Originally published: June 2023 | Last reviewed and updated: June 2026
Australia is facing a critical and growing shortage of aged care workers. A report by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) found that the country will require an additional 400,000 aged care workers by 2050, with at least 17,000 new direct care workers needed every year for the next decade to meet basic standards of care. As of 2025, the federal government confirmed that an additional 35,000 aged care personnel were required in that financial year alone, with projections showing a need for approximately 120,000 additional staff by 2035/36.
To address this shortage, the Australian Government introduced the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement (ACILA) in May 2023. This agreement creates a direct visa pathway for overseas direct care workers into the aged care sector, with priority processing and a two-year pathway to permanent residency. This guide explains how the ACILA works, which visa subclasses are involved, what the eligibility requirements are, and what aged care workers and employers need to know in 2026.
First Aged Care Labour Agreement:
The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement (ACILA) was introduced in May 2023 under the then Immigration Minister Andrew Giles. The first agreement was established with Curtin Heritage in Perth, reached after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Workers Union, with the aim of delivering 570 staff over a five-year period.
As of 2026, the current Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration is the Hon Tony Burke MP, who was sworn in on 13 May 2025. The ACILA framework has since expanded significantly, with multiple aged care providers across Australia now holding approved labour agreements.
The ACILA enables aged care providers to sponsor overseas workers in the following direct care occupations:
Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111)
Nursing Support Worker (ANZSCO 423312)
Personal Care Assistant (ANZSCO 423313)
These roles would not normally qualify for standard skilled migration programs due to their salary and skill level. The ACILA creates a specific pathway for these occupations that bypasses the standard Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) requirements.
Addressing Workforce Shortages:
How the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement Works
The ACILA follows a three-step process for employers:
Negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the relevant union (typically the United Workers Union for aged care employers)
Submit an ACILA access request to the Department of Home Affairs, which assesses the genuineness of the MoU before approving or refusing access
Once approved, the employer can submit nomination and visa applications for overseas workers under the Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) or Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa programs
Nomination and visa applications submitted under the ACILA are given the highest order of priority under Ministerial Direction No. 105, meaning they are processed ahead of most other skilled visa applications.
Visa Pathways Under the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement
Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) Visa
The Subclass 482 is the initial visa pathway under the ACILA. It allows aged care providers to sponsor overseas workers in the three eligible direct care occupations for up to four years. Key concessions under the ACILA compared to the standard Subclass 482 include:
Reduced English language requirements (lower than standard TSMIT stream requirements)
No post-qualification work experience required for the visa application
Salary concessions that allow wages below the standard TSMIT in certain circumstances, subject to the specific labour agreement terms
Skills assessment required for certain occupations (ANMAC for Nursing Support Worker and Personal Care Assistant; ACWA for Aged or Disabled Carer)
Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) Visa — Permanent Residency Pathway
After two years of full-time employment with the sponsoring aged care provider under the Subclass 482, workers become eligible to apply for permanent residency under the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (Direct Entry or Temporary Residence Transition stream). This represents the fastest and most direct PR pathway available for aged care workers in Australia. Key points:
Maximum age limit of 45 applies for the Subclass 186
Workers must remain with the sponsoring employer throughout the transition period
Priority processing applies to both the nomination and visa application stages
| Visa Stage | Visa Subclass | Duration | Priority Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial work visa | Subclass 482 (Labour Agreement stream) | Up to 4 years | Yes, highest priority |
| Permanent residency | Subclass 186 (ENS) | Permanent | Yes |
Industry Perspectives and Current Limitations
The ACILA has been welcomed by the aged care industry as a meaningful step toward addressing workforce shortages. However, uptake has been slower than anticipated. Data from the Department of Home Affairs indicates that in the two years following the ACILA’s introduction in May 2023, only 2,426 temporary migrants were sponsored under all labour agreements combined. Of those, approximately 90% were existing staff already in Australia, with only 10% of visas issued offshore.
Industry groups including CEDA and aged care providers have noted that the ACILA’s requirement for an employer-level MoU with a union creates an administrative barrier, particularly for smaller aged care providers. The government continues to rely on the ACILA as its primary mechanism for addressing care worker shortages, but sector advocates have called for broader reforms including direct government-to-government recruitment programs and expanded occupation lists.
