Australia’s aged care sector continues to face severe workforce shortages. In response, the Australian Government introduced the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement (ILA) — a specialised migration pathway that allows aged care providers to sponsor much-needed direct care workers from overseas.
What Is the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement?
The Aged Care ILA allows sponsorship of in-demand occupations that are not featured on the standard Core Skilled Occupation List or Regional Occupation List, including:
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Nursing Support Workers (including Assistants in Nursing)
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Personal Care Assistants
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Aged or Disabled Carers
Without this agreement, employers would face challenges under standard visa streams such as the Specialist Skills Pathway, which includes prohibitive salary thresholds and narrow occupation eligibility.
Key Benefits for Aged Care Employers
Access to High-Demand Occupations
The Aged Care ILA gives providers access to sponsor workers for roles excluded from mainstream skilled visa programs — closing the gap on critical labour shortages in residential and home care settings.
Reduced Salary Thresholds
A major advantage of the ILA is the lower salary requirement:
| Visa Pathway | Minimum Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Aged Care ILA | $51,222 |
| Core Skills Income Threshold (CSMIT) | $76,515 |
| Specialist Skills Pathway | $141,210 |
This allows aged care providers to remain competitive in a tight labour market.
Flexible English Language Requirements
The ILA includes concessions on English testing for visa applicants:
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482 Visa: IELTS overall 5.0, with a 0.5 concession in reading and writing
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Culturally diverse service providers: IELTS overall 4.5 if fluent in target community language
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186 Visa: IELTS 5.5 overall, no minimum component score
Simplified Qualification and Experience Requirements
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No formal experience required for the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
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AQF Certificate III (or equivalent) is generally expected
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One year of relevant experience may substitute for formal qualifications
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Skills assessment may be needed for overseas qualifications
Union MoU: A Mandatory Step for Sponsorship
To access the Aged Care ILA, employers must secure a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a relevant union such as:
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Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (ANMF)
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Health Services Union (HSU)
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United Workers Union (UWU)
The MoU also satisfies labour market testing obligations with the Department of Home Affairs, simplifying your sponsorship process.
Why Use the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement?
The Aged Care ILA is a strategic solution for employers addressing staff shortages in aged and disability care. With lower costs, wider role eligibility, and flexible visa conditions, the agreement empowers providers to build a sustainable and compliant workforce.
How NB Migration Law Can Help
At NB Migration Law, we assist aged care providers with:
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Assessing eligibility
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Preparing and lodging ILA applications
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Drafting and negotiating Union MoUs
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Managing visa applications under Subclass 482 and 186
Contact us today to explore how the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement can future-proof your business and ensure uninterrupted quality care for your clients.