegis – WA
Estia – QLD & SA
Hall & Prior – WA
Opal – QLD, SA, WA
Italian Village Fremantle – WA
Curtin Heritage Living – WA
Menkawum Ngurra – Halls Creek People’s Church Frail Aged Care – WA
Yura Yungi (Halls Creek) – WA
SwanCare – WA
Meath Care – WA
Alinea – WA
AliCaring – QLD
Amazing Procare – QLD
Pinaroo Roma – QLD
Kaloma Home for the Aged Goondiwindi – QLD
Lutheran Services – QLD
1st Care Community – QLD
Sunnycare – QLD
First Care Community – QLD
Mercy Community -QLD
NoosaCare – QLD
McLean Care – QLD & NSW
Home Care Helpers – NSW
My Guardian – NSW
All Home Caring – NSW
Reliable Nursing – NSW
Right at Home – NSW
Rubies Nursing Care – NSW & ACT
Alpha Omega – NSW
Pennwood Aged Care Services – SA
Mt View Homes – SA
Jallarah Homes – SA
Adelaide Quality Care – SA
Wami Kata – SA
HammondCare – SA
is your employer refusing to sign a labour agreement?
Download a list of the above providers' facilities and see if there's one near you!
Exclusive Sponsorship interview Training for UWU Members
Navigating the journey to permanent residency can be challenging. To support our members, we are offering exclusive training sessions tailored to help you succeed when interviewing for companies with labor agreements offering permanent residency pathways.
Our comprehensive training will cover:
- Interview Preparation Strategies: Tips and techniques to excel in your visa interview.
- Government and Employer Criteria for Visa Sponsorship: Understanding the key requirements for sponsorship eligibility.
- Insights for Success: Key insights to help you navigate the interview process with confidence.
This training is available exclusively to United Workers Union (UWU) members. Not a member yet? Join today to gain access to this vital support and more on your pathway to permanent residency.
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Who can access an Aged Care Labour Agreement?
Who can access an Aged Care Labour Agreement?
We just signed our first agreement!
We just signed our first agreement!
What about your rights in Australia?
What about your rights in Australia?
What about currently employed aged care workers?
What about currently employed aged care workers?
Why should workers on the aged care visa join their union?
Why should workers on the aged care visa join their union?
UWU members meeting the Minister for Immigration!
UWU members meeting the Minister for Immigration!
Making the industry better for all: residents, workers AND employers!
Making the industry better for all: residents, workers AND employers!
What’s covered in the agreement between unions and aged care providers?
What’s covered in the agreement between unions and aged care providers?
Start your pathway to permanent residency in Australia!
Start your pathway to permanent residency in Australia!
What are UWU aged care members’ thoughts on Labour Agreements and pathways to PR?
What are UWU aged care members’ thoughts on Labour Agreements and pathways to PR?
We're about to sign an agreement with Opal
We're about to sign an agreement with opal
Hear from Sumanpreet from India
Hear from Sumanpreet from india
Harshit talks aged care visa, PR, and unions!
Harshit talks aged care visa, PR, and unions!
Summary of Visa requirements
Onshore – Temporary Skills Shortage Visa (subclass 482)
Onshore – Temporary Skills Shortage Visa (subclass 482)
English language
- IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent), and no minimum individual band scores
Qualifications
- Certificate III, or overseas equivalent, or hold a higher qualification
- Or have 12 months of full-time work experience in a direct care role in either disability or aged care
Work Experience
- 2 years full-time work experience or part-time equivalent before you’re eligible to apply for PR (subclass 186)
Offshore – Temporary Skills Shortage Visa (subclass 482)
Offshore – Temporary Skills Shortage Visa (subclass 482)
English language
- IELTS 5.0 (or equivalent) with minimum component scores of 5.0 for speaking and listening, and 4.5 for reading and writing
- The English language requirements for permanency is IELTS 5.5 with no component minimum
Qualifications
- Certificate III, or overseas equivalent, or hold a higher qualification (skills assessment required)
- Or have 12 months of relevant full-time work experience, or equivalent part-time experience (skills assessment required)
Work Experience
- 2 years full-time work experience in a direct care role before your employer can sponsor you for PR (subclass 186)