Workforce Shortage Data and Projections
The scale of Australia’s aged care workforce shortage has been revised significantly upward since the ACILA was introduced. Key data points as of 2026:
Australia will require an estimated 400,000 additional aged care workers by 2050 (CEDA, Duty of Care report)
Approximately 120,000 additional staff will be needed by 2035/36, including nurses, nurse practitioners, and personal care aides
An additional 94,000 personal care workers specifically will be required by 2035
Aged and disability carers are projected to be Australia’s fastest growing occupation over the next decade
Approximately one in six personal care workers in the current aged care sector are on temporary visas, representing an estimated 70,000 workers
These projections underscore why priority visa processing for aged care occupations under Ministerial Direction No. 105 remains a critical policy setting.
How Augustine and Co. Can Assist Aged Care Providers and Workers
Whether you are an aged care provider seeking to access the ACILA for the first time or an overseas care worker exploring your visa and PR options, the process involves multiple steps and strict compliance requirements. Augustine and Co. Immigration Lawyers advises both aged care employers and overseas workers on:
Assessing whether your aged care facility qualifies to access the ACILA
Preparing and lodging the Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant union
Submitting ACILA access requests to the Department of Home Affairs
Preparing nomination applications under the Subclass 482 (Labour Agreement stream)
Managing the two-year transition to permanent residency under the Subclass 186
Skills assessment preparation with ANMAC or ACWA
For a broader overview of employer-sponsored permanent visa pathways, see our guide on the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme. For a full overview of all employer-sponsored visa services, visit our employer-sponsored visa services page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement (ACILA)?
The ACILA is a government initiative that allows aged care providers in Australia to sponsor overseas workers in direct care roles (Aged or Disabled Carer, Nursing Support Worker, and Personal Care Assistant) that would not normally qualify for standard skilled migration programs. It was introduced in May 2023 and provides both a temporary visa pathway (Subclass 482) and a two-year pathway to permanent residency (Subclass 186).
Q. What visas are available to overseas aged care workers in Australia?
Under the ACILA, overseas workers can be sponsored for the Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa for up to four years, followed by the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa for permanent residency after two years of full-time employment with the sponsoring provider.
Q. Does priority processing apply to aged care visa applications?
Yes. Nomination and visa applications submitted under the ACILA receive the highest order of priority under Ministerial Direction No. 105. Healthcare and care worker occupations (including ANZSCO 423111 Aged or Disabled Carer, 423312 Nursing Support Worker, and 423313 Personal Care Assistant) are specifically listed under the priority processing direction.
Q. What qualifications do I need to work in aged care in Australia under the ACILA?
You need either a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) or equivalent, or at least 12 months of relevant full-time work experience. No post-qualification work experience is required for the initial Subclass 482 visa application under the ACILA. A skills assessment with ANMAC or ACWA is required depending on your specific occupation.
Q. How long does it take to get permanent residency through the aged care pathway?
After being granted the Subclass 482 visa under the ACILA, you need to complete two years of full-time employment with your sponsoring aged care provider before applying for permanent residency under the Subclass 186. Total timeline from initial visa to PR grant is typically three to four years, including processing times.
Q. Who is the current Immigration Minister in Australia?
As of June 2026, the Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration is the Hon Tony Burke MP, who was sworn in on 13 May 2025. Andrew Giles, who was the Immigration Minister when the ACILA was first introduced in 2023, is now the Minister for Skills and Training.
Conclusion:
The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement represents the most accessible visa and permanent residency pathway currently available for direct care workers in Australia. With the aged care workforce shortage projected to reach 400,000 workers by 2050, the ACILA is likely to remain a central pillar of Australia’s skilled migration response to the sector for years to come.
For aged care providers looking to access the ACILA for the first time, and for overseas workers seeking to understand their options under this pathway, the process involves strict eligibility and documentation requirements at every stage. Augustine and Co. Immigration Lawyers can assist with every step of the process, from initial ACILA access requests through to permanent residency applications.
Contact our team to discuss your aged care visa options. For related reading, see our guide on the general skilled migration program and our overview of employer-sponsored permanent visas.
Author
Calvin Augustine is the founding solicitor of Augustine & Co. Immigration Lawyers. He graduated with Honors from the University of London law school, before being admitted to practice in Malaysia and Australia (admitted in SA, appears in all Victorian Courts and Tribunals, at trial and appellate levels).
