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 2025 approved agents listing
Why recruit workers from Vanuatu?
Workers from Vanuatu are skilled in agriculture, horticulture, hospitality and tourism and meat processing work, as well as a range of other industries.
Workers from Vanuatu have a strong track record of participating in labour mobility programs in both Australia and New Zealand.
Graduates from the Australia Pacific Technical Coalition in Vanuatu are qualified to pursue careers across many aspects of the tourism sector. Vanuatu’s economy is primarily agriculture based and workers have skills relevant to Australia’s agriculture and horticulture industries.
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
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.