Video - Church partnership event in Mildura, Victoria
The Victorian Adventist Wantok Church hosted their first church partnership event in May 2021. The event provided the opportunity for Pacific island workers from Robinvale, Mildura and Stawell to connect through prayer, song and stories, as well as sharing a delicious meal.
Why is there a cap on the number of workers that a PALM scheme employer can recruit?
- New PALM scheme employers receive a cap on the number of workers they can hire when entering the scheme.
- Employers can request a review and increase of their recruitment cap when they can demonstrate they have recruited workers for longer than 4 months through the scheme.
How do PALM scheme employers recruit workers?
- Participating country governments may agree to any or all of the following 3 modes of recruitment:
- work-ready pool (government led)
- agents
- direct recruitment.
- The preferred mode of recruitment is the decision of Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste.
When can I recruit under the PALM scheme?
- If you are an approved PALM scheme employer, you can submit recruitment applications at any time.
What if I am not eligible for the PALM scheme?
- If you are not eligible or do not feel you are able to meet the requirements of the PALM scheme, you may wish to work with an approved PALM scheme labour hire firm or contractor. For more information on these, please refer to this list of current PALM scheme employers.
- There are also other government employment services you can use to assist you with your workforce needs.
Who is responsible for paying workers' travel costs?
- PALM scheme employers must organise and pay for the upfront travel costs to and from Australia for their workers, unless workers choose to pay the upfront travel costs themselves.
- Employers must contribute $300 to workers' travel costs.
Who is responsible for paying workers’ visa costs?
- PALM scheme employers are responsible for paying the upfront cost of workers’ visas and submitting visa applications on behalf of workers, with participating countries supporting this process by collating workers’ documentation.
- These costs may be deducted once workers begin employment in accordance with the requirements of the Fair Work Act and the PALM scheme deed.
How can I ensure I have the best chance of success with my application to become a PALM scheme employer?
- For the best chance of success, prospective employers are encouraged to make sure all questions in the application form are answered fully and truthfully.
- Any history of reported non-compliance activities must be disclosed, and employers must demonstrate they have well-considered plans in place to ensure workers’ wellbeing is a key priority.
- It is also important for employers to demonstrate they have the financial resources to cover the upfront and ongoing costs of engaging PALM scheme workers.
I’m interested in becoming a PALM scheme employer. Am I eligible? How do I apply?
- You can find out more by visiting the employer eligibility page on this website. After considering the information and determining if you are eligible, you can apply to become a PALM scheme employer via the online application form.
What is the Pacific Engagement Visa and how is it different to the PALM scheme?
- The Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) is a new permanent resident visa for participating countries across the Pacific and Timor-Leste.