Connecting with our stakeholders
The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme is Australia’s primary temporary migration program addressing low, semi and unskilled workforce shortages in rural and regional Australia and nationally for agriculture and select agriculture-related food product manufacturing sectors. It addresses short-term (seasonal) and long-term workforce demands in Australia, where there is demonstrated unmet workforce shortages.
Stakeholder engagement and consultation are embedded in the PALM scheme, with avenues for discussion and feedback through a range of mechanisms including through peak bodies.
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) are committed to listening to stakeholders to ensure the PALM scheme continues to deliver for employers, workers and their families and communities in the Pacific and Timor-Leste.
Our consultative approach to labour mobility
DEWR and DFAT embedded consultative arrangements to provide a broad range of PALM scheme stakeholders with a mechanism to consult and engage directly and regularly with the departments and actively contribute to the PALM scheme, Australia’s key labour mobility program. These arrangements include:
- PALM Strategic Consultative Group
- PALM Operational Consultative Group
- PALM Industry Consultative Group
- PALM Commonwealth, State and Territory Consultative Group
These groups are made up of employer representatives, industry peak bodies, Pacific government representatives as well as representatives from the Pacific diaspora in Australia, unions, community organisations and representatives from Australian Government agencies with an interest in the PALM scheme.
Collectively, these groups will help to strengthen stakeholder engagement with the delivery of the PALM scheme by:
- contributing to the ongoing success of the PALM scheme
- identifying and assisting in the resolution of issues that impede positive outcomes for workers, employers, communities and participating countries
- sharing information and ideas about program improvements and best practice, including the future direction of Pacific-Australia labour mobility.
Connecting with our communities
Engaging with our stakeholders is an important part of the PALM scheme. Outside of the formal engagement and consultation fora, DEWR actively engages with PALM scheme workers, employers, host communities and other key stakeholders to ensure their voices are heard and feedback informs program improvements. We do this through:
- a regional footprint with departmental staff located in regions with high participation in the scheme
- PALM scheme regional engagement fora
- community engagement fora
- attending industry events, conferences and other significant events
- collaboration with local councils
- participation in local community events
- meetings with the DFAT and heads of mission and Ambassadors of PALM scheme countries
- regular engagement with country liaison officers
- monitoring visits and visits by senior officials.
Opportunities to have your say on the PALM scheme
Stakeholders can also call the PALM scheme support service line on (1800 51 51 31) between 8:30 am to 6:30 pm AEST or email (palm@dewr.gov.au) to raise any issues or concerns about the scheme’s operations or policies.
The department also undertakes regular consultation on a range of key operational and policy settings. To discover which topics are open for consultation visit our consultation hub.