On the back of confirming that it would fully fund the Fair Work Commission’s 15% wage increase for aged care workers, the Albanese Government has launched New Aged Care Industry Labour Agreements, offering migrants a faster pathway to permanent residency if they work in aged care.
The Agreements, jointly announced by Immigration Minister Andrew Giles and Aged Care Minister Anika Wells on Friday morning, are aimed at streamlining the process for aged care providers to sponsor direct care workers on skilled visas.
Under the Agreements, access will be given to employers who have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant industry union. The Agreement will then be negotiated directly between unions and employers – with newly sponsored care workers able to speak to their union if they wish to.
The Agreements will also provide extra incentives for providers to attract workers – including an expedited two-year pathway to permanent residency.
In addition, the Agreements – which will be made available to providers immediately – and their associated visa applications will be processed by the Department of Home Affairs as a matter of priority – indicating that new workers could be arriving under the Agreements within months.
Minister Wells had promised this year’s LEADERS SUMMIT audience in March that work was going on behind the scenes and aged care providers should be optimistic for what was come.
This latest announcement shows that the Government is keeping its word.
We will have more on the new Agreements when the details are released.
