Australia is experiencing an increasing demand for household and domestic workers due to an aging population, busy dual-income families, and the rise in home-based care services. This creates a steady stream of job opportunities in both urban and regional areas.
One of the biggest advantages of working in this sector is the flexibility. Domestic work often offers part-time, full-time, and casual roles, making it ideal for people who need to balance work with family, studies, or other commitments.
Household and domestic work usually does not require advanced qualifications, making it accessible for many, including new migrants, students, and those re-entering the workforce. On-the-job training is often provided.
The sector includes a variety of job roles such as cleaning, cooking, elderly care, childcare, gardening, and housekeeping. This diversity allows individuals to choose roles that match their interests and skills.
In some cases, employment in the domestic and care sectors can be a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. This is particularly relevant for carers and support workers who meet certain visa and employment criteria.
Household and domestic workers play a vital role in supporting families, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. This can be highly rewarding work that makes a real difference in people's lives and the broader community.
Australia has strong labor laws that protect workers' rights, including minimum wage standards, paid leave entitlements, and safe working conditions. Workers in this sector are entitled to fair treatment under national employment standards.
For international candidates, working as a household or domestic worker in Australia can be more than just a job—it can be a gateway to a fulfilling life abroad. Whether you're dreaming of starting fresh in a safe, welcoming country or building a career in care and service, Australia offers a stable and supportive environment.
Domestic work in Australia isn’t limited to traditional cleaning tasks. Many families and agencies seek creative individuals who can bring added value—think meal planning with international flair, educational play with children, home organization, or even garden design. Your unique skills can set you apart.
Working in Australian households allows for genuine cultural exchange. You may be teaching children your native language, introducing new cuisines, or sharing your cultural traditions while learning about Australian ways of life. It’s a rewarding, two-way experience.
Certain visas, such as the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa or employer-sponsored streams, can support international candidates in domestic roles—particularly in aged care, disability support, and childcare. Skilled and reliable workers are often valued enough to be sponsored long-term.
From time management and interpersonal communication to childcare, cooking, and household management—domestic work builds a robust set of transferable skills. Many international workers use this experience as a stepping stone to other careers in healthcare, hospitality, or education.
Australia has a strong network of support groups and services for migrant and international workers. Whether you're from the Philippines, India, Nepal, or Africa, you’ll likely find welcoming communities and organizations ready to help you settle and thrive.
With established labor laws and workplace protections, international household workers in Australia can expect fair treatment, decent pay, and safe working conditions. Organizations such as Fair Work Australia enforce these rights, making it a trustworthy employment environment.
At its heart, domestic and household work is about care. Whether you're helping an elderly person live independently or supporting busy families, your work has purpose and meaning. It's not just a job—it's a way to contribute to people’s lives.
Cleaners are responsible for general tidying, dusting, vacuuming, mopping floors, and cleaning bathrooms and kitchens. Many work independently or through cleaning agencies and may serve one or multiple households.
Nannies provide care for children in a private home setting. Duties can include feeding, bathing, school pick-up, assisting with homework, and planning activities. Some positions may also involve light housework related to child care.
Housekeepers manage the daily operations of a household. Tasks may include cleaning, laundry, ironing, grocery shopping, and meal preparation. They often work full-time and may live in or out of the home.
These workers assist elderly individuals in their homes, helping with personal care, meal preparation, companionship, and light housework. This role may require special training or certification, especially for medical-related tasks.
Support workers help individuals with disabilities maintain independence at home. Tasks may include personal care, mobility assistance, household tasks, and social support. This role is often funded through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Domestic gardeners maintain residential gardens and lawns. Responsibilities include mowing, planting, weeding, pruning, and general garden care. Some also assist with landscaping and outdoor maintenance.
Some families hire private cooks to prepare meals tailored to dietary preferences or cultural cuisines. Duties may include meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking for special occasions or daily needs.
Live-in workers reside at the employer’s home and typically perform a mix of duties such as cleaning, cooking, laundry, and childcare. In return, they receive accommodation and meals along with their wage.
While not traditional domestic roles, pet care jobs are growing in popularity. Responsibilities include feeding, walking, and caring for pets while owners are away or at work.
