Sponsor Healthcare & Aged Care Workers in Australia
Struggling to find qualified aged care workers, nurses, or support staff? Here’s how sponsorship can solve your workforce shortage.
Australia’s healthcare and aged care sector is facing critical staff shortages, especially in regional areas and care-based roles. If you can’t find suitable local workers, employer sponsorship allows you to hire skilled overseas workers with potential pathways to permanent residency.
A guide for hospitality business owners
Why Healthcare & Aged Care Employers Are Struggling to Hire?
Labour Shortage
The construction industry makes up a significant portion of Australia's workforce, yet businesses are facing:
What you're facing?
Hospitality businesses across Australia are experiencing:
Shortage of aged care workers and nurses
High staff turnover and burnout
Increased demand due to ageing population
Difficulty hiring in regional areas
How it impacts your business?
This isn't just a hiring issue. It directly impacts:
Patient care quality
Staff workload
Compliance and operations
Expanding your hiring pool through employer sponsorship
Stop competing for staff who aren't there. Sponsor the chefs you can't find locally.
What Is Employer Sponsorship?
The Fundamentals
Employer sponsorship allows healthcare businesses to hire overseas workers when local talent is unavailable.
Aged care providers
Sponsor aged care workers and personal care assistants
Disability support organisations
Sponsor disability support workers
Hospitals and clinics
Sponsor registered and enrolled nurses
Community care providers
Sponsor community care workers
The role must be on Australia's Skilled Occupation Lists.
Which Healthcare Workers Can Be Sponsored?
Who You Can Sponsor
To sponsor a worker, the role must be on Australia's Skilled Occupation Lists or eligible under a labour agreement.
Common healthcare roles
Registered Nurses
High demand nationwide. Strong PR pathways.
Aged Care Workers / Personal Care Assistants
Can be sponsored through aged care labour agreements. One of the fastest growing pathways.
Other roles
Enrolled Nurses, Nursing Support Workers, Community Care Workers, Disability Support Workers.
Not eligible without special pathways
However, labour agreements can sometimes allow sponsorship for these roles.
Low skilled care roles without experience
Unqualified support staff
Main Visa Options for Healthcare Employers
Visa Options
Skills in Demand
SUBCLASS 482
Temporary solution
Fast hiring for urgent shortages
Temporary · fast
Employer Nomination Scheme
SUBCLASS 186
Permanent residency
Ideal for retaining long-term staff
Permanent
Regional Employers
SUBCLASS 494
For regional healthcare providers
Strong pathway to PR
Regional · PR pathway
DAMA
LABOUR AGREEMENT
Allows sponsorship of roles not normally eligible
Can support healthcare roles in some regional areas
Provides clear PR pathway for workers
Designed for aged care sector shortages which may provide concessions depending on agreement
This is one of the most powerful hiring tools in healthcare right now
Framework
What It Costs to Sponsor an Employee
Salary and Costs
Minimum salary (important)
subject to updates
$70K+
TSMIT (Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold)
Market salary rate
| Typical costs | Paid by the employer |
|---|---|
| Standard Business Sponsorship | ~$420 AUD |
| Nomination fee | $330–$540 AUD |
| SAF levy (small business) | ~$1,200/year AUD |
| SAF levy (larger business) | ~$1,800/year AUD |
| Visa costs often paid by applicant | Varies |
How Employer Sponsorship Works (Simple Breakdown)
Step by Step
Become an Approved Sponsor
Apply for Standard Business Sponsorship (valid up to 5 years)
Labour Agreement (if required)
For aged care roles: submit a business case, demonstrate staff shortages, show compliance with industry standards.
Nominate the Role
Ensure the role is genuine, the salary meets requirements, and the position cannot be filled locally.
Visa Application
The worker applies for the visa.
| Processing time | |
|---|---|
| 482 VISA | ~2–6 months |
| 186 VISA | longer processing |
| Labour Agreement | longer (case-by-case) |
Common Sponsorship Mistakes Hospitality Employers Make
Common Mistakes
- Not using labour agreements when needed
- Sponsoring incorrect occupations
- Failing compliance requirements
- Underestimating documentation requirements
These mistakes can lead to delays or refusals.
Regional Advantage
Benefits for Regional Hospitality Businesses
If your business is in a regional area:
Access to 494 visa
More flexible occupation options
Higher success rates
Stronger PR pathways
Why Many Hospitality Businesses Work with Migration Agents?
Why Use a Migration Agent
Healthcare sponsorship is one of the most complex areas in migration.
Many providers work with experts to:
- Navigate labour agreements
- Ensure compliance with strict regulations
- Avoid delays and refusals
- Build long-term workforce strategies
Pathway to Aus works with healthcare employers across Australia to manage the entire sponsorship process.
How Employers Benefit from Sponsoring Employees in Australia
In this video, Nick sits down with the owner of a company that Pathway to Aus has assisted with over 60+ employer sponsorship applications.GET IN TOUCH
In case of questions, feel free to reach out to one of our experienced Registered Migration Agents.
Contact details
Give us a call
Australia: +61 7 5526 5900
Fiji: +679 922 3842
United Kingdom: +44 20 3948 3865
Send an email
info@pathwaytoaus.com
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