Australia is one of the popular destinations for international workers looking for employment opportunities in the healthcare and aged-care industries. With an ageing population and an ongoing demand for direct-care professionals, Australian employers recruit qualified caregivers, personal care assistants, nursing support workers and aged-care workers.
For foreigners interested in relocating to Australia, some aged-care employers offer visa sponsorship opportunities through the Australian Government's Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement. Depending on the employer, employment contract and location, additional benefits may include relocation assistance, accommodation support, travel assistance and training.
This guide explains how to find caregiver and nursing assistant jobs in Australia, potential salaries of up to AUD $100,000 annually, visa sponsorship requirements, relocation benefits and how interested applicants can apply.
1. Understanding $100,000 Caregiver and Nursing Assistant Jobs in Australia
Caregiver and nursing assistant jobs involve providing personal care and support to elderly people, patients with disabilities and individuals who require assistance with everyday activities.
These positions are available in different workplaces, including:
Residential aged-care facilities.
Private nursing homes.
Hospitals and healthcare centres.
Disability support organisations.
Home-care service providers.
Community healthcare organisations.
Some experienced workers in senior, specialised or higher-paying roles may earn close to AUD $100,000 annually, particularly when additional shifts, overtime and allowances are included.
However, applicants should understand that AUD $100,000 is not a guaranteed salary for ordinary caregiver or nursing assistant positions. Actual earnings depend on qualifications, experience, employer, working hours and job classification.
According to Jobs and Skills Australia's occupational information, nursing support and personal care workers have median full-time weekly earnings of approximately AUD $1,612 based on the published May 2025 earnings data.
2. Types of Caregiver and Nursing Assistant Jobs Available
Foreign applicants can explore several healthcare support occupations in Australia.
A. Aged Care Worker
Aged-care workers assist elderly individuals who need help with their daily activities. Their responsibilities include:
Helping residents with bathing and dressing.
Preparing meals and assisting with feeding.
Supporting mobility and physical activities.
Providing companionship and emotional support.
Monitoring residents' general wellbeing.
Reporting health concerns to supervisors.
B. Personal Care Assistant
Personal care assistants provide direct assistance to people who cannot independently manage certain daily activities.
Their duties may include personal hygiene, dressing, mobility assistance, meal preparation and supporting residents with individual care plans.
C. Nursing Support Worker
Nursing support workers assist registered nurses and other healthcare professionals in hospitals, nursing homes and other medical facilities.
Their responsibilities may include:
Assisting patients with personal care.
Helping patients move safely.
Monitoring and reporting changes in patients' conditions.
Supporting basic treatment and rehabilitation activities.
Maintaining patient comfort and hygiene.
Following instructions from qualified nursing professionals.
D. Disability Support Worker
Disability support workers assist individuals living with physical, intellectual or developmental disabilities.
They help clients participate in daily activities, maintain independence, attend appointments and access community services.
Important: Not every disability support worker position qualifies under the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement. Applicants should check the specific occupation and visa arrangement before accepting an offer.
3. Salary Expectations: Can Caregivers Earn AUD $100,000?
Salary is one of the major considerations for foreigners planning to work in Australia.
Caregiver and nursing assistant earnings depend on the employer, qualifications, location, experience and employment arrangement.
Below is an illustrative salary guide, not a guaranteed employer pay scale.
| Job position | Illustrative annual earnings |
|---|---|
| Entry-level caregiver | AUD $50,000–$60,000 |
| Personal care assistant | AUD $55,000–$70,000 |
| Nursing support worker | AUD $60,000–$80,000 |
| Experienced aged-care worker | AUD $70,000–$90,000 |
| Senior or specialised care roles | AUD $80,000–$100,000+ |
Actual salaries must be confirmed through individual job advertisements and employment contracts.
Workers should also understand that the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement requires participating employers to provide at least AUD $51,222 in guaranteed annual earnings or the applicable Australian Market Salary Rate, whichever is higher, under the published arrangement.
The AUD $100,000 figure should therefore be treated as a potential high-end earnings target rather than a standard starting salary.
