Care Jobs in Australia with Visa Sponsorship; Are you a Caregiver looking to migrate to Australia for a career adventure, well, Australia has an increasing demand for caregivers following its aging population and the need for professional home and care aged services.
As a potential foreign worker, this demand creates a significant opportunity for you with a visa sponsorship alongside.
The Australian government supports skilled and semi-skilled foreign workers through work visas, which include but are not limited to;
- Subclass 482 (Temporary Shortage Visa) and
- Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme Visa).
Significantly, caregivers in Australia are found in several areas like;
- Nursing homes
- Private residences
- Hospitals
- Disability support centers, etc., providing essential healthcare services to elderly citizens, disabled persons, as well as patients requiring specialized care.
Why You Should Consider Care Jobs In Australia with visa sponsorship
Every country has a unique point which attracts immigrants especially on the work visa route, Australia is not an exception to such unique proposition.
You may want to work in Australia following the below few reasons;
- Availability of visa sponsorship for caregivers which eases off immigration and visa costs on the foreign workers, the Australian aging population makes this obtainable.
- There’s a high demand for caregivers given the country’s geometric aging population, rest assured, there are jobs waiting for you.
- As an immigrant and foreign worker, one thing you should consider to settle in peacefully is the availability of a pathway to permanent residency, and Australia has just that for you.
- You earn competitively, giving you an edge to several labor benefits not just around salary, but staff welfare.
- There are top aged care and healthcare providers willing to pitch tents with you, get off your doubts and make things happen.
- You work on a flexible schedule, you attain a work-life balance that calls shot.
Employee benefits in Australia
Statutory benefits, also known as mandatory benefits, are entitlements that employers are obligated by law to provide to their employees.
Common examples include benefits like paid annual leave, parental leave, worker’s compensation insurance, and paid sick leave.
Employer tax contributions;
Employers must pay specific tax contributions on behalf of employees, including;
- State payroll tax
- Relevant regional contributions
Superannuation – Australia’s retirement pension plan;
Superannuation is a mandatory pension scheme that employers must pay for their Australian employees.
There are different suppliers for these plans, and employees have the right to select the one they prefer, they can also enroll in an approved Group Superannuation plan.
Long-service leave;
Employees who complete 10 years of service with an employer can legally claim 13 weeks of long service leave.
Other benefits include but are not limited to;
- Maternity and paternity leave
- Sick and care’s leave
- Minimum wage
- Overtime
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Personal development programs, etc.
Roles of caregivers
Caregivers may be required to offer a majority of the comfort care, personal caregiving activities include helping with various things the patient is no longer able to do unassisted, these include but are not limited to;
- Bathing and grooming
- Making laundry and dressing up
- Food shopping and grocery
- Managing medication
- Aiding transportation
- Mobility assistance
- Emotional support and companionship
- Communicating with doctors and monitoring medications.
What you must know
If you do not have experience with the physical aspects of giving care, ask the doctor, nurse, home health aide what you would be expected to do.
Ask them to show you how to do it. It is always a good idea to take notes, make a video or to have a friend present to record the instruction.
Here are some topics you may get acquainted with;
- Lifting and moving: What are recommended techniques?
- Bedpans: What are procedures for using and cleaning?
- Pressure Ulcers: How can bedsores be prevented?
- Incontinence: What’s the best way to handle it?
- Bathing and skin care: Are there certain products that are better?
- Oral Hygiene: How often does oral care need to be provided? Are there products that will make it easier?
Caregiver programs in Australia
Entry-level aged care programs
The certificate III in individual support is an entry-level qualification in aged care. On graduation, you’ll hit the ground running because it includes practical placements.
Many institutions throughout Australia offer this program, which lasts six months. From here, you can study in increasingly specialized areas, especially palliative care and dementia.
It’s estimated that 70% of people aged care have dementia.
Qualifications
You don’t need certification to become a care worker in Australia, since this is an entry level job. Given to your direct client care duties, you are considered key personnel under the Aged Care Act of 1997, this means you will need to meet certain requirements.