Job Profile |
AUD/year |
USD/year |
INR/year |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Housekeeper |
55,000 |
36,850 |
₹30,25,000 |
|
Cleaner (Residential) |
52,000 |
34,840 |
₹28,60,000 |
|
Nanny |
60,000 |
40,200 |
₹33,00,000 |
|
Babysitter (Part-time) |
35,000 |
23,450 |
₹19,25,000 |
|
Aged Care Worker |
62,000 |
41,540 |
₹34,10,000 |
|
Disability Support Worker |
64,000 |
42,880 |
₹35,20,000 |
|
Private Cook/Chef |
70,000 |
46,900 |
₹38,50,000 |
|
Gardener (Residential) |
50,000 |
33,500 |
₹27,50,000 |
|
Domestic Assistant (General) |
48,000 |
32,160 |
₹26,40,000 |
|
Laundry Worker (Private) |
45,000 |
30,150 |
₹24,75,000 |
|
Pet Sitter |
40,000 |
26,800 |
₹22,00,000 |
|
Dog Walker |
38,000 |
25,460 |
₹20,90,000 |
|
Live-in Housekeeper |
58,000 |
38,860 |
₹31,90,000 |
|
Live-in Nanny |
65,000 |
43,550 |
₹35,75,000 |
|
Childcare Worker (Home-based) |
59,000 |
39,530 |
₹32,45,000 |
|
Personal Carer (Home-based) |
61,000 |
40,870 |
₹33,55,000 |
|
Meal Prep Assistant |
44,000 |
29,480 |
₹24,20,000 |
|
Home Cleaner (Contractual) |
47,000 |
31,450 |
₹25,85,000 |
|
Companion for Elderly |
54,000 |
36,180 |
₹29,70,000 |
|
Domestic Manager |
72,000 |
48,240 |
₹39,60,000 |
Eligibility Criteria |
Details / Requirements |
|---|---|
|
Visa Type |
Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (subclass 482) |
|
Job Offer / Sponsorship |
Required for TSS and Employer-Sponsored Visas. An Australian employer must nominate the applicant. |
|
Work Experience |
1–2 years experience in household work, aged care, childcare, or related fields preferred. |
|
Qualifications |
Not always mandatory, but Certificate III or IV in Individual Support, Aged Care, or Childcare is highly valued. |
|
English Language Requirement |
IELTS score of 5.0 to 5.5 (for TSS and skilled visas) |
|
Health and Character Checks |
Mandatory medical exam and police clearance from home country and Australia. |
|
Age Limit |
Generally 18–45 years for most visa categories. |
|
Background Checks |
Required if working with children, elderly, or disabled individuals (e.g. Working With Children Check). |
|
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) |
Can be used to gain formal recognition of previous experience and qualify for relevant certifications in Australia. |
|
Proof of Funds |
Required for Student and Working Holiday visas to prove ability to support oneself initially. |
Job Profile |
General Roles and Responsibilities |
|---|---|
|
1. Housekeeper |
Cleaning, laundry, ironing, organizing, managing household supplies, and sometimes cooking. |
|
2. Cleaner (Residential) |
Dusting, vacuuming, mopping, cleaning bathrooms and kitchens, taking out trash. |
|
3. Nanny |
Childcare, meal prep, school pick-up/drop-off, organizing activities, homework support. |
|
4. Babysitter |
Supervising children short-term, feeding, bedtime routine, entertainment, and ensuring safety. |
|
5. Aged Care Worker |
Personal hygiene support, medication reminders, meal preparation, mobility assistance, companionship. |
|
6. Disability Support Worker |
Assisting with daily living activities, transport, personal care, emotional support, and community outings. |
|
7. Live-in Housekeeper |
Same as housekeeper, but typically includes 24/7 availability and accommodation within the home. |
|
8. Live-in Nanny |
Childcare plus overnight supervision, cooking, cleaning, school activities, and light housework. |
|
9. Personal Carer |
Helping individuals with dressing, bathing, eating, grooming, and light household tasks. |
|
10. Private Cook/Chef |
Planning and preparing meals, managing kitchen inventory, accommodating dietary needs and preferences. |
|
11. Domestic Assistant |
Light cleaning, grocery shopping, basic cooking, laundry, and running household errands. |
|
12. Gardener (Residential) |
Mowing, weeding, planting, pruning, watering, landscaping, and garden maintenance. |
|
13. Pet Sitter |
Feeding, walking, grooming, administering medication, and providing companionship for pets. |
|
14. Dog Walker |
Walking dogs, providing exercise, cleaning up after them, and basic behavioral handling. |
|
15. Laundry Assistant |
Washing, drying, folding, ironing, organizing clothes and linen, and handling delicate items. |
|
16. Childcare Worker (Home-based) |
Engaging in educational play, preparing meals/snacks, hygiene care, and safety monitoring. |
|
17. Meal Prep Assistant |
Assisting in food preparation, chopping, cleaning kitchen equipment, packaging meals. |
|
18. Companion for Elderly |
