• The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme allows eligible Australian businesses to hire workers from 9 Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste when there are not enough local workers available. 
• PALM scheme employers can hire workers to fill unskilled, low-skilled or semi-skilled positions for short-term placements of up to 9 months or long-term placements of between one and 4 years.
• Short-term and long-term workers can be employed in all regional and rural postcodes, except for agriculture and agriculture-related food product manufacturing, where there are no postcode restrictions.
• Businesses who meet the eligibility criteria can apply to become an approved employer and hire from either or both cohorts of workers under the PALM scheme.

• The Seasonal Worker Programme and the Pacific Labour Scheme were consolidated into the single PALM scheme in July 2023, with a single program deed and guidelines.

• Under the PALM scheme there are 2 cohorts of workers:
  • short-term workers who can access a multi-year visa to return to Australia for placements of up to 9 months each year for 4 years
  • long-term workers who can work in placements of between one and 4 years.

• The PALM scheme is managed by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
• DEWR and DFAT will continue to work closely with other responsible government agencies including the Department of Home Affairs, Australian Border Force and the Fair Work Ombudsman to ensure the integrity of the scheme is maintained.

• Please contact the PALM scheme support service line at (1800 515 131) if you have any questions, or email (palm@dewr.gov.au). Please note the support service line and email inbox are monitored 8.30 am to 6.30 pm AEST – calls after hours should be for critical incidents only.

• On 4 April 2022, the Subclass 403 Temporary Work (International Relations) Visa - Pacific Australia Labour Mobility stream came into effect. This created the consolidated PALM scheme visa stream. It extends visa validity for up to 4 years for long-term worker placements and enables eligible short-term workers to transfer into long-term placements onshore.

• PALM scheme employers are required to provide ongoing wellbeing and welfare support for workers as part of their conditions for participation in the scheme.
• A range of measures is in place to protect Pacific and Timor-Leste workers:
  • All PALM scheme employers must meet stringent criteria in order to participate in the scheme. This includes consideration of compliance with Australian workplace relations laws, work health and safety laws, and immigration requirements.
  • The Australian Government has implemented a rigorous monitoring and compliance framework which includes site visits and regular reporting requirements from employers, including analysis of pay data.
  • Monitoring visits can be virtual or in person, announced or unannounced (this includes visiting the worksite or the accommodation site and meeting with workers) and responding to tip-offs on issues.
• Employers are required to appoint a welfare and wellbeing support officer who must meet with all workers in person every fortnight as a minimum. Welfare and wellbeing support persons must be located within a 200 km travel distance of each placement of workers.
• Workers can also access the PALM support service line on (1800 515 131) between 8.30 am and 6.30 pm AEST. Calls after hours should be for critical incidents only.

The PALM scheme grievance management policy provides clear information and guidance on how DEWR will manage grievances (unresolved conflicts) between PALM scheme workers and employers to ensure they are managed in a way that is fair, accessible, responsive, efficient and integrated within the PALM scheme's core business.

The policy will be regularly reviewed and updated as appropriate to ensure it continues to be fit for purpose and is effectively addressing unresolved grievances for PALM scheme workers. 

A PALM scheme grievance lodgement form is also available.

The PALM scheme stakeholder conduct policy reflects the ambition and expectations of the Australian Government that engagement with and between PALM scheme stakeholders, whether in person or by digital means such as emails, phone or online meetings, are respectful and courteous, and enable constructive discussion and progress on issues and concerns. 

The policy aims to ensure all parties are aware of these expectations, and options available to maintain the health and wellbeing of discussion participants if these expectations are not met. 

Read the full PALM scheme stakeholder conduct policy.