How to Get Permanent Residency in Australia Through Aged Care — Complete Guide 2026

Published: October 5, 2026 | Clinton Institute (RTO 41597, CRICOS Provider: 03540C) | Melbourne

Australia faces a shortage of over 35,000 aged care workers. For international students and migrants, this shortage creates a clear path to permanent residency. Clinton Institute (RTO 41597, CRICOS 03540C) offers three CRICOS-registered aged care qualifications — CHC33021, CHC43015, and CHC52025 — that are direct stepping stones to PR visas subclass 485, 189, and 190.

Why Aged Care Is a Top PR Pathway in 2026

Australia's aged care sector faces a documented shortage of more than 35,000 direct care workers, according to the Department of Health and Aged Care. The Australian Government has explicitly prioritised skilled aged care workers for migration through the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

Unlike competitive IT or engineering occupations — where thousands of applicants compete for a limited pool of invitations — aged care workers face significantly less competition in skilled migration rounds. The occupation is listed under ANZSCO 4231 (Aged Care Workers) and related classifications, making it eligible for:

• Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent (no employer or state nomination needed)
• Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated (state government nomination, +5 points)
• Subclass 485 — Temporary Graduate (post-study work rights for graduates)

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended expanding the aged care workforce by at least 17,000 additional workers. The Australian Government's National Jobs and Skills Council forecasts strong ongoing demand for aged care workers across all states and territories through 2030 and beyond.

For international students who complete an aged care qualification at Clinton Institute (RTO 41597, CRICOS 03540C) and gain Australian work experience, the pathway to permanent residency is clearer and more accessible than most other occupations.

The Aged Care PR Pathway: Step by Step

The journey from international student to permanent resident typically follows five stages. Each builds on the last, accumulating qualifications, experience, and points toward your PR application.

Step 1 — Obtain a Recognised Aged Care Qualification

Start with CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (CRICOS 115261A) at Clinton Institute (RTO 41597). This 6-month qualification is the foundation for all aged care roles in Australia. It includes mandatory work placement arranged by the college — students are placed with Opal Healthcare, Arcare, or Benetas in Melbourne.

Progress to CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support (CRICOS 115262M, 12 months) to qualify for senior and team leader roles. Or enter directly into CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services (CRICOS 115263K, 18 months) for case management and coordinator positions.

Step 2 — Apply for Your Student Visa and Study

With a Letter of Offer from Clinton Institute, apply for a subclass 500 (Student) visa. Your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and the CRICOS registration of your chosen course are essential. During your study, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight under standard student visa conditions.

Step 3 — Apply for Subclass 485 After Graduation

Upon completing your qualification, apply for the subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa. The Graduate Work stream is available to those with qualifications on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). The Post-Study Work stream is available to those who completed a bachelor's degree or higher. The 485 visa gives you 18 months to 6 years of unrestricted work rights in Australia — use this time to gain paid aged care experience.

Step 4 — Gain Work Experience and Lodge Skills Assessment

With your subclass 485 visa, work in a genuine aged care role (minimum 20+ hours per week to count as skilled employment for points purposes). During this period, apply to the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) for a positive skills assessment. A positive skills assessment is mandatory before lodging subclass 189 or 190 visa applications.

Step 5 — Lodge EOI and Receive Invitation for PR Visa

Once you have a positive skills assessment and meet the English language requirement (IELTS 6.0 minimum), lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect for subclass 189 and/or 190. When invited, lodge your permanent residency visa application. Processing times for subclass 189 are typically 6-18 months; subclass 190 is 6-24 months.

Which Visas Can Aged Care Workers Apply For? (Subclass 485, 189, 190)

Three primary visa subclasses form the aged care PR pathway. Each serves a distinct stage of the journey:

Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate): This is your post-study work visa. It allows you to stay in Australia after graduation and gain the paid work experience needed for points under the skilled migration scheme. You must lodge from within Australia. A positive skills assessment and relevant qualification must be on the SOL for the Graduate Work stream.

Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent): The most flexible PR option — no sponsor, no state commitment, no employer nomination. You must have a positive skills assessment, meet the points threshold (65+), and be invited by the Department of Home Affairs through SkillSelect. Aged care workers on the MLTSSL are eligible.

Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated): Requires state or territory government nomination. Each state publishes its own list of in-demand occupations. Victoria, NSW, Queensland, and South Australia have all listed aged care workers. Nomination gives you 5 additional points toward your EOI, improving your invitation ranking.

"The aged care sector is one of the most reliable migration pathways available in Australia right now. The demand for qualified, experienced aged care workers is genuine and ongoing — not a temporary policy quirk. International students who commit to this pathway, complete their placement, and build real work experience have strong, demonstrable prospects for permanent residency within 3 to 5 years."

— Laiju Thomas, Certificate IV Trainer and Assessor, Clinton Institute (RTO 41597)

Skills Assessment for Aged Care Migration

Before you can lodge a subclass 189 or 190 visa application, you must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant Australian assessing authority. For most aged care roles under ANZSCO 4231, the assessing authority is the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA).

What the Skills Assessment Evaluates

ACWA assesses whether your overseas or Australian qualification is comparable to the relevant Australian Certificate III or Certificate IV. The assessment typically covers:

• Authenticity of your qualification (verified via transcript and completion letter)
• Curriculum coverage — whether your course included mandatory aged care units
• English language proficiency (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent for ACWA purposes)
• Work experience evidence (if claimed for points)

How to Apply for a Skills Assessment

Apply directly to ACWA at acwa.org.au. You will need: your CHC33021 or CHC43015 qualification certificate and academic transcript; evidence of identity (passport, birth certificate); your CV and employment references (if claiming skilled employment points); and English language test results (IELTS, PTE, or equivalent).

Processing times for ACWA skills assessments are typically 8 to 12 weeks. Once issued, your skills assessment is valid for 3 years for migration purposes.

Building Your Points Profile

After your skills assessment, focus on accumulating points to improve your invitation ranking:

• Age (under 45): Maximum 30 points for ages 25-32
• English proficiency: IELTS 7.0 = 10 points; IELTS 8.0 = 20 points
• Australian qualifications: Diploma = 15 points; Bachelor or above = 15 points
• Skilled employment in Australia: 1-3 years = 5 points; 3-5 years = 10 points
• Community language qualification: NAATI accreditation = 5 points
• Partner skills: Up to 10 points (conditions apply)

Most aged care workers who gain 2-3 years of Australian experience and hold a Certificate IV or Diploma will score 65-85 points, making them competitive in most invitation rounds.

Clinton Institute Supports Your PR Journey

Clinton Institute (RTO 41597, CRICOS Provider: 03540C) provides more than just a qualification — we structure our courses to support your longer-term migration goals.

CRICOS-Registered Courses Linked to the PR Pathway

Mandatory Work Placement — Industry Experience Before You Graduate

All three aged care courses at Clinton Institute include mandatory work placement arranged by the college — not self-arranged. Students are placed with Opal Healthcare, Arcare, or Benetas in residential aged care facilities across Melbourne. This placement:

• Gives you verified Australian industry experience before graduation
• Builds your CV with recognizable Australian aged care employer names
• Often leads directly to employment offers from placement host employers
• Counts toward your supervised clinical hours for professional registration

Expert Trainers Who Know the Industry

Clinton Institute's trainers are current or former aged care practitioners — not just academics. They understand the ANZCO occupation classifications, the ACWA skills assessment process, and what employers and migration case officers look for. They can guide you on the practical steps beyond the classroom.

Ready to Start Your PR Journey Through Aged Care?

The pathway from international student to permanent resident is not a lottery — it is a structured process that rewards consistency, qualification, and relevant experience. Aged care is one of the few sectors in Australia where that pathway is clearly defined and genuinely accessible.

Clinton Institute (RTO 41597, CRICOS Provider: 03540C) offers monthly intakes for all three CRICOS-registered aged care courses at our Melbourne CBD campus (Level 9, 313 La Trobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000).

Contact us today to discuss your PR pathway plan:

• Phone: +61 3 8394 2064
• Email: admission@clinton.edu.au
• Online application: clinton.edu.au/apply-to-study
• Course transfers: clinton.edu.au/change-school-in-australia

Places per intake are limited. Apply early to secure your spot and begin your permanent residency journey in 2026.