Social interaction, conversation, emotional support, reading, games, and light household help. |
|
19. Home Cleaner (Contractual) |
One-off or scheduled cleaning services including deep cleaning, window cleaning, and sanitizing. |
|
20. Domestic Manager |
Overseeing all domestic staff, scheduling, budgeting, organizing events, managing household supplies. |
Job Profile |
Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
|
1. Housekeeper |
Basic cleaning experience, functional English, no formal qualification required, police check. |
|
2. Cleaner (Residential) |
Entry-level, no formal qualification, some cleaning experience preferred, physical fitness. |
|
3. Nanny |
Experience with children, Working with Children Check, first aid/CPR, good English, childcare references. |
|
4. Babysitter |
Informal experience acceptable, must be 18+, Working with Children Check, trustworthy and reliable. |
|
5. Aged Care Worker |
Certificate III in Aged Care or Individual Support, first aid, police clearance, fluent English. |
|
6. Disability Support Worker |
Certificate III/IV in Disability or Individual Support, NDIS Worker Check, first aid, English proficiency. |
|
7. Live-in Housekeeper |
Similar to housekeeper, must be available full-time, trustworthy, flexible, with background check. |
|
8. Live-in Nanny |
Relevant nanny or childcare experience, flexible availability, first aid, live-in arrangement suitability. |
|
9. Personal Carer |
Aged/disability care experience, Certificate III preferred, empathy and communication skills, police check. |
|
10. Private Cook/Chef |
Cooking experience or culinary training, understanding of food safety, meal planning skills. |
|
11. Domestic Assistant |
General housekeeping experience, basic English, police clearance, no formal education needed. |
|
12. Gardener (Residential) |
Gardening experience, physical fitness, tool handling skills, sometimes a driver’s license. |
|
13. Pet Sitter |
Love for animals, basic pet care knowledge, police clearance, references, sometimes pet first aid. |
|
14. Dog Walker |
Physically fit, responsible, knowledge of dog behavior, availability during day hours. |
|
15. Laundry Assistant |
Basic laundry/ironing knowledge, attention to detail, experience handling delicate items preferred. |
|
16. Childcare Worker (Home-based) |
Certificate III in Early Childhood, first aid, Working with Children Check, police clearance. |
|
17. Meal Prep Assistant |
Cooking or kitchen helper experience, understanding of hygiene and safety, no formal qualification needed. |
|
18. Companion for Elderly |
Friendly personality, aged care interest, basic support knowledge, police check, sometimes training needed. |
|
19. Home Cleaner (Contractual) |
Self-employed or agency-based, must have cleaning tools, ABN (for self-employed), liability insurance. |
|
20. Domestic Manager |
Experience in supervising staff, budgeting, scheduling, strong English and management skills. |
Job Profile |
Experience Required |
|---|---|
|
1. Housekeeper |
1–2 years in residential or hotel housekeeping preferred. |
|
2. Cleaner (Residential) |
6 months to 1 year preferred, but entry-level roles available. |
|
3. Nanny |
Minimum 1–2 years of childcare experience; references usually required. |
|
4. Babysitter |
Informal experience (e.g., caring for siblings) often accepted; formal not required. |
|
5. Aged Care Worker |
6 months to 1 year in care settings; Certificate III in Aged Care often required. |
|
6. Disability Support Worker |
1–2 years preferred; practical experience during training is highly valued. |
|
7. Live-in Housekeeper |
2+ years in housekeeping; live-in experience an advantage. |
|
8. Live-in Nanny |
2+ years in childcare or nanny roles; live-in experience preferred. |
|
9. Personal Carer |
6 months to 1 year in aged or disability care; Certificate III preferred. |
|
10. Private Cook/Chef |
2–3 years in private homes or commercial kitchens; formal culinary training helpful. |
|
11. Domestic Assistant |
6 months to 1 year general household work experience ideal. |
|
12. Gardener (Residential) |
1 year in gardening, landscaping, or grounds maintenance preferred. |
|
13. Pet Sitter |
Informal experience with pets acceptable; formal pet care experience preferred. |
|
14. Dog Walker |
No formal experience needed, but some familiarity with dog handling expected. |
|
15. Laundry Assistant |
6 months+ in hotel, dry cleaning, or household laundry preferred. |
|
16. Childcare Worker (Home-based) |
