Australia’s aged-care sector provides employment for thousands of workers who support older people in residential facilities, community settings and their own homes.
For foreign workers, this is an especially important part of Australia’s Healthcare & Support job market.
Potential occupations include:
- Aged care worker
- Aged or disabled carer
- Personal care assistant
- Nursing support worker
- Home care worker
- Residential care worker
- Assistant in nursing
- Community care worker
And the earning potential can be substantial.
Current Australian occupational data reports median full-time earnings of approximately:
A$1,761 per week
for Aged and Disabled Carers.
That annualises to approximately:
A$91,572 per year
if someone earned the same amount for 52 weeks.
Median hourly earnings are approximately:
A$46 per hour.
However, there is an important detail.
Only around 40% of workers in this occupation work full-time hours, meaning annual income can vary substantially depending on whether someone works full-time, part-time or casual hours.
This guide explains aged care jobs in Australia for foreign workers, including salaries, qualifications, employer sponsorship, the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement and possible immigration pathways.
What Is an Aged Care Worker?
An aged care worker helps older people maintain their health, independence, dignity and quality of life.
Support can be provided in:
- Residential aged-care facilities
- Nursing homes
- Retirement communities
- Private homes
- Community-care programmes
The exact duties depend on the worker’s qualifications and position.
Some aged-care employees provide personal support.
Others work under the direction of nurses and other healthcare professionals.
What Do Aged Care Workers Do?
Common duties can include:
- Helping clients shower and dress
- Personal hygiene assistance
- Mobility assistance
- Meal preparation
- Feeding assistance
- Supporting medication routines within authorised duties
- Helping with household activities
- Companionship
- Monitoring changes in client wellbeing
- Reporting concerns to supervisors
- Supporting recreational activities
- Transport assistance
- Maintaining care records
Aged care involves much more than simply “looking after elderly people.”
Workers frequently support people with complex health, mobility and personal-care needs.
Aged Care Worker Salary in Australia
Current Jobs and Skills Australia data for Aged and Disabled Carers reports:
Median full-time weekly earnings: A$1,761
Median hourly earnings: A$46
Average full-time hours: 43 hours per week
Approximately 40% of workers in the occupation work full-time hours.
These are median occupational earnings rather than a guaranteed wage for every vacancy.
Your actual income depends on:
- Qualification
- Experience
- Employer
- Award classification
- Employment agreement
- Location
- Shift
- Weekend work
- Night work
- Public holidays
- Overtime
- Casual or permanent status
A$1,761 Per Week Is How Much Per Year?
Using a simple 52-week calculation:
A$1,761 × 52 = A$91,572 per year.
Monthly equivalent:
approximately A$7,631.
Again, this does not mean every aged-care worker receives A$91,572.
It represents a simple annualisation of the current median full-time weekly earnings figure.
Aged Care Salary Examples
| Weekly Gross Pay | Approx. Annual Gross |
|---|---|
| A$1,200 | A$62,400 |
| A$1,400 | A$72,800 |
| A$1,600 | A$83,200 |
| A$1,761 | A$91,572 |
| A$1,900 | A$98,800 |
| A$2,000 | A$104,000 |
Actual employment arrangements vary.
Hourly Pay Examples
At 38 hours per week:
| Hourly Rate | Approx. Annual Gross |
|---|---|
| A$30 | A$59,280 |
| A$32 | A$63,232 |
| A$35 | A$69,160 |
| A$40 | A$79,040 |
| A$46 | A$90,896 |
| A$50 | A$98,800 |
These examples are simple calculations, not guaranteed award rates.
Australia’s minimum award rates depend on the worker’s actual classification.
Enter an hourly wage, choose a country, and estimate monthly gross pay, tax and take-home income.
Planning estimate only. The preset uses a simplified flat percentage. Actual tax and payroll deductions can differ based on income level, province/state/region, allowances, social contributions, marital status and local tax rules.
