A New South Wales aged care organisation has reached a unique agreement with the federal government to help address severe staff shortages, which it says could become a model for other businesses struggling to find workers.
Sapphire Coast Community Aged Care made the labour agreement to bring on an additional 25 migrant workers every year to address the staff shortages caused by COVID-19 and international border closures in previous years.
Labour agreements are developed between the Australian Government and businesses to allow employers to sponsor skilled overseas workers.
Chief executive Matt Sierp said the hard work in reaching an agreement paid off for the Bega-based organisation.
"We had to employ immigration lawyers, specialists and recruitment consultants to assist us just to get through the red tape," he said.
"However, it's all worth it because we have 16 new staff on the ground, and we've got an opportunity [to employ] 25 new staff each year under this agreement."
The organisation said it was the first business in Australia to strike a deal with the government to allow Assistants in Nursing (AiNs) to be part of the program.
Workers plan to settle in region
Dani Ulibas is one of the newest aged care workers to start under the agreement.
His four children remain in the Philippines but he is hopeful that this new job will allow them to move to Australia.
"I really miss them and it's been a really big sacrifice," he said.
"But hopefully through this opportunity, we can be together again after so many years apart."
Migrants working for the organisation through these labour agreements will be eligible to apply for permanent residency after two years if the company nominates them.
When the four-year contract ends the organisation can come to an agreement with individual workers to transition them onto full-time positions.
Hanna Bhandari and her partner Anup Tiwari plan to stay in the region after the agreement ends.
"I like Bega, so I want to buy a house here after getting our residency," Mr Tiwari said.
"The climate, peaceful environment and mountains are similar to what we have in Nepal."
Community helps provide housing
Regional Australia's housing crisis has made it harder for many businesses to attract staff.
Chief operations officer of Sapphire Coast Community Aged Care Julie Evans says it has taken on rentals to address the problem.
"That's my other job. Somehow I've started to look after some rentals," she said.
"We've currently got 15 rentals on our books."
The company has worked with local real estate agents to secure the rentals and community organisations like Rotary have provided the furniture.
A 'good model' for other businesses
The aged care organisation hopes the model can be replicated by other businesses struggling with recruitment.
Mr Sierp said it would be happy to share its idea with other interested businesses.
"It would be a great model to see elsewhere," he said.
"This one does cost money, a lot of time and effort but it's certainly well worth it."
A spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs said businesses that wanted to "sponsor overseas workers" could apply to enter a labour agreement if they met certain conditions.
"Labour agreements are available where standard visa programs are unavailable and there is a demonstrated need that cannot be met in the Australian labour market," the spokesperson said.
"Any Australian business that has been operating for at least 12 months may apply for a labour agreement."
