
Pathway To Permanent Residency For Aged Care Workers
Author’s note: The information in this blog is accurate as of May 2025 and is subject to change based on government policy and workforce availability.
At Whiddon, we’re not just passionate about providing quality aged care – we’re also committed to supporting the dedicated professionals who make this industry thrive. As part of our efforts to build a strong, caring workforce, we offer visa sponsorship opportunities that could pave the way to permanent residency in Australia.
If you’re a registered nurse (RN) or an assistant in nursing (AIN), we’d love to help you take the next step in your career while offering the chance to build a future in Australia.
Why Choose A Career At Whiddon?
We believe in fostering the passions of our employees, providing spaces where you are encouraged to continue learning and growing as an individual. While we always seek to recruit locally from the communities where we operate, we understand that talent in regional and remote areas of New South Wales and Queensland can sometimes be limited.
That’s why we extend visa sponsorship opportunities to international candidates, offering a clear pathway to permanent residency for those who meet our criteria and demonstrate their commitment to our team.
Whether you’re looking to further your career in aged care or secure your future in Australia, Whiddon provides not just a workplace but a supportive community that values personal growth and long-term opportunity.
Visa Sponsorship For Registered Nurses (RNs)
If you’re a registered nurse looking to join the Whiddon family, you’ll be pleased to know we offer visa sponsorship under our Standard Business Sponsorship Agreement. This sponsorship is available through the Skills in Demand (SID) visa (subclass 482). To qualify, you’ll need to work full-time in one of our regional care homes where there’s a workforce shortage.
But the benefits don’t stop there. The SID visa provides a pathway to permanent residency under the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186). After fulfilling your obligations under the SID visa, including working full-time for a minimum of two years, and with positive performance, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
Eligibility Criteria for RNs:
- A valid AHPRA registration (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)
- At least two years of full-time work experience (equivalent to 76 hours per fortnight)
- Meeting the character requirements set by the Australian government
- A current English language proficiency test, such as IELTS
- Positive ANMAC skills assessment (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council) as Registered Nurse (only if applying PR 186)
This pathway gives you the opportunity to make a lasting impact through your work, while building a stable and secure life for yourself in Australia.
Visa Sponsorship for Assistants in Nursing (AINs)
Although the AIN position is not on the Australian skilled occupation list, we’ve secured an Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement (ACILA), which allows us to sponsor AINs in our regional care homes.
Like the RN pathway, this sponsorship is available under the Skills in Demand (SID) visa (subclass 482) and offers a pathway to permanent residency after two years of full-time work.
This means that if you’re an AIN working with us in one of our regional locations, you can build a career that leads to both personal and professional growth, with the added security of permanent residency in Australia.
Why Regional Areas?
While both RN and AIN sponsorship opportunities are available at Whiddon, it’s important to note that these pathways are specifically for positions in our regional homes. Working in these areas comes with unique benefits, including a close-knit community atmosphere, a slower pace of life, and the satisfaction of knowing you’re making a real difference where your skills are most needed.
Not only will you be advancing your career and working towards permanent residency, but you’ll also be enriching the lives of older Australians in areas that depend on dedicated professionals like you.
A Note on Current Sponsorship Availability
At Whiddon, we remain committed to supporting talented international candidates to grow their aged care careers in Australia. While we are proud to offer sponsorship pathways for both Registered Nurses and Assistants in Nursing, current availability may be limited depending on the hours available at individual sites and upcoming workforce transitions.
We encourage you to explore our current opportunities, as eligibility and availability are reviewed regularly. Even if sponsorship is not immediately available, there may still be valuable pathways for you to join our dedicated team and build a future with Whiddon.
Ready To Take The Next Step?
With more than 75 years of dedication, our relationship-based care approach and culture of teamwork ensure you feel supported in caring for others while nurturing your own development. If you’re a registered nurse or an assistant in nursing looking to turn your career into a permanent residency opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.
Learn more about working at Whiddon and explore our current opportunities today.