1–2 years in formal childcare; Certificate III usually required. |
|
17. Meal Prep Assistant |
6 months in home kitchens, cafes, or helper roles ideal; hygiene knowledge needed. |
|
18. Companion for Elderly |
No formal experience needed; 6 months+ in community or home care is a plus. |
|
19. Home Cleaner (Contractual) |
1 year+ preferred; agencies often train new recruits. |
|
20. Domestic Manager |
3–5 years managing staff in private households or estates required. |
Company / Agency |
Type of Jobs |
Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
|
Ozcare |
Aged care, personal carers |
National provider with visa sponsorship opportunities for aged and disability carers. |
|
KinCare |
In-home care, support workers |
Often hires support workers for elderly and NDIS clients; training provided. |
|
Australian Home Care Services |
Personal carers, disability support |
Recruits nationally; accepts applications from international candidates with work rights. |
|
Smart Au Pairs |
Nannies, au pairs |
Matches international au pairs with Australian families; visa guidance available. |
|
Prestige Inhome Care |
Aged care, domestic assistants |
Offers roles for experienced carers and assistants; supportive of skilled migrants. |
|
Helping Hand |
Aged care, housekeeping, food service |
Operates in South Australia; welcomes overseas-trained care workers. |
|
Dial-An-Angel |
Nannies, housekeepers, aged carers |
High-end domestic staffing; often hires nannies and carers with prior experience. |
|
Absolute Domestics |
Cleaners, housekeepers |
One of the largest cleaning agencies; frequently hires international workers. |
|
Guardian Childcare & Education |
Childcare workers, nannies |
Requires Certificate III; supportive of student visa holders and trained migrants. |
|
Goodstart Early Learning |
Childcare educators |
Large employer; skilled visa holders with childcare qualifications may apply. |
|
Better Caring / Mable |
Freelance carers, disability support |
Online platform for care work; requires ABN and background checks. |
|
Conexson |
Disability and aged care staff |
Registered NDIS provider hiring support workers; provides flexible shifts. |
|
Nextt |
Disability support workers |
Works with NDIS participants; offers career growth and supports trained migrants. |
|
Helping Hands Nursing Agency |
Live-in carers, aged support |
Specialist in live-in and short-term nursing care; sponsors eligible candidates. |
|
Rockmybaby® Australia |
Nannies, maternity nurses, babysitters |
International nanny placement agency; often matches overseas nannies with families. |
|
Affinity Education Group |
Childcare educators |
Offers full-time jobs across Australia; recognized for hiring qualified foreigners. |
|
Just Better Care |
Support workers, domestic assistants |
Franchised network of in-home care agencies; hires carers and assistants regularly. |
|
BlueCare |
Aged care, cleaning staff |
Large employer in Queensland; multiple roles for domestic and aged care support. |
|
Nurse Next Door |
Home support workers |
Private in-home care service provider; hires compassionate carers and cleaners. |
|
Jitjatjo Australia |
On-demand cleaners, meal prep staff |
App-based platform for hospitality and domestic work; suitable for visa holders. |
Job Profile |
Avg. Salary (AUD/year) |
Job Requirements |
Top Hiring Companies |
General Roles and Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Housekeeper |
55,000 |
1–2 yrs experience, basic English, police check |
Dial-An-Angel, Absolute Domestics |
Cleaning, laundry, ironing, organizing, and maintaining household order. |
|
Cleaner (Residential) |
52,000 |
Entry-level, physical fitness, time management |
Absolute Domestics, Jitjatjo |
General home cleaning: mopping, dusting, vacuuming, and trash removal. |
|
Nanny |
60,000 |
1–2 yrs childcare experience, First Aid, Working with Children Check |
Smart Au Pairs, Rockmybaby, Guardian |
Childcare, meal prep, educational play, school drop/pick-up, homework help. |
|
Babysitter |
35,000 (part-time) |
18+, informal childcare experience, good communication |
Rockmybaby, private families |
Supervision of children, feeding, playing, bedtime routines. |
|
Aged Care Worker |
62,000 |
Certificate III, 6–12 months experience, First Aid, police check |
Ozcare, KinCare, BlueCare |
Assist elderly with daily tasks: personal care, mobility, medication support. |
|
Disability Support Worker |
64,000 |
Certificate III/IV, NDIS Worker Check, First Aid |
Nextt, Mable, Conexson |
