The visa cuts to Student Visas and Graduate Visas will certainly impact Australia’s care sector. It will be harder to get care services for the loved ones of Australians.
I deal with employers daily across Aged Care, Disability Care and Child Care, and I see how much they rely on carers and support workers. Visa cuts are not the only reason for the care worker shortage. We also need a simpler ‘Carer Visa’, rather than the complicated and fractured approach we have now.
Aged care providers and an economic think tank are now calling for exactly that, as reported by the ABC this week.
Carer visa Australia: visa pathways for aged care, disability care and child care
Is there a Carer Visa in Australia? No. Aged and disabled carer, which covers care workers and support workers, is one combined occupation. Unfortunately, there is not a single Carer Visa that covers both aged care and disability care. For aged care and disability care, the pathway depends on the role and on where the employer is located.
Child care is different again. Child care workers are on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and can apply for the Subclass 482 and Subclass 186 visas.
| Role | Visa pathway |
|---|---|
| Aged care worker | Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement (ACILA) |
| Child care worker (on the CSOL) | Subclass 482 and Subclass 186 visas |
| Disability carer in some regional areas | Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) |
| Disability carer in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and other non-DAMA areas | Company Specific Labour Agreement |
Notes on the table
DAMA areas are definitely not Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. There are also other gaps around Australia where there are no DAMAs. This currently includes all of Tasmania, some areas of New South Wales that are not covered by the Orana DAMA, and much of Queensland.
A Company Specific Labour Agreement is the main way to get disability carers in areas that are not covered by a DAMA. Each company has to enter into its own agreement individually.
Visa cuts, migration policy and the care worker shortage
Skilled migration policy: high-paid roles first
The dominant policy approach from the federal government is to favour high-paid skilled roles for migration. The main justification is that these migrants contribute more taxable income to the Australian government over their lifetime. This is being driven by reports from the Grattan Institute that immigration should be based on how much tax each person can bring in.
Used in isolation, this approach can be very detrimental to the Australian economy. It can also hurt Australian services in key areas, including healthcare and childcare.
I suggest it needs to be balanced with a needs-driven or demand-driven approach. That means looking at the shortages being experienced in important sectors. There still needs to be a place in the immigration system for visas for people doing important jobs that other people don’t want to do, including working in care.
Demand-driven migration: important roles that are not highly paid
In Australia, there are roles which are hard to fill from the existing local labour market. For example, aged care and disability support work are not highly paid areas, but they are very important for providing services to Australian citizens.
Another example that could be damaging to the economy is workers who do the work in abattoirs. These roles are very commonly done by visa holders, and there is not a large number of Australian citizens and permanent residents lining up to do this work. It is also essential that we have people who can do it, so that fresh meat is available in our supermarkets. It is a very important industry and part of our agricultural production.
So an alternative reason for Australia to have work visas is to meet the needs of Australian industries and Australian society in relation to critical services. There are a number of roles which are not highly paid but which are very important. This needs-driven or demand-driven model is often currently met by employer sponsored visas.
Aged care worker shortage: what the ABC data shows
The ABC reports that Labor, the Coalition and One Nation have put forward competing plans to cut net overseas migration. The Coalition would cut it to 100,000 for the first two years, then lift it to 160,000. Labor is aiming for 225,000 a year from 2027-28, down from around 300,000 recently.
At the same time, the numbers show how much the care sector depends on overseas workers:
- 51% of the residential aged care workforce was born overseas, according to Ageing Australia.
- Ageing Australia says the sector needs about 110,000 additional care workers by the end of this decade.
- The Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) estimates 70,000 personal care workers arrived on temporary visas such as student and partner visas.
- At Uniting Wontama in Orange, NSW, 104 of 179 staff are from Nepal.
The service manager there said it plainly: “Without those migrant workers we couldn’t run this service.”
The ABC also reports that an essential worker visa was flagged in the 2023 Migration Strategy. Since then, the government has relied on existing pathways such as ACILA. CEDA argues ACILA is not meeting demand. The Coalition says aged care would remain a priority workforce under its plan.
In short, the people calling for a dedicated care visa are the same people running the services. That matches what I see with my clients every day.
Aged care, disability care and child care visa problems
Aged care visa: ACILA labour agreement
Aged care workers go through ACILA, a labour agreement for the aged care industry. In South Australia, if you want to sponsor an Aged Care, you have to do ACILA.
Disability carer visa: DAMA and company specific labour agreement
In regional areas covered by a DAMA, disability carers and disability support workers can use that pathway. In Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and other non-DAMA areas, the company has to negotiate its own Company Specific Labour Agreement. These agreements involve more documentation and are more expensive than standardised visa categories such as the 482 Core Skills visa. That is a big barrier for a small provider.
Child care worker visa: 482 and 186
Child care workers are on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), so they can apply for the Subclass 482 and Subclass 186 visas.
The problem with the 482 is the salary. The salary required for the 482 is way too high for industry standards, so many child care employers cannot even qualify.
There were public announcements about child care workers being added to the skills lists, and this looked like something that could help the industry. I published a video about it on social media: watch the video on Instagram.
Priority processing for care worker visas
To underline the poor coordination in this area, carer visas are listed as a priority number one occupation under Ministerial Direction 121 and 122. So if you can lodge your visa, it will get high priority. The ABC also reports that Home Affairs says aged care workers are among the health occupations given priority processing.