Use the calculator to estimate gross and take-home income. Actual Australian tax and employment deductions depend on individual circumstances.
Aged Care Award
Many employees working in residential aged care are covered by Australia’s Aged Care Award.
The award covers employers in the aged-care industry and employees who fall within its classifications.
Personal care workers are among the workers who can be covered.
Australia has made significant changes to aged-care classifications and minimum wages following the Aged Care Work Value Case.
Aged Care Pay Increases
Minimum pay rates for eligible aged-care employees increased beginning in January 2025.
Further increases applied to some employees from October 2025.
The changes affected workers including:
- Direct-care employees
- Nursing assistants
- Home-care aged-care employees
- Certain nurses working in aged care
Workers should therefore use the latest Fair Work pay guide rather than relying on an old salary advertisement.
Penalty Rates
One reason healthcare and aged-care earnings can vary is penalty rates.
Depending on the applicable award or agreement, additional compensation can apply for work performed during:
- Weekends
- Public holidays
- Certain shifts
- Overtime
Casual employees can also have different pay arrangements.
This can increase gross income considerably for workers who accept less desirable shifts.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Aged Care
Aged care has a large part-time workforce.
Current occupational statistics indicate that approximately:
40% work full-time
while the remainder includes substantial part-time employment.
That matters when comparing salaries.
A job advertising A$40 per hour can still produce lower annual earnings if only a small number of weekly hours are available.
Always ask:
How many guaranteed hours are in the contract?
Residential Aged Care Jobs
Residential aged-care workers support people living in dedicated care facilities.
These workers can assist with:
- Personal care
- Mobility
- Meals
- Social activities
- Daily routines
- Documentation
- Emotional support
Residential facilities operate around the clock.
This creates:
- Morning shifts
- Afternoon shifts
- Night shifts
- Weekend shifts
- Public-holiday shifts
Home Care Jobs
Home-care workers travel to clients who continue living in their own homes.
Their duties can include:
- Personal care
- Meal preparation
- Household assistance
- Shopping
- Transport
- Companionship
- Mobility assistance
Workers may visit multiple clients during one day.
A driver’s licence can therefore be useful or required for some positions.
Personal Care Assistant Jobs
Personal Care Assistants provide direct support with everyday activities.
Potential duties include:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Grooming
- Toileting
- Mobility
- Eating
- Personal hygiene
This occupation is particularly relevant to international applicants because Personal Care Assistant is one of the occupations included in Australia’s Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement.
Nursing Support Worker Jobs
Nursing Support Workers provide limited patient care under the direction of nursing staff.
The occupation is also included in the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement.
Foreign applicants should distinguish nursing support work from becoming a Registered Nurse.
They have different:
- Qualifications
- Responsibilities
- Registration requirements
- Salary structures
Aged or Disabled Carer Jobs
Aged or Disabled Carer is another occupation included in the aged-care labour agreement.
Workers provide support to elderly people or people requiring assistance with daily activities.
The occupation can overlap with personal care and community support but has its own occupational classification.
Can Foreigners Get Aged Care Jobs in Australia?
Yes.
Foreign nationals can work in Australian aged care when they have:
- Appropriate qualifications and skills
- Legal work rights
- Suitable employment
- Required English ability
- Applicable visa
For employer-sponsored workers, the employer must also satisfy sponsorship or labour-agreement requirements.
Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement
Australia has a dedicated:
Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement
designed to help eligible aged-care providers sponsor overseas direct-care workers.
The agreement covers three occupations:
Aged or Disabled Carer
Nursing Support Worker
Personal Care Assistant
This makes aged care particularly important for foreign workers researching employer-sponsored healthcare opportunities in Australia.
Which Visas Can Be Used?
Under the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement, approved employers can sponsor overseas direct-care workers through:
Skills in Demand visa — subclass 482
and:
Employer Nomination Scheme — subclass 186
Eligibility requirements still apply.
