The Migration Agency has entered into a significant partnership with the Kerala Government of India. The Kerala Australia Skills Partnership will fast-track the recruitment of qualified overseas aged care workers, nurses, tradespeople and child care professionals.
The statistic is well-known: Australia is facing a growing shortage of aged care workers, with the shortfall expected to reach 110,000 by 2030. To add to this, the construction industry was experiencing a shortage of 90,000 in 2024, the childcare industry requires 21,000 new individuals to fill vacancies, and Australia’s hospitals and healthcare centres are on their way to a deficit of over 70,000 nurses by 2035.
With an ageing population and rising demand for healthcare services, the need for skilled professionals in health and aged care is increasing. Current workforce shortages are putting providers under pressure, making it difficult to maintain high-quality care while meeting the industry’s tough regulatory requirements. Despite Australia encouraging and supporting new graduates and trainees, the pipeline is insufficient and there are simply not enough skilled, job-ready candidates in Australia who can also mentor and train others. Addressing the shortage requires innovative solutions and a strategic global approach.
The Migration Agency (TMA) is helping to close the gap. Going beyond a simple migration service, we leverage forward-thinking partnerships to upskill and deploy internationally qualified workers on behalf of our clients. As part of this, we are delighted to announce our landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Indian state of Kerala to facilitate skills development and talent mobility to Australia.
Kerala: A global hub for skilled talent
Located in southern India, Kerala is achieving global recognition for its focus on education and training. The state’s leaders are dedicated to transforming it into a global hub for innovation and investment and strategically positioning it as a key supplier of skilled workers. It is known for:
- Having a high literacy rate of 94%
- Fostering progressive communities, with men and women actively participating in the workforce
- Its world class health system and high quality healthcare workforce
The state’s globally minded perspective means its workforce is increasingly regarded for its expertise in healthcare, particularly in nursing and aged care. It has a surplus of nurses and it is common for these professionals to migrate for work.
Leaders in the region’s key focus areas recently hosted the Invest Kerala Global Summit, showcasing its progressive policies and inviting partners to explore opportunities together.
Recognising the potential for mutual gain, senior representatives from TMA travelled to Kerala to attend the summit and sign an MOU with the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (KDISC) and NORKA ROOTS (Non-Resident Keralites Affairs). This agreement creates a direct pathway for skilled nurses and aged care workers to relocate from Kerala to Australia and fill much-needed gaps in the workforce.
A direct pathway for skilled care workers
This Kerala Australia Skills Partnership will streamline talent mobility between Australia and Kerala’s highly skilled workforce.
Under the agreement, TMA will:
- Connect Australian aged care employers with job-ready care workers in Kerala
- Manage the employment visa process on behalf of all stakeholders
- Ensure compliance requirements are met for incoming care workers
- Support upskilling initiatives for Indian healthcare professionals seeking opportunities in Australia.
As an organisation, we are thrilled to introduce Kerala’s skilled talent to Australian employers and help organisations who require skilled care workers with the migration process.
This partnership will deliver immeasurable benefits not only for our aged care and healthcare industry clients, but also for the childcare sector as well.
Supporting Australia’s growing demand for aged care workers
With demand for nurses and skilled aged care workers in Australia expected to rise, Kerala’s dedication to innovation and training presents a valuable solution for the sector. Going forward, TMA will act as a bridge between qualified Indian aged care professionals and our Australian clients to facilitate seamless migration pathways, training support and workforce integration.
The Kerala Australia Skills Partnership also opens the door to future strategic collaborations with other international government bodies, businesses and industry leaders to create exciting new pipelines for Australia’s healthcare sector workforce.
If your organisation is ready to explore a job-ready supply of skilled care workers and undertake a talent-mapping exercise to meet future workforce needs, please book a consultation today.