However, as you can see above, it is very hard in some areas to even qualify to lodge. Either a labour agreement is needed and has to be entered into by that company, as in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, or the salary for the 482 is simply too high.
Carer visa solution: a standardised visa for aged care, disability care and child care workers
When you add the problems above together, you get fragmented and different visas, and gaps in accessibility of visas for carers. The solution would include two things.
Firstly, create a visa which covers aged care and disability carers and support workers. It needs clear requirements and a relatively affordable salary requirement, in line with the current awards, so that it can actually be used by the sector. It would also be better for there to be a standardised visa available for disability care. This could be through the Core Skills Occupation List and the 482, or through a Disability Care Labour Agreement (which does not exist yet).
Secondly, for child care workers, who are already on the Core Skills Occupation List and the 482, there needs to be a standardised salary concession. It would help make the salary that has to be paid match the actual industry standards. The current setting is basically blocking, rather than allowing, child care workers to get visas.
Care worker visa applications: DAMA and ACILA help in South Australia
Having mentioned some of the barriers, I want to be clear that these visas can be done. We are helping lots of people with them. It is just that, depending on where you are, you might need a different visa program.
In South Australia, we are doing a lot of DAMA applications for disability care. If you want to do aged care in South Australia, you have to do ACILA. We are also helping companies all over Australia with applications for disability carers, and helping a range of aged care providers.
Here is a link to our service helping to fill regional shortages through the DAMA program: labour agreements and DAMA.
Resicare testimonial: DAMA visas for carers
Resicare is a client we currently assist with many DAMA visas for carers. See their testimonial and how we helped solve regional workforce shortages through the DAMA program: Resicare’s success story.
Care sector visa experiences: tell us what you are seeing
I really want to hear your comments. What are your experiences with the care sector and visas? Tell me what you are seeing as an employer, a care worker, a support worker, or a family member.
Carer visa checklist: what employers and care workers should do
If you employ care workers, or you are a care worker yourself, do not wait for the policy to settle. Check these things first:
- which care worker visa applies to your role: ACILA, 482, 186, DAMA or a Company Specific Labour Agreement
- whether your location is covered by a DAMA
- for child care, whether the 482 salary requirement is realistic for your business, or whether the 186 is a better fit
- whether your occupation qualifies for priority processing
- whether your current visa is a Student Visa or Graduate Visa that is expiring soon
If you are in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Tasmania or another non-DAMA area, you will probably need a labour agreement. That takes planning, so it is better to start early.
Can Work Visa Lawyers help with carer visas?
Yes. We help employers and care workers find the right pathway and lodge a strong application.
We can assist with:
- DAMA applications for disability carers and support workers, including in South Australia
- ACILA applications for aged care providers
- Company Specific Labour Agreements for disability carers in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and other non-DAMA areas
- Subclass 482 and 186 applications for child care workers
- advice on which pathway fits your role and location
The care visa system is fractured. Getting the pathway right at the start saves time and cost.
FAQ: carer visas and the care sector 2026
Is there a carer visa in Australia?
No. There is no single carer visa. Aged care usually goes through ACILA. Child care workers can use the Subclass 482 or 186 visa. Disability care uses a DAMA or a Company Specific Labour Agreement, depending on where the employer is.
What visa do I need to work in aged care in South Australia?
In South Australia, aged care workers need to go through the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement (ACILA). The employer is the one who works with us on the application.
Can I get a DAMA visa as a disability carer?
Yes, if the employer is in an area covered by a DAMA. We are doing a lot of DAMA applications for disability care in South Australia. DAMAs do not cover Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.
What visa can a disability carer get in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane?
The employer needs a Company Specific Labour Agreement. Each company enters into its own agreement individually. This is also the main option for other areas that are not covered by a DAMA.
Can a child care worker get a 482 or 186 visa?
Yes. Child care workers are on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), so they can apply for the Subclass 482 and Subclass 186 visas. The salary needed for the 482 is too high for industry standards, which stops many child care employers from qualifying.
What would a simpler carer visa look like?
It would be a single visa covering aged care and disability carers and support workers, with clear requirements and a salary requirement in line with the current awards. For child care workers, who are already on the 482, there needs to be a standardised salary concession so the required salary matches industry standards.
Is there a Resicare testimonial about DAMA visas for carers?
Yes. Resicare is a client we currently assist with many DAMA visas for carers. You can read their story here: Resicare’s success story.
Do care workers get priority visa processing?
Yes. Carer visas are listed as a priority number one occupation under Ministerial Direction 121 and 122. The ABC also reports that Home Affairs says aged care workers are among the health occupations given priority processing.
Will visa cuts make the aged care worker shortage worse?
Aged care providers say they could. The ABC reports that 51% of the residential aged care workforce was born overseas, and that the sector needs about 110,000 more care workers by the end of the decade.
About the author: Chris Johnston
Chris Johnston is the Principal Lawyer and founder of Work Visa Lawyers in Adelaide. He has worked in Australian immigration since 2006 and founded the firm in 2011. Chris holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and is South Australia President of the Migration Institute of Australia. He also teaches migration law and shares migration updates online. View Chris’s profile.
Disclaimer: This information is general only and does not take into account your personal situation. Australian migration rules and state nomination requirements can change quickly. You should get advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer before making a visa decision.