In a key personnel role for a government approved aged care provider, you cannot be unqualified, this goes to say you must meet three criteria;
- You cannot be currently in bankruptcy, or a person who is insolvent under administration, if you are to declare bankruptcy, you will be a disqualified individual until your bankruptcy can be discharged after three years.
- Criminal records that include any indictable offence is prohibited. An indictable crime is a serious criminal offence that’s liable to a jury trial.
- You cannot be of unsound mind, this means you have a mental condition that’ll prevent you from understanding and controlling your actions.
If you meet these minimum qualifications, you can be hired as an aged care worker. You can also acquire certificate that will improve your skills, and improve your chances of employment in the industry.
The entry level training for aged care worker is the Certificate III in individual Support. This program includes 7 core units from the categories of aging and aged care, you will achieve a specialized certificate III in individual Support.
This is the foundational training certification for an aged care worker.
If you are interested in growing your career and moving into a supervisory role in the care worker sector, you can get more training with a Certificate IV in Ageing Support.
With this you can provide a higher-level care, and to supervise a team of cares.
Qualifications for Care jobs in Australia with visa sponsorship
To work as a caregiver, you are expected to meet the following requirements;
- Minimum 19 years
- Ability to perform a physical task
- Good health and tolerance to environmental factor
- Clean record and valid driving history
- Fluent English communication skills
- Respectful, patient, and compassionate personality
- Willingness to adapt to new work environment.
Eligibility criteria/requirements
Candidates must meet multiple requirements to qualify for caregiver jobs in Australia, these include but are not limited to;
- Educational qualification: A diploma or certificate in caregiving, healthcare, aged care, or nursing, such as certificate III in individual support or its equivalent. Some roles may require higher qualifications like diploma in nursing or aged care.
- Work experience: Before experience in caregiving, aged care, disability support, or healthcare is preferred. Demonstrate hands-on experience in assisting patients with personal care, mobility, and daily activities is valued.
- Language proficiency: Strong English communication skills, proven through tests like IELTS, or TOEFL, are usually required to interact effectively with clients and fulfill visa application requirements.
- First aid and CPR certification: Employers mandate current certifications in First aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to ensure caregivers are equipped to handle emergencies.
- Health and physical fitness: Caregiving involves physically demanding tasks such as lifting, assisting patients with mobility, and providing personal care. Candidates must demonstrate good physical fitness and overall health.
- Background checks: A clean criminal record is mandatory. Applicants will need to provide a National Police Clearance and, in some cases, a working with Vulnerable People Check or Child Safety Check, depending on the role.
- Eligibility for visa: Candidates must qualify for a visa that that allows caregiving work. The temporary skill shortage visa or working holiday visa are common pathways. Employer must sponsor the candidate for specific skilled roles.
- Driving license: Caregiver roles require driving license, especially for roles that require travelling to client’s homes or transporting patients.
- Vaccination requirements: You will need an up-to-date immunization, including COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, may required to comply with healthcare regulations.
- Cultural competence: Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, patience, and ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds are crucial. Employers often look for candidates who can adapt to Australia’s multicultural society.
- Professional preferences: At least two professional references are typically required, preferably from previous employers in caregiving or healthcare roles.
Pathway to Australia
Caregivers looking to work in Australia can consider the following visa options
1. TSS Visa (Subclass 482)
Employers can sponsor individuals in occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or Regional Occupation List (ROL).
In this category, caregivers in position such as aged care and disability support are eligible for sponsorship.
2. Employer nominee scheme (Subclass 186)
Caregivers can work permanently in Australia with this visa. To become a permanent caregiver, you will need to obtain sponsorship from an Australian employer.
Salary and benefits
| Hourly wage | $25 – $40 per hour, varies by employer and location |
| Annual salary | $50,000 – $85,000 per year |
| Overtime and bonuses | Additional pay for extra shifts |
| Health insurance | Medical and dental benefits provided by employers |
| Paid leave and holidays | Annual leave, sick leave, and maternity leave benefits |
| Training and career growth | Professional development opportunities for career advancement |
How And where to search for caregiver jobs in Australia
To enhance your job search for caregiver roles with visa sponsorship in Australia, you may have to consider the following strategies;
Online job platforms and websites
Job listings for healthcare, elder care, disability care, and home care available on online job platforms and websites.
