The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme has a transformational impact on the people, communities and businesses across Australia, the Pacific and Timor-Leste.  

In Australia, the PALM scheme allows hundreds of businesses – especially in rural and regional areas - to hire workers from 9 Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, where they are unable to fill jobs locally.

To better understand the economic impact the PALM scheme has had in Australia, the Australian Government is undertaking the PALM scheme Economic Contribution to Australia (ECA) study.

The ECA study will explore the PALM scheme’s national economic contributions to Australia, contributions to Australian businesses and contributions to select local economies through regional case studies.

The study is expected to be finalised in 2026. This page will be updated with further information closer to publication.  

Australia is deeply grateful to the PALM scheme workers who come to Australia to work, enrich the culture and contribute to communities across the country.