Support for people with disabilities: hygiene, mobility, community access. |
|
Live-in Housekeeper |
58,000 + housing |
2+ yrs experience, flexible availability, background check |
Private households, Dial-An-Angel |
Deep cleaning, cooking, errands, household organization; resides on-site. |
|
Live-in Nanny |
65,000 + housing |
2+ yrs nannying, First Aid, references |
Smart Au Pairs, private families |
Full childcare, overnight care, homework help, meal prep; resides on-site. |
|
Personal Carer |
61,000 |
Care experience, Certificate III preferred, police clearance |
Helping Hand, Prestige Inhome Care |
Personal hygiene, mobility help, companionship, and meal assistance. |
|
Private Cook/Chef |
70,000 |
2–3 yrs cooking experience, food safety knowledge, references |
Private families, Dial-An-Angel |
Meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking daily meals or special diets. |
|
Domestic Assistant |
48,000 |
6+ months household help experience, police check |
Just Better Care, KinCare |
Light cleaning, errands, laundry, meal help, and grocery shopping. |
|
Gardener |
50,000 |
1+ yr gardening experience, physical fitness |
Private homes, local councils |
Mowing, pruning, planting, landscaping, and general garden care. |
|
Pet Sitter |
40,000 |
Animal care experience, trustworthy, references |
Mad Paws, private clients |
Feeding, walking, grooming, and overnight pet supervision. |
|
Dog Walker |
38,000 |
Basic dog handling knowledge, availability, physically fit |
Mad Paws, Rover, private clients |
Daily or routine dog walking, cleanup, and behavioral monitoring. |
|
Laundry Assistant |
45,000 |
6+ months experience, care for fabrics, attention to detail |
Absolute Domestics, private homes |
Washing, drying, ironing, folding clothes and linens. |
|
Childcare Worker (Home-based) |
59,000 |
Certificate III in Early Childhood, First Aid, Working with Children Check |
Guardian, Goodstart, Affinity |
Care and supervision of children, learning activities, hygiene, and play. |
|
Meal Prep Assistant |
44,000 |
Kitchen help experience, hygiene knowledge, no certification needed |
Private families, chefs, Jitjatjo |
Preparing meals, chopping, packaging, cleaning kitchen tools. |
|
Companion for Elderly |
54,000 |
Caring nature, basic English, aged care experience helpful |
Prestige Inhome Care, Nurse Next Door |
Emotional support, reading, conversation, games, and light tasks. |
|
Home Cleaner (Contractual) |
47,000 |
1+ yr experience preferred, self-employed ABN optional |
Absolute Domestics, Jitjatjo, Helpling |
Contract-based cleaning: deep cleans, sanitizing, bathrooms, kitchens, and windows. |
|
Domestic Manager |
72,000 |
3–5 yrs managing staff, strong English, budgeting and scheduling skills |
Private households, high-net-worth families |
Oversee household staff, manage household budgets, events, and maintenance schedules. |
Visa Type |
Subclass |
Suitable For |
Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa |
482 |
Skilled roles like aged care, disability support |
Employer sponsorship required, up to 4 years stay, pathway to PR (subclass 186). |
|
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa |
494 |
Aged care, disability care in regional areas |
Sponsored by regional employers, leads to PR after 3 years. |
|
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) |
186 |
Permanent skilled positions |
Direct PR, employer nomination required, for higher skilled roles. |
|
Working Holiday Visa |
417 / 462 |
Short-term jobs like cleaning, pet care, nanny |
Age 18–30 (or 35 for some countries), work up to 6 months per employer. |
|
Student Visa |
500 |
Part-time roles while studying |
Up to 48 hours of work per fortnight, good for roles like babysitting or cleaning. |
|
Training Visa |
407 |
On-the-job training roles in care or domestic work |
Suitable for gaining Australian experience, sponsor needed. |
|
Skilled Independent Visa |
189 |
Highly qualified individuals (e.g. aged/disability carers) |
Points-tested, PR without sponsorship, limited to specific skilled roles. |
|
Skilled Nominated Visa |
190 |
State-sponsored skilled jobs |
PR visa with nomination by an Australian state or territory. |
|
Temporary Graduate Visa |
485 |
Recent graduates in Australia |
Allows post-study work for up to 4 years; may lead to PR. |
|
Visitor Visa (with Domestic Worker Stream) |
n/a |
Private domestic workers traveling with employer |
Rare and only applicable under specific conditions (e.g. diplomats). |