Seek, Indeed, and government employment portals regularly features caregivers, especially those who offer visa sponsorship.
Aged care and disability care providers
Inquire directly with elderly care facilities, disability service providers, and home care organizations about career opportunities and visa sponsorship availability.
These organizations may have specific recruitment methods and information available on their websites.
Health facilities and home care agencies
Investigate job openings in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities that provide caring services. Home care organizations provide in-home care and may have openings for caregivers with visa sponsorship
Networking and professional connections
Attend care-related conferences, workshops, and industry events to network with caregiver professionals. Connect with people who work in aged care, disability care, and home care to broaden your professional network and learn about new job opportunities.
Tailoring your resume and cover letter
Make your resume and cover letter stand out by emphasizing your career experience, appropriate qualifications, and compassionate approach to care.
Highlight your capacity to give personal care and emotional support, as well as your commitment to the dignity and well-being of the individuals you care for.
Interview for caregiver jobs
Prepare to exhibit your caregiving abilities, demonstrate your capacity to handle different care demands, and convey your grasp of person-centered care during employment interviews.
Employers may also evaluate your communication ability to work well in a group.
Caregiver jobs websites in Australia
- Seek (seek.com.au)
Seek remains one of the largest job sites in Australia. You can find a variety of caregiver positions posted by different employers.
- Care Career (carecareers.com.au)
Care careers specializes in healthcare and support service roles, including caregiver jobs. It connects job seekers with employers in the disability, community, and aged care sectors.
- Jobsearch (jobsearch.gov.au)
Managed bt the Australian government, jobsearch provides a platform for job seekers to find various roles, including caregiver positions.
- Indeed (au.indeed.com)
Indeed is a global job search engine that aggregates job listings from various sources. You can find caregiver jobs posted by different employers across Australia.
- CareerOne ( careerone.com.au)
CareerOne is a popular job portal in Australia. It offers a wide range of job opportunities, including caregiver roles in healthcare sector.
- Australian jobsearch (australianjobsearch.gov.au)
Another government-run platform, Australian jobsearch, provides a comprehensive listing of job opportunities, including caregiver positions.
- Jora (au.jora.com)
Jora is a job search engine that aggregates job listings from various websites. You can find caregiver jobs by searching specifically in the healthcare or aged care categories.
- HealthBuzz (healthbuzz.com.au)
Healthbuzz is a healthcare-specific job portal where you can find caregiver positions and related roles in the healthcare industry.
- Ethical jobs (ethicaljob.com.au)
Ethicaljobs focuses on roles within the not-for-profit and ethical sectors, including caregiver positions in organizations that align with these values.
- My care job (mycarejob.com.au)
My care job is a platform specifically dedicated to connecting caregivers with job opportunities in the care sector.
Care services/nursing homes offering caregiver jobs in Australia
- Bupa aged care, globally recognized leader in healthcare, operating over 70 aged-care homes across Australia.
- Anglicare Australia, a trusted name in the community and aged care services, with operations in multiple states, they actively seek caregivers with international experience.
- Blue care, known for providing aged and community care services in rural and regional areas.
- Southern cross care, they recruit internationally to meet growing demand for caregivers, and often sponsor visas for foreign workers.
- Health care Australia, a leading recruitment agency in the healthcare industry, frequently offer visa sponsorship for international caregivers with experience in aged care, disability, and support.
- Regis aged care
- Opal healthcare
- Estia health
- Bolton Clarke
- Life without barriers, etc.
Conclusion
Are you a Caregiver looking for care jobs in Australia with visa sponsorship, well, Australia has an increasing demand for caregivers following its aging population and the need for professional home and care aged services.
As a potential foreign worker, this demand creates a significant opportunity for you with a visa sponsorship alongside.
The Australian government supports skilled and semi-skilled foreign workers through work visas, this apparently provides you with the best opportunity to move to your dream country.