What has happened to the Pandemic Event (subclass 408) visa?
- The Pandemic Event (subclass 408) visa will be closed out - in a staged manner. From 2 September 2023, the Pandemic Event visa will only be open to applications from existing Pandemic Event visa holders (with an A$405 visa application charge). The visa will close to all applicants on 1 February 2024.
What changes to the PALM scheme were announced in the 2023-24 Federal Budget?
- The 2023-24 Budget further improves and expands the PALM scheme in line with Australian, Pacific and Timor-Leste aspirations.
- The government will:
- strengthen oversight of domestic operations as part of improved support for PALM scheme workers
- responsibly grow the PALM scheme and better support employers and participating countries
- support more than 1,000 PALM scheme workers to attain formal qualifications over 4 years
- increase support to make it easier for PALM scheme workers to access their superannuation savings when they retur
Lodging a tax return
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Health insurance
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Getting a driver’s licence
Attachment Size Getting a driver's license in Australia November 2023 - English.pdf 95.76 KB Attachment Size Getting drivers license in Australia - Bislama.pdf 149.42 KB Attachment Size Getting drivers license in Australia - Fijian.pdf 143.6 KB Attachment Size Getting drivers license in Australia - Gilbertese.pdf 142.36 KB Attachment Size Getting drivers license in Australia - Nauru.pdf 143.02 KB Attachment Size Getting drivers license in Australia - Samoan.pdf 143.17 KB Attachment Size Getting drivers license in Australia - Solomon Islands Pidgin.pdf 142.94 KB Attachment Size Getting drivers license in Australia - Tetum.pdf 142.83 KB Attachment Size Getting a drivers license in Australia - Tok Pisin.pdf 224.36 KB Attachment Size Getting drivers license in Australia - Tongan.pdf 143.56 KB Attachment Size Getting drivers license in Australia - Tuvaluan.pdf 202.17 KB
Former tourism workers fill aged care labour gaps during COVID-19
When Australia’s COVID-19 travel restrictions kicked in, Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) workers Teremita Loeru, Tiein Taite and Maatai Tamaiti were stood down from their roles in the tourism industry.
Video - 'We can build our country's economy too!'
Joe, James and Junior started working at Queensland Berries in Australia through the Pacific Labour Scheme in early 2021. After only 2 months, they already had clear goals for how they plan to use the money they earn and the skills they learn in Australia when they return home to Solomon Islands.
Learning new skills in Australia – and starting businesses back home
At Mossmont Nurseries in Griffith, New South Wales, seasonal workers from Timor-Leste are not only learning valuable tree-growing skills, they are also cultivating the future health and wealth of their families back home.
Video - Postcard from Brisbane, Queensland to Kiribati
The COVID-19 pandemic forced I-Kiribati tourism workers Retati 'Rita' Tekaai, Maatai Tamaiti and Tereimita Ioeru into new industries that had labour shortages. In a message home to family and friends, Retati says they are staying positive in true I-Kiribati style, being happy, confident and laughing all the time.
Solomon Islanders are supported by their community in Australia
In March 2020, Stephen Tani joined the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) with 9 other men from Solomon Islands, and was soon recruited by RWM to work in an abattoir in Ararat, Victoria. Not long after the group had settled in, the COVID-19 pandemic struck and changed everything.