Aged Care Jobs in Australia 2026: Visa Pathways, Training Options and PR Opportunities for International Workers

Australia’s aged care sector is entering one of the most critical phases in its history. With an ageing population, expanded home-care funding, and workforce shortages across residential and community care, aged care has become a national priority sector for migration, training, and long-term workforce planning.

For international workers, this creates genuine, structured opportunities – not just for employment, but also for long-term residency pathways through skilled, regional, and employer-sponsored visas.

In 2026, aged care roles are expected to remain among the most in-demand occupations across Australia, supported by policy reforms, funding commitments, and migration settings that actively encourage international participation.

With 190,000+ successful migration journeys, Aussizz Group explains how international workers can enter Australia’s aged care sector, the visa pathways available, training options, and how to build a sustainable PR strategy in 2026.

Why Australia’s Aged Care Sector Will Continue to Depend on International Workers?

Australia’s demographic shift is irreversible. The proportion of Australians aged 65 and over continues to rise, increasing demand for:

• Residential aged care
• Home and community care
• Disability and support services
• Palliative and dementia care

At the same time, domestic workforce supply has not kept pace with demand due to:

• High attrition rates
• Physically and emotionally demanding roles
• Rapid expansion of services under government reforms

As a result, international workers have become essential to maintaining aged care services nationwide.

This dependency is reflected in:

• Skilled occupation lists
• Employer sponsorship programs
• Regional migration incentives
• Training and upskilling initiatives

Key Aged Care Occupations in Demand in 2026

Australia’s aged care workforce spans both clinical and non-clinical roles, creating multiple entry points for international workers with different backgrounds.

High-demand roles include:

• Registered Nurses (Aged Care)
• Enrolled Nurses
• Aged Care Workers
• Personal Care Assistants
• Disability Support Workers
• Community Care Workers
• Care Service Managers
• Nurse Practitioners (Aged Care specialisation)

These roles are critical across metropolitan, regional and remote Australia, with strong regional demand continuing into 2026.

Visa Pathways for International Workers in Aged Care (2026 Outlook)

Australia offers multiple visa pathways that allow international workers to enter and progress within the aged care sector. Each pathway serves a different profile and career stage.

Employer Sponsorship Visas: A Direct Route Into Aged Care Employment

Employer-sponsored visas remain one of the most common entry points for aged care workers.

Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482 / SID stream)

This visa allows approved employers to sponsor skilled aged care professionals where local workers are unavailable.

In aged care, this pathway is commonly used for:

• Registered Nurses
• Enrolled Nurses
• Nursing Support Worker
• Personal Care Assistant
• Age and Disability Care

Note: If your occupation is not on CSOL, MLTSSL, or any other skilled occupation lists, you are still eligible for the 186 pathway if you are on Labour Agreement and DAMA

The 482 visa allows workers to:

• Live and work in Australia
• Gain local experience
• Progress toward permanent residency through ENS pathways

Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186): PR for Sponsored Aged Care Workers

For workers already employed under sponsorship, Subclass 186 offers a permanent residency pathway through two different pathways:

• TRT
• Direct Entry

Aged care employers frequently use this pathway to:

• Retain experienced staff
• Ensure workforce stability
• Meet long-term service needs

This pathway is particularly relevant for nurses and senior care professionals.

State Nomination Pathways for Aged Care Workers

State and regional governments actively nominate aged care workers due to persistent shortages.

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

This permanent visa is available to skilled aged care professionals nominated by a state government. It is commonly used for:

• Registered Nurses
• Allied health professionals
• Senior care managers

Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

The 491 visa remains one of the most accessible pathways for aged care workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.

This visa:

• Encourages regional settlement
• Provides a clear PR pathway via Subclass 191
• Is widely used for aged care roles outside major cities

Indicative State-Wise Aged Care Shortage Outlook (2026)

Note: This table reflects indicative trends, not official shortage rankings. Demand levels are inferred from nomination behaviour, employer sponsorship activity and workforce patterns observed through Aussizz Group cases and public migration settings.

