Australia has a growing aged care sector that provides residential care, home support, personal assistance, and other services for older people. Aged care providers rely on support workers and other direct care staff to help residents maintain their daily routines, independence, comfort, and quality of life.
Aged Care Support Worker Jobs in Australia with Visa Sponsorship 2026 may interest overseas workers with experience in aged care, personal care, nursing support, disability care, or community services. Roles can include personal care assistants, aged or disabled carers, nursing support workers, and other direct care positions.
Australia has an Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement that allows approved employers to sponsor overseas workers in specific direct-care occupations, including Aged or Disabled Carer, Nursing Support Worker, and Personal Care Assistant. The available visa pathways under the agreement include the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186).
Visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for every aged care vacancy. Applicants need to meet the requirements of the relevant visa, occupation, employer, and labour agreement.
Job Overview
Aged care support workers assist older people with personal care and everyday activities. Duties vary depending on the workplace, resident needs, and position.
Job Title: Aged Care Support Worker / Personal Care Assistant / Nursing Support Worker / Aged or Disabled Carer
Country: Australia
Job Type: Full-Time / Part-Time / Permanent / Contract, depending on the employer
Experience Required: Varies by position; relevant aged care or care experience may be preferred
Education Required: Depends on the role and employer
Visa Sponsorship: May be available through eligible employers and approved visa pathways
Work Locations: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, regional areas, and other locations across Australia
Salary: Depends on the award, classification, employer, experience, location, shifts, and employment arrangement
Some employers may offer training, penalty rates, career development, and other workplace benefits.
Why Aged Care Workers Are Needed in Australia
Australia’s aged care sector provides support to an ageing population through residential facilities, home care services, and community-based programs. This creates ongoing demand for people who can provide safe and respectful assistance to older Australians.
Aged care workers can work in nursing homes, residential aged care facilities, home care services, retirement communities, and other care environments.
The work can also provide different career pathways. Workers may begin in personal care or support positions and later develop skills for senior support, care coordination, nursing, or other health and community service roles.
However, overseas applicants should check the exact occupation and immigration requirements before applying because not every care position has the same sponsorship options.
Types of Aged Care Support Jobs Available
Personal Care Assistant
Personal care assistants help residents with everyday personal needs. This can include bathing, dressing, grooming, mobility, meals, and other daily activities.
Nursing Support Worker
Nursing support workers provide limited patient care under the direction of nursing staff. The role can involve assisting with personal care, mobility, observations, and daily routines.
Aged or Disabled Carer
Aged or disabled carers support people with daily activities and help them maintain independence, comfort, and dignity.
Home Care Worker
Home care workers assist older people in their own homes. Duties may include personal care, meal preparation, household assistance, shopping, and companionship.
Senior Care Worker
Experienced workers may take on additional responsibilities, such as supporting newer employees, communicating with supervisors, and helping coordinate daily care activities.
Job Responsibilities
Aged care support workers may be expected to:
- Assist residents with personal hygiene
- Help with dressing and grooming
- Support mobility and transfers
- Assist with meals
- Provide companionship
- Follow individual care plans
- Monitor changes in a resident’s condition
- Report concerns to supervisors or nurses
- Maintain accurate care records
- Help residents with daily activities
- Support medication routines as permitted by their role
- Maintain a clean and safe environment
- Respect privacy and dignity
- Follow workplace health and safety procedures
- Communicate with residents, families, nurses, and other staff
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Salary and Employee Benefits
Aged care wages in Australia vary according to the applicable award or enterprise agreement, classification, experience, employment arrangement, and shift. The Fair Work Ombudsman confirms that the Aged Care Award covers eligible employees working in residential aged care settings, including personal care workers.
Award wages and conditions can also include penalty rates and allowances. The Fair Work Ombudsman notes that minimum award wages increased by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, although the exact rate depends on the applicable award and classification.
Potential benefits may include:
- Regular wages
- Penalty rates for eligible shifts
- Paid annual leave
- Paid personal leave
- Training
- Professional development
- Superannuation
- Career progression opportunities
- Employee assistance programs
Benefits vary between employers, so applicants should check the employment contract and applicable award or agreement.
Visa Sponsorship Process
The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement provides a specific mechanism for approved employers to sponsor overseas direct-care workers in eligible occupations. It currently covers Aged or Disabled Carer, Nursing Support Worker, and Personal Care Assistant positions.
The process may generally involve:
Step 1: Find an Aged Care Job
Search aged care providers, residential care facilities, home care organisations, and reputable recruitment platforms.
Step 2: Check the Employer
Confirm that the employer can sponsor overseas workers under an appropriate arrangement.
Step 3: Check the Occupation
Make sure the vacancy matches an eligible occupation and that you meet the required skills and qualifications.
