The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme allows eligible Australian businesses to hire workers from 9 Pacific islands and Timor-Leste when there are not enough local workers available.
Through the PALM scheme, eligible businesses can recruit workers for seasonal jobs for up to 9 months or for longer-term roles for between one and 4 years in unskilled, low-skilled and semi-skilled positions.
The PALM scheme helps to fill labour gaps in rural and regional Australia and agriculture nationally by offering employers access to a pool of reliable, productive workers. It also allows Pacific and Timor-Leste workers to take up jobs in Australia, develop their skills and send income home.
Want to join the PALM scheme as an employer?
If you are an Australian business needing additional workers you may be able to source them through the PALM scheme. You will need to check your eligibility and the requirements you will need to meet.
Australian businesses can access PALM scheme workers either by applying to become an approved employer or recruiting through an approved PALM scheme labour hire company.
Learn more about becoming an approved employer.
Want to join the PALM scheme as a worker?
If you are a resident of one of the participating countries and want to apply to join the PALM scheme, you will need to check your eligibility and contact your country’s labour sending unit.
Learn more about signing up as a worker.
Supporting workers while they are living in Australia
The wellbeing of Pacific and Timor-Leste workers in Australia is of the highest priority for the Australian Government. All participating workers have the same rights and protections as Australian workers.
A range of measures is in place to protect workers, including stringent employer vetting, a rigorous monitoring and compliance framework, regular spot checks and a support service phone line. Workers are also encouraged and supported to connect to their local communities across Australia.
Learn more about PALM scheme employers' obligations to ensure workers are supported.
Latest news: Deed and Guidelines stakeholder consultations
The Australian Government continues to work to combine the Seasonal Worker Programme and the Pacific Labour Scheme into the consolidated PALM scheme. At present, the scheme continues to operate under 2 separate Deeds of Agreement and Guidelines.
The Government previously undertook extensive consultations with PALM scheme stakeholders between November 2021 and March 2022. Feedback from these has been incorporated into the draft PALM scheme Deed of Agreement and Guidelines.
Due to recent reforms to the PALM scheme as part of the October 2022 Budget, consultations are now being resumed with key stakeholders to present proposed options for further inclusion into the Deed of Agreement and Guidelines.
Please visit the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website for more information and to register for upcoming consultation webinars.
Please contact (PALMconsultations@dewr.gov.au) if you have any questions.
Strengthening our Pacific and Timor-Leste family
The Australian Government has committed to expanding and reforming the PALM scheme in 2023 to secure our region and build a stronger Pacific and Timor-Leste family.
For more information, please read the PALM scheme reforms factsheet and FAQs.