22 Apr Aged Care PR Pathway: Steps to Permanent Residency in Aged Care
Australia has many opportunities for hard-working individuals, so it’s no surprise that migrant arrivals have increased to 73% to 737,000 from 427,000 a few years ago. Moving to Australia is life-changing: better weather (usually), one of the best healthcare systems in the world, and a great sense of community across all our states.
The aged care industry is growing in Australia, and there are many job opportunities, especially ones that can help workers gain permanent residency. If you naturally care about people and enjoy caring for others, you may be interested in gaining permanent residency in Australia through the aged care PR pathway. Yes, you can gain a visa under an aged care labour agreement.
In this article, we’ll explore the aged care PR pathway, how to obtain residency and the benefits of pursuing an aged care career.
Is aged care in demand in Australia?
Australia is known for its high-standard lifestyle. Due to its improved healthcare facilities and medical conditions, the population of elderly people has increased and is continuing to do so; a recent report predicted that the population over 85 will double in the next 25 years, rising to over 1 million people.
The increase in the elderly population means there will be a high demand for aged care workers to help those people maintain an excellent standard of living towards the end of their lives. The aged care workforce is one of the fastest-growing sectors in Australia. So, if you’re worried about finding work before pursuing the aged care PR pathway, rest at ease knowing that the industry is thriving.
What is the aged care PR Pathway?
Working in aged care is an opportunity to become a permanent resident of Australia, bring your expertise to the country, make a difference, and improve the quality of life of the elderly. Some aged-care roles can grant you permanent residency once you’ve completed work experience and gotten the proper visas.
Two pathways exist to gaining permanent residence:
1). Permanent Employer Sponsored Visa (subclass 186): You can obtain this visa after two years of full-time work experience in Australia in a direct care occupation. Work experience isn’t tied to any specific employer or via subclass.
2). Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 484): A pathway to obtaining a temporary visa to help obtain full residency. This visa is for people who have yet to require work experience in Australia.
The idea is that you already have experience in the sector and can use it in an aged career role here in Australia. However, you will need a visa to work and live in Australia as someone who wasn’t born here.
The two aged care PR pathways mentioned are considered the best route, but both you and your new employer must meet certain requirements. To work with an aged care provider, they may need an Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement, depending on which route you take. We will explore both pathways a little deeper later in the article.
Exploring the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement
Australian aged care providers can apply for access to the new Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement. This means recruiting qualified care workers from overseas is more straightforward and more direct. Your new employer must have access to the labour agreement to hire you.
The agreement is a great way to connect talented care workers with a role in the aged care industry. Companies can use the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement to sponsor overseas workers in the following care roles:
1). Aged or Disabled Carer
2). Personal Care Assistant
3). Nursing Support Worker
Applicants can be nominated through the Labour Agreement streams of the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa and the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa. Companies must have recently attempted to recruit aged care workers from the domestic workforce pool to apply for the Labour Agreement.
How to obtain permanent residency with aged care PR pathway
You will need a visa to work and live in Australia, and the aged care PR pathway is no different. But there are steps you can take to help you begin your journey of moving and working here.
Get a Permanent Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 186)
To obtain the 186 visas, you’ll have to meet requirements, have specific qualifications, and pay around $4,600, and the overall process can take over a year.
For this particular aged care PR pathway, you must:
1). Work experience: At least two years of full-time work experience in Australia in a relevant direct care occupation.
2). Relevant qualifications: You need an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate III or an equivalent qualification.
3). Meet age and language criteria: You need an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate III or an equivalent qualification.
4). Meet salary expectations: Get a minimum Australian Market Salary Rate salary.
Apply for a Temporary Skill Shortage Labour Agreement (subclass 482) Visa
The 482 visa is usually easier to obtain than the 186, and it’s cheaper, too, as it currently costs around $3000 and takes up to six months to process. You can apply for the 482 visa if you don’t have work experience in Australia.
There are requirements you’ll have to meet to take this aged care PR pathway, such as:
1). Nomination:You must be nominated by an employer with access to the Labour agreement.
2). Qualifications:You need an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate III or an equivalent qualification.
3). Experience:You must have 12 months of full-time or part-time equivalent relevant work experience within the last five years.
4). Meet salary expectations:Get a minimum Australian Market Salary Rate salary.
5). Speak English:You must have a minimum level of English.
Take an assessment to prove your skills.
Regardless of which visa you’re applying for; you will have to take an assessment to prove your skill set. You must take the skill assessment if you’ve gained your qualifications overseas.
The assessment you take will depend on the role you pursue, for example:
1). Nursing Support Workers and Personal Care Assistants: you must undertake a skill assessment from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council.
2). Aged and Disabled Carer: You will take the assessment with the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA).
Once you’ve received a positive result, you can send your assessment results and visa application. Once you’ve been granted your visa application, you can start working in the aged care sector in Australia.
The benefits of obtaining permanent residency via the Aged Care PR Pathway
You could work anywhere globally with the great skills you gain from working in the aged care sector. But since you’re here, we’re guessing you’re looking at good ole Australia, and we don’t blame you. There are an array of benefits to continuing your career over here.
As if you don’t need any more convincing to move overseas, we’ve compiled a short (but mighty) list of benefits of working in aged care jobs here:
1). Competitive salary: The salaries for aged care workers are considered competitive and decent. Although salaries vary between experience and roles, on average, an aged care worker makes about $87,284 annually. You could earn up to $130.907 as you progress in your career.
2). Job security: Australia has a high demand for aged care workers, so you can work knowing your role is secure. There will always be a need for aged care workers.
3). Highly rewarding:We’ve mentioned how life can improve for you when you move to Australia, but it’s also important we mention how highly rewarding an aged care career is. Every day you go to work, you’ll be making a positive impact in someone’s life, you’ll meet so many new people, and you’ll be part of a brilliant team.
4). Career advancement: The aged care sector offers growth opportunities, learning new skills and creating career growth. You can progress into higher roles or purpose education and specialisation.
Download the hopstep app to view available aged care roles/h3>
Now that you know how to obtain permanent residency with the aged care PR pathway, you may be wondering where to start looking for your dream role. The answer is hopstep. The hopstep app helps create fast and easy connections between candidates and employers.
Happiness in healthcare is only a hopstep away. Find your perfect aged care job today and download the app.