Aged care · Labour agreement · For providers
Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement: sponsoring care workers through it
An approved aged care provider can sponsor direct-care workers the standard 482 does not cover, such as personal care workers, by requesting access to the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement, which runs under an industry framework agreed with the aged care unions and has its own English and qualification terms. Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536), prepares the access request and the nominations for the provider, from A$6,000 + GST fixed in writing before any work, after a 60-minute consultation at A$550 inc. GST that is credited if you proceed.
By Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) since 2015 · WIDEN, Sydney · Reviewed November 2026
Keshab Chapagain · MARN 1576536 · Registered since 2015 - Who requests it
- The approved provider, not the worker
- Roles
- Aged or Disabled Carer, Nursing Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant
- First step
- A memorandum with the relevant union
- WIDEN
- From A$6,000 + GST, fixed in writing
The migration agent that other migration agents learn from. WIDEN is an OMARA-approved CPD provider — our training is rated ★4.8 by 40+ registered migration agents.
About the CPD →Aged care labour agreement occupation list (2026)
| Occupation | ANZSCO | Typical role |
|---|---|---|
| Aged or Disabled Carer | 423111 | Care worker in residential or home care |
| Nursing Support Worker | 423312 | Assistant in nursing |
| Personal Care Assistant | 423313 | Personal care worker |
Registered nurses are usually sponsored under the 482 Core Skills stream instead. The agreement's terms are set in the industry framework and change at review; the Department confirms the occupations in each provider's agreement.
What it costs a provider
| What | Paid to | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Standard business sponsorship | Home Affairs | A$420 |
| 482 nomination, per worker | Home Affairs | A$330 |
| Skilling Australians Fund levy, per year of the visa | Home Affairs | A$1,200 (turnover under A$10 million) or A$1,800 |
| 482 visa, main applicant | Home Affairs | A$4,015 |
| Labour agreement access request and the nominations, prepared and lodged | WIDEN | from A$6,000 + GST |
Home Affairs price list read 1 November 2026; visa charge read 21 October 2026; Skilling Australians Fund levy: Home Affairs. WIDEN fee as on /fees/ (1 November 2026). Regional employers may also look at a DAMA, such as the Pilbara DAMA.
Who it is for
The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement, introduced in 2023, is for approved aged care providers delivering direct care. It covers roles that are otherwise hard to sponsor: Aged or Disabled Carer, Nursing Support Worker and Personal Care Assistant. Registered nurses are usually sponsored under the 482 Core Skills stream instead. Access is at the provider level, so a worker cannot apply for it; the business requests it before it can nominate anyone under it.
How a provider gets access, step by step
- Check eligibility. The Department confirms it when it assesses the request.
- Sign a memorandum of understanding with the relevant union. This step is unique to the agreement. The unions are the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, the Health Services Union and the United Workers Union; which is relevant depends on the roles. The signed memorandum forms part of the request, so it comes first and can take time to negotiate.
- Request access from Home Affairs. The Department assesses the provider's standing, compliance history and capacity before granting access.
- Nominate each role under the agreement, then each worker applies for the visa.
What the agreement changes
- Labour market testing: the union memorandum satisfies it, so there is no standard advertising before each nomination.
- English: a lower threshold than the standard 482, in two tiers. Standard providers: IELTS 5.0 overall (5.0 speaking and listening, 4.5 reading and writing). Culturally and linguistically diverse providers: IELTS 4.5 with no component minimum, where the worker is fluent in the relevant language.
- Qualifications: a Certificate III or equivalent or higher, or 12 months of relevant work experience. Overseas qualifications need a skills assessment from ANMAC or ACWA.
- Permanent residence: a two-year pathway through the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme, labour agreement stream.
- Salary: no discount. The worker must be paid at least the market salary rate for the role and region, and aged care award rates apply.
Timing
Access is front-loaded, so the first nomination is slower than a standard 482 for a provider that is already a sponsor. The union memorandum can take a few weeks to a couple of months, and the access request is then assessed over a further period. A realistic timeframe for your organisation comes after the consultation.
What WIDEN does, and what it costs
Keshab scopes eligibility, assists with the union memorandum, prepares the access request and then the nominations, and can prepare each worker's visa. It starts with the 60-minute consultation, A$550 inc. GST, credited if you proceed. The labour agreement work is quoted from A$6,000 + GST, fixed in writing under a service agreement before any work. Consultations are currently by video only. No outcome can be guaranteed.
Weighing the agreement against the standard 482 or the regional 494? The full aged care sponsorship guide sets the routes side by side.
Not sure which visa fits you?
Answer three questions. An automated guide points you to the route that usually applies. General information only.
Book 30 minutes with Keshab.
Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536), reads your situation with you and tells you which route fits, what it costs and what happens next.
Video consultation. A$330 inc. GST for 30 minutes, credited in full if you go ahead. Free questions are closed: advice on your own case is the consultation.
Book a consultation — A$330 inc. GST, credited In writing, no call — A$550
Need 60 minutes, or bringing a partner, employer or documents to go through? Extended consultation, A$550 inc. GST.
MARN 1576536 · practising since 2015 · contact details
Questions we get asked first
What is on the aged care labour agreement occupation list in 2026?
Three direct-care occupations: Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111), Nursing Support Worker (423312) and Personal Care Assistant (423313). Registered nurses are usually sponsored under the 482 Core Skills stream instead. WIDEN prepares the provider's access request and the nominations from A$6,000 + GST, as on our fees page.
Who can use the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement?
Approved aged care providers delivering direct care. Access is at the provider level: the business requests access before it can nominate anyone under the agreement. A worker cannot apply for it.
Which roles does it cover?
Direct-care roles the standard 482 does not readily cover: Aged or Disabled Carer, Nursing Support Worker and Personal Care Assistant. Registered nurses are usually sponsored under the 482 Core Skills stream instead.
Does the provider still have to advertise the job?
The memorandum of understanding with the relevant union satisfies labour market testing under the agreement, so the provider does not run the standard advertising before each nomination.
Can the worker be paid less under the agreement?
No. The worker must be paid at least the market salary rate for the role and region, and aged care award rates apply.
What does WIDEN charge?
The labour agreement request and the nominations are quoted from A$6,000 + GST, fixed in writing before any work, after a 60-minute consultation at A$550 inc. GST that is credited if you proceed. No outcome can be guaranteed.
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