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Vanuatu
A ni-Vanuatu worker picking bananas at Dotti Farms in Queensland

Halo!

 

Vanuatu is part of the chain of Melanesian islands lying to the north-east of Australia.

It is an independent republic with three official languages: Bislama, English and French and its capital, Port Vila, is a 3.5-hour flight from Sydney.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Vanuatu

Vanuatu country fact sheet

Vanuatu 2026 approved agents listing

How to recruit workers from Vanuatu

To recruit workers from Vanuatu under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, an Australian employer must be approved as a PALM scheme employer.

Alternatively, an employer may wish to engage workers through a PALM scheme approved labour hire company

Find out more about becoming a PALM scheme employer.

PALM scheme employers can recruit workers through the Department of Labour Employment Service Unit (ESU) work-ready pool, via direct recruitment or through a licenced recruitment agent.

To find out more about recruitment options or to contact the ESU, phone (+678 33135) or email (gvuti@vanuatu.gov.vu).

How to join the PALM scheme as a worker 

Elaine Luankon from Vanuatu working in hospitality at Cable Beach Resort, Western Australia

Citizens of participating countries must apply to join the PALM scheme through the labour sending unit in their country.

Citizens of Vanuatu who wish to apply for short-term/seasonal or longer-term work through the PALM scheme can contact (gvuti@vanuatu.gov.vu).

You do not need to pay or give gifts to anyone to join the PALM scheme. If you have been offered a job in the PALM scheme, your employer will pay for your flights and some other costs up front so you can travel to Australia. You will need to gradually repay your employer for these costs once you start earning a wage.