Employers
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, employers can access both short-term workers (up to 9 months) and long-term workers (between one and 4 years) through a single application.
Worker wellbeing is central to the PALM scheme and employers must ensure workers are supported throughout their time in Australia.
How to become a PALM scheme employer
Your entity or business must undergo a series of eligibility checks to ensure you are reputable, financially sound and operationally able to fulfil the requirements of the scheme.
Step-by-step process for businesses to join the scheme
Step 1: Temporary Activity Sponsorship
- Before applying, you will need to become a temporary activities sponsor (TAS) through the Department of Home Affairs. This sponsorship allows an employer to sponsor individuals for specific temporary visas in Australia. An application to join the PALM scheme will not be considered until your business is an approved temporary activities sponsor.
Step 2: Preparation
- Understand your requirements and responsibilities under the PALM scheme. Read the employer guidelines and the deed.
- Take our self-assessment survey to assess your readiness for the PALM scheme.
- Review the application form to ensure you have gathered all the required information.
- Ensure you have all documents required for upload prior to completing the online application. This may include:
- 3 years of accountant prepared financial statements (for direct employers)
- 5 years of accountant prepared financial statements (for labour hire providers and contractor entities)
- Workers’ compensation insurance certifications
- Labour hire licence/s (where applicable)
- Deed of Cross Guarantee (if applicable).
Step 3: Application
- Complete the application form online and upload all required documents. (You will be prompted throughout the application to complete it successfully and you can stop and save your progress at any time. Please note: if your application is incomplete, you will not be able to submit it).
Step 4: Assessment
- Your business is assessed against its eligibility, suitability, capability and capacity to meet the employer obligations set out in the PALM scheme Approved Employer Deed and Guidelines.
- The application process comprises a financial viability and credentials assessment, background and integrity checks.
- We will seek information about your business, directors or other associated entities from the Department of Home Affairs, the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) and other relevant Australian Government agencies.
- The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) will interview you to further understand and assess your PALM scheme employer application. The interview will be a structured meeting to discuss your business’s capabilities to meet deed and guidelines obligations. The interview will provide an opportunity to ask any questions you may have regarding the PALM scheme.
Step 5: Notification of outcome
- You will be notified via email once your assessment is complete, including the outcome of your application.
- If your application is successful, you will be sent the PALM scheme deed for signing.
- Once the deed is returned and executed by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, you will be approved as a PALM scheme employer and can start the recruitment process.
- Once all approvals are in place, you can commence recruitment activities with the relevant Pacific or Timor-Leste government labour sending unit/s.
Have questions or need advice?
If you have any queries or need help to understand the application process, please call the support service line (1800 51 51 31), or email (palm@dewr.gov.au).