-
2 x Residential Care Home Managers looking for sponsorship
Hi all! First up I want to say hello and it’s nice to find a new forum to discuss Oz and emigration.
I have a long old story with emigrating (or not!) to Oz. First up was a sponsorship back in 2018 where it was all close to being wrapped up and then laws/guidance/legislation changed around sponsorship and it fell through. Then my wife and I were going to come and actually had a 489 visa and we broke up but even if we did use it we would have then hit the hurdle of Covid-19 and the strict border controls. Sometimes I feel like the universe is sending me a message!
Fast forward to now and my partner and I have family (her sister and nephews in Aus) and we are considering the move once more. Well, more accurately I want to move, her sister would love her to move and it’s just some convincing that needs doing. We’ve spent 2 months over there in the Goldie and that’s where we’d like to be, or near, as her sister lives in Nerang.
Securing a job could help in convincing.
She has almost 20 years of Care experience working and managing in supported living and Residential Care homes while I have nearly 10 years experience of Residential Care homes, Supporting living and homeless service experience. For the most part for both of us we have worked with adults with autism, learning difficulties and disabilities where some may and have exhibited quite high levels of challenging behaviour.
We both have Level 5 qualifications in Health and Social Care with her specialising in leadership while mine specialises in Young Adults and Children. I have 5 years post qualification experience while she’s coming up to 1.
We are not nurses of any kind.
What are the chances of securing sponsorship in this role? Are we better looking to get in at a lower level and working up? I don’t usually see care home or supported living facility manager roles on sponsorship sites but I’m unsure if I’m looking for the wrong things (jobs can be titled differently in different countries.
Thanks for reading and looking forward to chat to you all.
Lewis
-
5 Replies
-
Hi Lewis and far out! 😳
Thanks for sharing your story! It sounds like you’ve had quite a journey with Australian migration.
The good news is that your experience and qualifications could align with ANZSCO occupations that are eligible for sponsorship.
ANZSCO Code & Visa Pathways
Based on your experience in residential care and supported living, I’d suggest the most relevant ANZSCO codes are:
1. 134213 – Primary Health Organisation Manager (mainly for broader healthcare management roles, may not be the best fit)
2. 134214 – Welfare Centre Manager (most likely the best match based on your description but check the description I have linked)
3. 411711 – Community Worker (for frontline care roles rather than management)
The Welfare Centre Manager (ANZSCO 134214) is on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), meaning it is eligible for employer-sponsored visas like the 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa.
However, STSOL occupations do not provide a pathway to permanent residency unless through a 190 State Nomination (if a state is sponsoring it) or a 494 Regional Employer Sponsored visa.
Sponsorship & Job Search
Care facility and disability service management roles do exist under employer sponsorship, but they’re not as commonly advertised as nursing positions. Your best bet is to:
Search for sponsorship jobs on https://482jobs.com (We also run this site and all listings there offer visa sponsorship which might save you time searching for and shortlisting jobs that actually offer aponsorship).
Check Seek.com.au and Indeed.com.au for roles like “Residential Care Manager,” “Disability Services Manager,” or “Welfare Centre Manager.”
Approach care providers directly—organisations like Life Without Barriers, Anglicare, and The Benevolent Society may be willing to sponsor experienced managers.
Consider entering at a lower level (e.g., Support Coordinator or Team Leader) if sponsorship for managerial roles proves difficult.
Alternative Visa Options
If employer sponsorship is challenging, you could look at:
1. State-Nominated (190) Visa – Welfare Centre Manager has been nominated in some states previously, but it depends on demand at the time.
2. Regional (491) Visa – Some regional areas may have better chances for nomination. If you’re open to areas outside the Gold Coast, this could be an option.
3. Partner Visa – If your partner has stronger options for sponsorship or nomination, you could be included on their application.
Final Thoughts
Your qualifications and experience are valuable, and there are pathways available, but as you’ve noticed, sponsorship in care management is less common than in nursing.
If you’re open to regional areas or considering stepping into a slightly lower role first, your chances may improve.
I’d recommend starting with 482jobs.com and directly contacting larger disability and aged care service providers.
Feel free to ask more questions as you explore your options!
Regards,
Mark
gettingdownunder.com
Primary Health Organisation Manager - ANZSCO 134213 - Getting Down Under
We'd love to hear from you. Let us know about your journey so far in our comments below!
-
Hi Mark thanks for your reply!
It has been quite a journey of some disappointments. Our big deal breaker really is that it has to be Gold Coast but there are regional post codes there so a Regional Visa isn’t completely out the question. I still actually have my 489 Visa from my previous relationship however I was a secondary applicant and doesn’t include my now partner so it’s a non-starter really though I have used that visa for two separate month-long visits. The reasoning for Gold Coast is family living there.
I’ve always thought the 190 is the most logical way in if sponsorship can’t be found, even potentially the best anyway as it offers total freedom.
-
-
Hi Lewis,
Totally understand—if Gold Coast is the must-have, then focusing on the options that keep you there makes sense. You’re right that parts of the Gold Coast still qualify as regional for visa purposes, so a 491 Regional Visa could be a backup plan if needed.
Your old 489 visa unfortunately won’t help now, especially since it doesn’t include your current partner. But it’s good that you’ve had extended visits—it means you’ve already got a feel for life there!
If sponsorship doesn’t work out, the 190 State Nomination could be a strong pathway, but it really depends on Queensland’s occupation lists at the time. The 491 may be an easier pathway if QLD has openings for your role under regional nomination. It’s worth keeping an eye on Migration Queensland’s occupation lists as they change frequently.
Are you looking at potential employers already, or still in the research phase? If you need help with job search strategies, let me know. 👍🏻
All the best
Mark
-
Thanks Mark. I’ve often obsessed so a few years ago I made a lot of connections on Linked with people in care companies and researched best care companies although asides from making contact through contact forms and telling them what I can offer and asking if they sponsor I do plateau a bit at that point and am not really sure what to do next(the answer has never been “yes we do, sign up here!”).
Last time I went I should have made contact while over there but I ended up being far more focused on having a good time!
-
-
Did you connect with many recruiters in the industry Lewis? This might be the way to go if you haven’t. I’d also recommend the article we wrote some time ago on one of our other websites here. A few small tips but they won’t hurt. 🙂
482jobs.com
15 Expert Tips To Get Noticed By Australian Recruiters On LinkedIn - 482 Jobs Australia
Want to land your dream job in Australia? Check out these 15 expert tips for optimizing your LinkedIn profile, expanding your network, and standing out to Australian recruiters.
Log in to reply.