The existence of the labour agreement does not guarantee sponsorship or visa approval.
Skills in Demand Visa — Subclass 482
The Skills in Demand visa allows eligible Australian employers to sponsor overseas workers for qualifying employment.
Applicants need to satisfy requirements involving factors such as:
- Occupation
- Skills
- Work experience
- English
- Employer nomination
- Health
- Character
The exact requirements depend on the stream and arrangement being used.
Aged Care Labour Agreement and Subclass 482
Eligible aged-care providers can use the labour agreement to nominate workers in the three direct-care occupations.
This can create a genuine pathway for overseas care workers.
But the employer must actually have access to the labour agreement.
A random residential-care facility advertising a vacancy does not automatically have authority to sponsor foreign workers through it.
Employer Nomination Scheme — Subclass 186
The Employer Nomination Scheme provides permanent employer-sponsored migration pathways.
The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement can allow approved employers to nominate eligible direct-care workers through subclass 186.
This makes aged care particularly interesting for foreign workers considering long-term settlement.
However:
a permanent visa is never automatic.
The worker and employer must satisfy the applicable requirements.
English Requirements
Foreign aged-care workers need functional workplace communication.
Workers communicate with:
- Elderly clients
- Families
- Nurses
- Doctors
- Supervisors
- Other carers
English requirements also apply under relevant immigration arrangements.
Australia’s current aged-care labour-agreement guidance states that overseas workers must meet the English requirements applicable to the Skills in Demand visa Core Skills stream.
Qualifications for Aged Care Jobs
Many Australian aged-care positions prefer or require vocational qualifications.
A commonly requested qualification is:
Certificate III in Individual Support
with an appropriate ageing or disability focus depending on the role.
Higher or specialised positions can require additional qualifications.
Foreign qualifications may need to be assessed for equivalence or suitability.
Do You Need a University Degree?
Usually not for ordinary personal-care and aged-care support positions.
This is one reason aged care attracts international interest.
The sector includes vocational careers that do not require a bachelor’s degree.
However:
no university degree does not mean no training.
Employers still need workers who can safely support vulnerable people.
Do You Need Experience?
Experience can strengthen an application considerably.
Useful experience includes:
- Elderly care
- Home care
- Disability support
- Hospital support
- Personal care
- Nursing assistance
- Community support
Formal employment references can be especially valuable for immigration and recruitment.
Police Checks
Aged-care workers can be subject to screening and suitability requirements because they work with vulnerable people.
Applicants should expect employers to verify their background.
Never submit fake police certificates or employment references.
Vaccination and Health Requirements
Healthcare employers can have health and vaccination policies depending on:
- Role
- State
- Facility
- Current health regulations
Check the current employer requirements before starting work.
Aged Care Jobs in Sydney
Sydney has a large population and extensive healthcare infrastructure.
Aged-care employment exists across:
- Residential facilities
- Home care
- Community organisations
However, Sydney has high housing costs.
A high hourly wage does not necessarily translate into high savings if rent consumes a large part of income.
Aged Care Jobs in Melbourne
Melbourne has a substantial aged-care and community-care workforce.
Workers can find employment across:
- Residential facilities
- Home care
- Community support
- Health organisations
As with Sydney, compare salary against rent and transport.
Aged Care Jobs in Brisbane
Brisbane and surrounding Queensland communities provide aged-care opportunities.
Housing can differ significantly by suburb and location.
Foreign workers should consider positions beyond the city centre.
Aged Care Jobs in Perth
Western Australia provides opportunities across healthcare and aged care.
Perth can be particularly interesting to applicants willing to consider employers experiencing workforce shortages.
Regional Australia
Do not ignore regional communities.
Aged-care facilities operate throughout Australia, including areas outside the largest cities.
Some regional employers can experience greater recruitment difficulties.
Australia also has separate regional migration mechanisms that can be relevant depending on the occupation and employer.
