Residential Care Officer
A Residential Care Officer provides direct care and supervision to individuals in residential settings, including group homes, refuges, and residential facilities for people with disabilities, mental health needs, or youth in out-of-home care. In Australia, this role is regulated under state child protection and disability services frameworks.
Full-time AUD, 2025 indicative. Wide bands reflect variation by employer, experience, and location.
Sustained demand across residential disability, youth justice, and out-of-home care sectors, with strong demand in regional areas.
Occupation list membership
Which Department of Home Affairs skilled lists this occupation currently appears on.
- STSOLShort-Term Skilled Occupation List
Occupations eligible for shorter-term sponsored visas including Subclass 482 (short-term stream).
- CSOLCombined Skilled Occupation List
The merged skilled list that consolidates previous MLTSSL and STSOL eligibility under the Skills in Demand program.
Assessing authority
The body that assesses skills for migration purposes for this occupation.
- CWACWA
Visa pathways
Australian visa subclasses for which this occupation is currently eligible.
- 186Learn more →Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Permanent employer-sponsored visa for workers nominated by an approved sponsor.
- 190Learn more →Skilled Nominated visa
Permanent visa for workers nominated by a state or territory government.
- 482Learn more →Skills in Demand visa
Employer-sponsored temporary visa (formerly TSS) for occupations on the relevant list.
- 491Learn more →Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.
- 494Learn more →Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
Five-year employer-sponsored provisional visa in regional Australia, with a path to PR.
State nominations
States and territories that currently nominate this occupation for skilled migration.
| Code | State / Territory | Details |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | New South Wales | View nomination → |
| WA | Western Australia | View nomination → |
| SA | South Australia | View nomination → |
| TAS | Tasmania | View nomination → |
| NT | Northern Territory | View nomination → |
| ACT | Australian Capital Territory | View nomination → |
Key duties
- Provide daily care, supervision, and support to residents in care settings
- Implement individual care or behaviour support plans
- Respond to crisis situations using de-escalation and emergency procedures
- Maintain case notes, incident reports, and other documentation
Skills required
- Residential care and behaviour support techniques
- Knowledge of relevant legislation including child protection and disability rights
- Crisis intervention and de-escalation skills
- Report writing and documentation practices
Typical qualifications pathway
A Certificate III or IV in Community Services, Child, Youth and Family Intervention, or Disability is typical. CWA is the assessing authority for migration purposes.
Visa & occupation list information
This occupation appears on the STSOL and CSOL. Eligible Australian skilled visa pathways include subclasses 186, 190, 482, 491, and 494. State nominations are available from nominating states and territories. For advice on which pathway suits your circumstances, consult a registered MARA migration agent.
anzsco.com.au is information-only. For personalised advice on your situation, always consult a registered MARA migration agent.
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