Streamline Your Recruitment with the New Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement

Streamline Your Recruitment with the New Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement

As an Australian aged care provider, staying ahead in the industry means adapting to new opportunities and regulatory changes. This update, effective from May 5, 2023, introduced the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement (ILA), designed to help you tackle the critical workforce shortages by simplifying the recruitment and sponsorship of experienced direct care workers from overseas.

 

What is the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement?

The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement is a government initiative aimed at addressing workforce gaps within the aged care sector. This agreement facilitates the recruitment of skilled overseas workers for roles that may not meet the standard skill and salary criteria for traditional skilled migration programs. It provides a pathway for sponsoring workers for the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa and the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa in key direct care occupations.

 

Key Occupations for Sponsorship

The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement allows for the sponsorship of overseas workers in the following ANZSCO roles:

 

• Nursing Support Worker (ANZSCO 423312)
• Personal Care Assistant (ANZSCO 423313)
• Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111)

 

The process to access this Labour Agreement involves three essential steps:

 

1. Negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU):
   • Enter into an MoU with one of the relevant unions: Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), Health Services Union (HSU), or United Workers Union (UWU). This step includes labour market testing to ensure local recruitment efforts have been exhausted.
2. Request Access to the Aged Care ILA:
   • Submit a request to the Department of Home Affairs, who will assess the MoU and determine if the Labour Agreement can be granted.
3. Submit Nomination and Visa Application:
   • Once approved, nominate overseas workers for the subclass 482 or subclass 186 visas. Applications under this Labour Agreement are prioritized and receives streamlined access. 

 

Concessions and Requirements

 

Concessions:

• English Language Proficiency: Minimum IELTS score of 5.0 overall, with some flexibility for culturally diverse providers.
• Salary: At least AUD 51,222 or the market salary rate, whichever is higher.
• Permanent Residence: Available after two years of full-time work in Australia.
• Skills and Qualifications: Relevant AQF Certificate III or equivalent, or 12 months of relevant work experience.
• Skills Assessment: Required if qualifications were obtained overseas or if work experience is claimed in lieu of qualifications. Assessments are conducted by ANMAC and ACWA.
• Age: Applicants must be under 45 years of age for the ENS subclass 186 visa.

 

Visa Application Requirements:

• Subclass 482: Relevant AQF Certificate III or equivalent, or higher; 12 months of full-time or part-time equivalent work experience; and a positive skills assessment if qualifications are from overseas.
• Subclass 186: At least two years of relevant work experience in Australia; must be under 45 years old; and an IELTS score of 5.5 or equivalent.

 

How Y-Axis Can Help

With over 25 years of experience, Y-Axis is your trusted partner in navigating the complexities of the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement. Here’s how we can support you:

 

• Identify and Recruit Top Talent: We have access to a global pool of qualified healthcare professionals, including those with specialized skills in direct care roles.
• Handle Immigration Paperwork: Our team manages all the intricate immigration processes, ensuring a smooth transition for your new employees.
• Assist with the Labour Agreement: We help you leverage the new immigration stream to efficiently recruit, retain, and sponsor staff in support-care roles.

For aged care providers, this agreement presents a unique opportunity to address staffing challenges and enhance service delivery. If you’re an aged care provider seeking to hire or retain new talent, or an employee interested in these pathways, we can assist you through every step of the process.