4. Visa Sponsorship Opportunities for Foreign Caregivers
One important route for eligible overseas caregivers is the Australian Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement (ACILA).
This arrangement allows eligible aged-care employers to sponsor overseas workers for certain direct-care occupations where they cannot adequately recruit suitable Australian workers.
The agreement covers three important occupations:
Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111).
Nursing Support Worker (ANZSCO 423312).
Personal Care Assistant (ANZSCO 423313).
Eligible employers can sponsor qualified overseas applicants through relevant employer-sponsored visa arrangements, including:
Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482): This visa allows eligible sponsored workers to live and work in Australia temporarily under the applicable labour agreement.
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186): Eligible workers may have a pathway to permanent residence if they satisfy the relevant requirements.
Visa approval is not automatic. Applicants must meet the applicable qualifications, English-language, employment and other immigration requirements.
5. Requirements for Caregiver and Nursing Assistant Jobs in Australia
Although requirements differ between employers, applicants interested in sponsored aged-care positions should prepare to meet the following conditions.
Educational Qualifications
Applicants may need a relevant Certificate III qualification or an equivalent overseas qualification.
Relevant courses may include:
Certificate III in Individual Support.
Certificate III in Aged Care.
Certificate III in Health Services Assistance.
Relevant nursing support qualifications.
Other recognised healthcare-related qualifications.
Under the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement, relevant work experience may also satisfy certain qualification requirements, subject to the applicable assessment rules.
Work Experience
Having previous experience in caregiving, nursing assistance, elderly care or disability support can improve an applicant's employment prospects.
Applicants should prepare evidence of relevant experience, including employment references, job descriptions and previous work records.
English Language Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the English-language requirements applicable to their visa and employer.
Under the published Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement arrangements, the English requirement for the subclass 482 visa includes IELTS 5.0 overall with minimum component scores of 5.0 in speaking and listening and 4.5 in reading and writing for standard aged-care providers.
Different provisions apply to certain culturally and linguistically diverse providers.
Skills Assessment
Depending on the occupation and qualifications, applicants may need a positive skills assessment.
The relevant assessing authorities include:
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) for Nursing Support Workers and Personal Care Assistants.
Community Work Australia for Aged or Disabled Carers.
Applicants should confirm the applicable assessment requirements before submitting their visa applications.
Other Requirements
Candidates may also need:
A valid international passport.
A detailed professional CV.
Relevant educational certificates.
Employment references.
Police clearance certificates.
Medical examination results.
Any required aged-care screening and background checks.
6. Relocation Packages for Foreign Caregivers
Some Australian healthcare employers provide relocation assistance to attract qualified international workers.
However, relocation benefits are not automatically included in every sponsored job offer.
Depending on the employer, an employment package may include:
Flight Assistance: Some employers may contribute towards international travel expenses or provide an airfare allowance.
Temporary Accommodation: Selected employers may arrange temporary accommodation while new employees search for permanent housing.
Relocation Allowance: Some organisations provide financial assistance to help cover moving expenses.
Visa Sponsorship: Eligible employers may nominate qualified overseas workers under an approved sponsorship arrangement.
Training and Orientation: New employees may receive workplace training, safety instructions and assistance with understanding Australian aged-care standards.
Before accepting an offer, applicants should request written confirmation of all relocation benefits, including who pays for flights, visa expenses, accommodation and other costs.
7. Where to Find Caregiver Jobs with Visa Sponsorship in Australia
Foreign applicants should concentrate on legitimate employers and recruitment platforms.
The following websites can help applicants identify available opportunities.
SEEK Australia – https://www.seek.com.au/
Indeed Australia – https://au.indeed.com/
Workforce Australia – https://www.workforceaustralia.gov.au/
Jora Australia – https://au.jora.com/
LinkedIn Jobs – https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/
When searching, use keywords such as:
Aged Care Worker Visa Sponsorship Australia.
Personal Care Assistant Sponsorship.
Nursing Support Worker Jobs Australia.
Overseas Caregiver Recruitment Australia.
Aged Care Labour Agreement Jobs.
Disability Support Worker Jobs with Sponsorship.