Is Regional Australia Better for Foreign Workers?
Not automatically.
But expanding your search can increase the number of employers you can approach.
Compare:
- Salary
- Housing
- Transport
- Employer sponsorship
- Working hours
- Community
- Immigration pathway
before choosing a location.
How to Find Aged Care Employers
Search terms can include:
- Aged care jobs Australia
- Personal care assistant Australia
- Nursing support worker Australia
- Aged or disabled carer Australia
- Residential aged care jobs
- Home care worker Australia
- Aged care sponsorship jobs Australia
- Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement employer
Prioritise genuine employers over unknown recruitment pages.
Check Whether Sponsorship Is Real
When an advertisement claims visa sponsorship, ask:
- What visa pathway is being offered?
- Is the employer the actual sponsor?
- Is the occupation eligible?
- Is the employer using the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement?
- What salary and guaranteed hours are in the contract?
- What qualifications are required?
A legitimate employer should be able to explain the employment arrangement.
Australia Is Prioritising Healthcare Skilled Visa Processing
From 25 July 2026, Australia’s updated skilled-visa processing priorities give healthcare occupations priority after occupations supporting law-enforcement and defence interests.
This does not guarantee fast approval.
It does demonstrate the importance placed on healthcare within Australia’s current skilled-migration processing framework.
Choose your destination and preferred entry route, then tell us how far you have progressed.
Timeline results are planning estimates only and are not a guarantee of visa approval or travel date.
Use this calculator only as a planning estimate. Actual recruitment, nomination and Australian visa processing times vary and are not guaranteed.
Documents You May Need
Foreign aged-care applicants can need:
- Passport
- CV
- Qualification certificates
- Training transcripts
- Employment references
- Police certificates
- English-language evidence
- Skills-related documents
- Employment contract
- Employer nomination information
- Health examination results where required
The exact documents depend on the visa and occupation.
How to Improve Your Chances
Get Relevant Training
A recognised aged-care or individual-support qualification can make you more employable.
Build Experience
Practical care experience is extremely valuable.
Improve Your English
Strong communication helps both recruitment and immigration.
Prepare Good References
Ask previous employers to clearly document:
- Position
- Duties
- Employment dates
- Hours
- Supervisor details
Apply to Genuine Providers
Target actual aged-care providers and established organisations.
Consider Regional Locations
Do not limit yourself to Sydney and Melbourne.
Aged Care Job Scams
Foreign applicants should be particularly careful because aged-care sponsorship attracts immigration scams.
Red flags include:
“Guaranteed Australian aged care visa.”
“Pay A$15,000 and receive sponsorship.”
“No experience, no English, permanent residence guaranteed.”
“Buy our Certificate III and receive automatic sponsorship.”
“Pay for a job offer.”
A legitimate employer can recruit foreign workers, but nobody can guarantee a visa decision.
Never Pay for a Fake Job Offer
An employment contract should represent genuine employment.
Do not purchase:
- Job letters
- Employment references
- Sponsorship documents
- Skills certificates
- Visa approvals
Fraud can lead to visa refusal and serious future immigration problems.
Aged Care vs Disability Support
The occupations overlap but are not identical.
Aged care primarily supports older people.
Disability support focuses on people living with disabilities.
Importantly, Australia’s Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement applies to overseas direct-care workers employed in the aged-care sector.
Government guidance specifically states that disability-sector employers cannot access that agreement and should investigate alternatives such as an applicable DAMA where available.
Aged Care vs Nursing
Aged-care workers and nurses can work together, but their professional responsibilities differ.
Registered Nurses have:
- Nursing qualifications
- Professional registration
- Greater clinical responsibilities
Aged-care support workers generally focus more on:
- Personal care
- Daily living
- Mobility
- Companionship
- Support activities
You do not need to become a Registered Nurse to build a career in aged care.