Training Pathways: How International Workers Can Enter Aged Care?

For those without prior aged care qualifications, Australia offers structured training pathways that lead to employment and long-term migration options.

Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)

This is the most common entry-level qualification for aged care workers.

It:

• Provides practical, job-ready skills
• Includes mandatory work placement
• Is widely recognised by aged care employers

Many international students and temporary visa holders use this qualification to transition into the aged care workforce.

Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled Nurse Pathway)

This qualification leads to registration as an Enrolled Nurse and significantly improves:

• Salary prospects
• Sponsorship eligibility
• PR competitiveness

Bachelor of Nursing

For those pursuing Registered Nurse roles, this pathway offers:

• High employability
• Strong state and employer sponsorship demand
• Clear PR pathways

Why Aged Care Is Strongly Linked to Permanent Residency in 2026?

Unlike many other sectors, aged care offers long-term migration stability because:

• Demand is structural, not cyclical
• Roles exist nationwide
• Services are government-funded
• Workforce shortages are chronic

This makes aged care one of the most PR-friendly sectors in Australia’s migration framework.

Work Hours, Experience and Genuineness in Aged Care Visas

Aged care migration pathways emphasise genuine employment, not just qualifications.

Key expectations include:

• Ongoing paid employment
• Relevant duties aligned with occupation
• Sufficient work hours (full-time or equivalent)
• Clear employer documentation

These principles align with the Department of Home Affairs’ focus on workforce integrity and genuine skill contribution.

Salary Trends in Aged Care Roles (Indicative, Not Prescriptive)

While there are no fixed salary thresholds for migration, observed outcomes show that successful aged care applications often involve market-aligned remuneration.

Indicative salary ranges in aged care include:

These figures are observational and vary by location, experience and employer.

Understanding Aged Care as a Migration Strategy

Aged care is not a short-term job choice – it is a long-term workforce solution for Australia.

Migrants who understand this align better with:

• Employer expectations
• State nomination priorities
• PR pathways

Aged Care vs Other Popular Migration Sectors

Aged care consistently offers predictability and demand, even during economic slowdowns.

How International Workers Can Strengthen Their Aged Care Profile?

Successful candidates often:

• Obtain recognised Australian qualifications
• Gain local work experience
• Improve English proficiency
• Choose regional locations
• Build long-term employer relationships

These steps significantly improve sponsorship and PR outcomes.

Turning Aged Care Employment Into Permanent Residency

Aged care workers often follow a progression:

• Training or entry-level role
• Employer sponsorship or state nomination
• Permanent residency through 186, 190 or 191

With the right planning, aged care becomes one of the clearest PR pathways in Australia.

FAQs

Q1. Can international workers get PR through aged care in Australia?

Yes. Aged care offers multiple PR pathways through employer sponsorship, state nomination and regional migration programs, especially for nurses and experienced care workers.

Q2. Is aged care on Australia’s skilled occupation lists?

Yes. Many aged care roles consistently appear on skilled and priority occupation lists due to ongoing workforce shortages.

Q3. Do I need Australian qualifications to work in aged care?

For many roles, yes. Certificates, diplomas or degrees recognised in Australia significantly improve employability and migration outcomes.

Q4. Can international students work in aged care after studying?

Yes. Many international students transition into aged care roles after completing relevant qualifications and gaining work rights.

Q5. Is aged care suitable for long-term settlement in Australia?

Yes. The sector offers stable employment, nationwide demand and strong PR pathways, making it suitable for long-term settlement.

Final Perspective: Aged Care Is One of Australia’s Most Sustainable Migration Pathways

In 2026, Australia’s aged care sector stands out as a rare combination of job security, migration opportunity and social impact.

For international workers willing to train, work and contribute, aged care offers:

• Strong employment demand
• Structured visa pathways
• Long-term residency prospects
• Meaningful career progression

With 190,000+ successful applicants, Aussizz Group continues to guide international workers through aged care migration pathways – helping transform workforce demand into permanent Australian futures.