Step 4: Prepare Your CV
Create a care-focused CV showing your experience, qualifications, training, and personal care skills.
Step 5: Apply for the Position
Apply through the employer’s official careers page or a reputable recruitment agency.
Step 6: Attend an Interview
Employers may ask about personal care, communication, dementia support, mobility assistance, teamwork, safety, and handling difficult situations.
Step 7: Receive a Job Offer
If selected, carefully review the employment agreement, salary, hours, duties, location, and other conditions.
Step 8: Employer Completes Sponsorship Requirements
The employer must meet the requirements of the relevant labour agreement and nomination process before the worker can proceed with the appropriate visa application.
Step 9: Apply for the Visa
Eligible applicants may be able to apply through the Skills in Demand visa subclass 482 or, where applicable, the Employer Nomination Scheme visa subclass 186 under the aged care labour agreement.
Step 10: Travel to Australia
After receiving the necessary visa approval, arrange travel and accommodation and prepare to begin employment according to the visa and employment conditions.
Requirements for Aged Care Jobs
Requirements vary by occupation and employer, but applicants may generally need:
- Relevant aged care experience
- Personal care experience
- Relevant qualifications or training
- Good communication skills
- Compassion and patience
- Ability to work with older people
- Teamwork skills
- Physical ability to perform required duties
- Good record-keeping skills
- Understanding of health and safety procedures
- English language ability where required
- Valid passport
- Genuine employment offer
- Appropriate visa eligibility
Some positions may require specific qualifications or checks before employment can begin. Applicants should check the exact requirements listed in the vacancy and the applicable visa pathway.
Skills That Can Improve Your Chances
Applicants can strengthen their CV by highlighting experience in:
- Personal care
- Residential aged care
- Home care
- Dementia support
- Mobility assistance
- Meal assistance
- Medication support
- Patient communication
- Care planning
- Infection control
- Manual handling
- First aid
- Disability support
- Behaviour support
- Record keeping
Good English communication is particularly useful because support workers regularly communicate with residents, families, nurses, supervisors, and other healthcare professionals.
Working Conditions
Aged care support work can be physically and emotionally demanding. Workers may spend much of their shift standing, walking, assisting residents, transferring people, and helping with personal care.
Shift work is common in residential aged care because residents require support throughout the day and night. Employees may work mornings, evenings, weekends, public holidays, or overnight shifts depending on the facility.
Workers must respect residents’ privacy, dignity, cultural preferences, and individual needs. Patience and professional communication are important parts of the job.
Advantages of Working in Australian Aged Care
A career in aged care can provide overseas workers with valuable experience in Australia’s health and community services sector.
Potential advantages include:
- Australian work experience
- Training opportunities
- Stable career pathways
- Professional development
- Experience in residential and home care
- Opportunities to develop specialist care skills
- Potential employer-sponsored visa pathways
- Opportunities for career progression
With additional education and experience, some workers may progress into senior care, care coordination, nursing, or other healthcare-related roles, subject to the required qualifications.
How to Apply
If you are interested in Aged Care Support Worker Jobs in Australia with Visa Sponsorship 2026, follow these steps:
- Prepare an updated aged care CV.
- Highlight your personal care and support experience.
- List relevant qualifications and certificates.
- Mention your experience with elderly or vulnerable people.
- Include relevant first aid and care training.
- Search legitimate Australian aged care employers.
- Check whether the employer offers overseas sponsorship.
- Confirm that the occupation is eligible under the relevant visa pathway.
- Apply through the employer’s official recruitment channel.
- Prepare for an online interview.
- Review the employment agreement carefully.
- Confirm salary, working hours, duties, location, and benefits.
- Complete the required sponsorship and visa process.
- Travel only after receiving the necessary immigration approval.
- Click Apply Now to get started
Applicants should be careful about recruitment scams. A genuine employer should provide clear information about the position, employment conditions, and sponsorship arrangements. Do not pay large sums to someone who promises a guaranteed Australian job or visa.
Final Thoughts
Aged Care Support Worker Jobs in Australia with Visa Sponsorship 2026 can provide opportunities for experienced overseas care workers who want to build a career in Australia’s aged care sector.
The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement is particularly relevant because it allows eligible approved employers to sponsor overseas workers in occupations such as Personal Care Assistant, Nursing Support Worker, and Aged or Disabled Carer.
Applicants should make sure they have the right experience, qualifications, English ability, and documentation for the position they are targeting. They should also verify the employer and understand the relevant visa requirements before accepting an offer.
Australian immigration and employment rules can change. Before applying, check the latest information from the Australian Department of Home Affairs and Fair Work Ombudsman, including the current visa conditions, labour agreement requirements, award classification, wages, and employment rights.