Your aged care migrant worker hub
Migrant workers are essential to aged care. Your experiences, skills, education, and cultural diversity are vital to providing quality care for elderly Australians and help fill staff shortages and gaps in the workforce.
Unfortunately, migrant workers face significant and specific challenges in the workforce. This includes:
- Job insecurity and unclear pathways to permanent residency, with visa instability limiting where and how many hours you can work, creating uncertainty about your future in aged care.
- A higher risk of workplace exploitation, including wage theft, due to fear of repercussions and a lack of knowledge about workplace rights.
- Discriminatory and racist practices related to the use of native and preferred languages in the workplace
This Hub brings together resources and union campaigns specifically for you!
YOUR UNION FOR MIGRANT WORKERS IN AGED CARE
Aged care workers in Australia come from many different backgrounds and walks of life. All workers should have access to information about their rights at work, the campaign to change aged care, their union, and how to get involved.
At United Workers Union (UWU), we work with our members to advocate for ongoing change and reform securing more rights and pathways to permanent residency for aged care workers on temporary visas and make sure your protected from workplace exploitation.
Together with members we have won labor agreements across the country with some of Australia’s largest aged care providers including Opal, Estia and Aegis. Most recently Aegis WA signed a labor agreement to sponsor 100 aged care migrant workers per year for 5 years an amazing win which will see more workers achieve permanent residency!
UWU is the union for migrant aged care workers. To learn more about how we can support you, protect your rights, and help you achieve permanent residency in Australia, explore this page to find out more.
We told parliament to Secure Pathways for Migrant Workers Now!
Migrant workers make up 40% of the aged care workforce and play a vital role in keeping our sector running. Yet without secure labour agreements and clear pathways to permanent residency, we risk losing these skilled and experienced workers, which would worsen the staffing crisis for everyone.
Last year, your Aged Care Union took a delegation of migrant residential and home care members to Canberra to speak directly to the Migration Minister. We raised the urgent need for permanent residency pathways, self-sponsoring options, and long-term security for essential aged care workers.
Delegates from every state delivered a united message that migrant workers must be supported and retained to ensure the sector can continue providing safe, high-quality care.
aged care visa & Pathways to permanent residency
Direct Care workers in aged care now have the opportunity to secure permanent residency through a new employer-sponsored visa program. This initiative addresses workforce shortages in aged care and creates a secure future for dedicated carers.
How Does It Work?
In May last year, a new visa pathway was introduced through collaboration between the United Workers Union, aged care employers, and the Labor Government. This program allows eligible carers to apply for permanent residency under specific conditions.
Eligibility Requirements:
To qualify, you must:
- Have 2 years of work experience as a carer in Australia.
- Be employed by an aged care provider with a Labour Agreement negotiated with the United Workers Union.
Your rights at work
speaking your own language
DISCRIMINATION AND RACISIM
workplace exploitation
The United Workers Union is ramping up its campaign to support aged care workers on temporary visas in their journey to permanent residency.
We are actively pressuring more employers to adopt Labour Agreements and urging the government to expand pathways for migrant workers to secure permanent residency.
Alongside our tireless advocacy, we provide a range of support for migrant workers, including expert advice on visa pathways, assistance with navigating the permanent residency process, and strong advocacy for improved rights and conditions.
Don’t miss out! Register your details to stay informed with the latest updates on migrant worker news, Labour Agreements, and key issues affecting migrant aged care workers.
Have your say in our Migrant Workforce Survey
It’s vital that we keep aged care workers in aged care!
Migrant workers represent around 40% of the aged care workforce, and many workers are on temporary visas despite working in Australia and in the aged care sector for years.
Without action we could lose these experienced workers.
We want to hear from as many migrant aged care workers on visas as possible to help push for labour agreements and pathways to PR.
Take our 5-minute survey now!
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO YOU
Click on the icons below to access additional multilingual resources on workplace health & safety, as well as workplace rights and entitlements of visa holders and migrant workers.
Follow us on TikTok for migrant worker content!
UWU members meeting the Minister for Immigration!
Making the industry better for all: residents, workers AND employers!
What’s covered in the agreement between unions and aged care providers?
Start your pathway to permanent residency in Australia!
What are UWU aged care members’ thoughts on Labour Agreements and pathways to PR?
We're about to sign an agreement with opal
Hear from Sumanpreet from india
Harshit talks aged care visa, PR, and unions!
Who can access an Aged Care Labour Agreement?
We just signed our first agreement!
What about your rights in Australia?
What about currently employed aged care workers?
Why should workers on the aged care visa join their union?