Applicants should remember that finding a job advertisement mentioning sponsorship does not automatically mean the employer is authorised or willing to sponsor every overseas applicant.
8. How to Apply for Caregiver and Nursing Assistant Jobs in Australia
Interested applicants can follow these steps to begin their employment search.
Step 1: Prepare Your CV
Prepare a professional Australian-style CV containing your educational qualifications, caregiving experience, relevant training, skills and employment history.
Step 2: Obtain Relevant Qualifications
If you do not have a recognised caregiving or healthcare qualification, consider obtaining relevant training before applying.
Step 3: Search for Sponsorship Opportunities
Visit legitimate Australian employment websites and search for aged-care employers recruiting international workers.
Step 4: Check Employer Eligibility
Confirm that the employer can access the appropriate sponsorship arrangement, particularly the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement where applicable.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Send your CV, certificates, references and other requested documents through the employer's official recruitment channel.
Step 6: Attend an Interview
Shortlisted applicants may participate in online interviews to discuss their experience, communication skills, availability and ability to perform the job.
Step 7: Receive an Employment Offer
Successful candidates should receive a written employment contract outlining their salary, working hours, job responsibilities, leave entitlements and other benefits.
Step 8: Complete the Visa Process
The employer completes the relevant sponsorship and nomination requirements, while the applicant submits the appropriate visa application through the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
Step 9: Prepare for Relocation
After receiving visa approval, arrange your travel, accommodation and other relocation requirements according to your employment agreement.
9. Important Things to Know Before Applying
Before applying for any AUD $100,000 caregiver or nursing assistant opportunity, consider the following:
Do not assume every caregiver job offers visa sponsorship.
Confirm that the employer is eligible to sponsor overseas workers.
Check whether the advertised salary is gross or net.
Ask whether accommodation and flight expenses are covered.
Do not pay individuals who promise guaranteed Australian visa approval.
Verify the employment contract before making travel arrangements.
Use the official Australian immigration website for visa information.
Be particularly careful with recruitment advertisements promising guaranteed AUD $100,000 salaries, free flights and automatic permanent residency. These benefits must be independently verified.
10. Official Websites for Australian Caregiver Jobs and Visa Information
Applicants can use the following official resources to verify employment and immigration information:
Australian Department of Home Affairs: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/
Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/employer-subsite/Pages/Industry-labour-agreements.aspx
Jobs and Skills Australia: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/
Fair Work Ombudsman: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council: https://www.anmac.org.au/
Conclusion
Caregiver and nursing assistant jobs in Australia offer employment opportunities for qualified international applicants interested in working in the aged-care and healthcare sectors.
Through the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement, eligible Australian employers can sponsor overseas aged-care workers in approved occupations, including aged or disabled carers, nursing support workers and personal care assistants.
Although some experienced workers may earn close to AUD $100,000 annually, this amount is not guaranteed for every position. Applicants should concentrate on legitimate vacancies, verify sponsorship eligibility, prepare the required qualifications and carefully review employment and relocation benefits before accepting an offer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can foreigners apply for caregiver jobs in Australia with visa sponsorship?
Yes. Foreigners can apply for eligible caregiver positions through Australian employers participating in approved sponsorship arrangements, including the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement. Applicants must satisfy the relevant qualification, experience, English-language and visa requirements.
2. Can a caregiver earn AUD $100,000 annually in Australia?
Yes, it is possible for some experienced workers or employees in higher-paying roles to approach or exceed AUD $100,000 annually. However, ordinary caregiver and nursing assistant positions generally offer different salary levels depending on qualifications, location, working hours and employer.
3. Does Australia offer free relocation packages for foreign caregivers?
Some Australian employers provide relocation assistance, which may include flight contributions, temporary accommodation and relocation allowances. However, these benefits are employer-dependent and are not guaranteed under every visa sponsorship arrangement. Applicants should confirm the benefits in writing.
4. What visa can I use to work as a sponsored caregiver in Australia?
Eligible caregivers may qualify for the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) through the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement. Qualified workers may also have a pathway to permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186), provided they meet the applicable requirements.