Aged Care vs Healthcare Assistant
“Healthcare assistant” can be used broadly.
For Australian immigration purposes, the exact occupation matters much more than the informal job title.
A vacancy could correspond to:
- Personal Care Assistant
- Nursing Support Worker
- Aged or Disabled Carer
- Another occupation
Always identify the occupational classification before planning a visa application.
Can Aged Care Lead to Permanent Residence?
Potentially.
Australia’s Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement provides access to both:
- Subclass 482 temporary employer-sponsored visas
- Subclass 186 permanent employer-sponsored visas
But eligibility is individual.
Aged-care employment itself does not automatically produce permanent residence.
Is Aged Care a Good Career in Australia?
For the right worker, it can be.
Advantages can include:
- Large healthcare sector
- Meaningful work
- Flexible employment
- Career progression
- Employer-sponsored opportunities
- Potential permanent pathways for eligible workers
- Shift and penalty-rate opportunities
Challenges include:
- Physically demanding work
- Emotional demands
- Shift work
- Weekend work
- Personal-care responsibilities
Applicants should understand both sides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners work in aged care in Australia?
Yes, if they have appropriate work rights or qualify for an applicable employer-sponsored pathway.
How much do aged-care workers earn?
Jobs and Skills Australia currently reports median full-time earnings of approximately A$1,761 per week and median hourly earnings of approximately A$46 for Aged and Disabled Carers.
Is that A$91,572 per year?
A$1,761 multiplied by 52 equals A$91,572. This is a simple annualisation of the median full-time weekly figure, not a guaranteed annual salary.
Does Australia sponsor foreign aged-care workers?
Eligible aged-care employers can sponsor certain overseas direct-care workers through the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement.
Which aged-care occupations are included?
The agreement covers Aged or Disabled Carer, Nursing Support Worker and Personal Care Assistant.
Which visas can employers use?
The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement provides access to the Skills in Demand visa subclass 482 and Employer Nomination Scheme subclass 186 for eligible nominations.
Do I need a university degree?
Ordinary aged-care support positions generally use vocational rather than university qualifications.
Is Certificate III useful?
Yes. Certificate III in Individual Support or relevant equivalent training is commonly associated with Australian personal-care and support employment.
Can disability-support workers use the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement?
The government states that disability-sector employers cannot access this aged-care agreement. Other immigration mechanisms may need to be considered.
Can aged care lead to PR?
Potentially through an eligible employer-sponsored permanent pathway such as subclass 186 under the labour-agreement framework. It is not automatic.
Final Thoughts
Aged care is one of the most important Healthcare & Support occupations for foreign workers considering Australia.
Current occupational data shows median full-time earnings for Aged and Disabled Carers of:
A$1,761 per week
with median hourly earnings around:
A$46 per hour.
Australia also has something particularly significant for international applicants:
a dedicated Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement.
Eligible providers can use it to sponsor overseas workers in three direct-care occupations:
Aged or Disabled Carer
Nursing Support Worker
and:
Personal Care Assistant.
This makes aged care different from many support occupations where employer-sponsored immigration can be considerably less straightforward.
Still, foreign applicants should never assume that every care vacancy includes sponsorship.
Verify the employer, occupation, salary, working hours and immigration route before making financial commitments.
For a broader overview, read A$60,000+ Healthcare & Support Jobs in Australia for Foreign Workers and Caregiver Jobs in Australia for Foreign Workers: Salary & Requirements.
The next articles in this cluster can cover Disability Support Worker Jobs in Australia for Foreign Workers, Registered Nurse Jobs in Australia for Foreign Workers, and Personal Care Assistant Jobs in Australia With Visa Sponsorship.
MimBlog is an independent information website and is not a recruitment agency, employer, immigration authority or government agency. Salaries are estimates and may vary by employer, experience and location. Job availability and immigration requirements can change. Always verify vacancies, eligibility and visa requirements through employers and official government sources.
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