Stakeholders from across government, community organisations and partner countries came together in Sydney for the third Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme disengagement stakeholder briefing.
Held on Friday 26 June 2026, the briefing provided an opportunity to strengthen connections and share insights on how to better prevent, detect and respond to PALM scheme worker disengagement.
Working together to address disengagement
The session brought together representatives from Australian Government agencies, partner countries, local government, community and faith leaders, service providers and industry. The NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner and the Migrant Justice Institute also joined the discussion, contributing valuable perspectives on worker vulnerability and protections.
The briefing opened with a prayer from the Reverend Cliff Berg, reflecting the important role of faith and community networks in supporting PALM scheme workers.
Updates on support services and visa pathways
Presentations from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), the Department of Home Affairs and the Fair Work Ombudsman provided updates on disengagement, available support services, and options for workers, including lawful visa pathways, re-engagement opportunities and assistance with pay and employment conditions.
Community voices and stakeholder insights
The session created a collaborative space for open discussion, with stakeholders highlighting the importance of clear communication, community outreach and strong on-the-ground engagement.
NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner Dr James Cockayne emphasised the importance of collaboration, noting,
We are all here finding ways to make people feel safer, and raise any concerns.
Stakeholders also reinforced that open dialogue is critical and maintaining a visible and trusted presence within communities is key to supporting workers.
Enhancing support for PALM scheme workers
DEWR’s Assistant Secretary, Dr Patrick Bryson also outlined ongoing work to strengthen onshore education for workers, including initiatives on gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, and road safety.
Stakeholders acknowledged improvements in government processes and engagement, while identifying opportunities to continue strengthening support for workers – particularly through better understanding of visa pathways, employment conditions and community-based assistance.
Continuing the collaborative approach
The Australian Government remains committed to working with stakeholders to build on these insights and continue strengthening the PALM scheme to better support workers, employers and communities.
Two further stakeholder briefings are planned for 2026, continuing this collaborative approach to addressing disengagement and improving outcomes across the program.
