The PALM Scheme Explained: How Pacific Workers Can Access Jobs in Australia

For workers across Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Samoa, and other Pacific Island nations, the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme represents a tangible, government-backed pathway to working in Australia. It is not a migration program — it is a labour mobility program. But for the right person in the right circumstances, it can be a life-changing opportunity.

This guide explains what the PALM Scheme is, who it is for, how it works, and how Ferguson Education & Migration can help.

What Is the PALM Scheme?

The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme allows eligible workers from Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste to work in Australia for approved Australian employers in industries where labour is in short supply. The scheme operates in two streams: a seasonal stream (for shorter stays, typically up to nine months, primarily in agriculture and horticulture) and a longer-term stream (for stays of up to four years, in a wider range of industries including aged care, hospitality, and construction).

Workers under the PALM Scheme are employed by Australian employers who have been approved to participate in the program. The scheme is administered by the Australian Government and is subject to strict requirements about worker welfare, wages, and conditions.

Who Can Apply?

To participate in the PALM Scheme, you must be a citizen of an eligible Pacific Island nation or Timor-Leste, meet the health and character requirements for the relevant visa, and be offered employment by an approved employer. The eligible countries include Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Kiribati, Nauru, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, Niue, the Republic of Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau (confirm the current list with the Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, as it is subject to change).

What Are the Industries?

The PALM Scheme was originally focused on agriculture — fruit picking, vegetable harvesting, and farm work. But it has expanded significantly to include aged care and disability support, hospitality and tourism, meat processing, accommodation and cleaning, and construction and infrastructure.

For Pacific Island workers with backgrounds in community care, hospitality, or trades, the PALM Scheme's expansion into these sectors is significant.

What Does Participation Actually Look Like?

A PALM worker travels to Australia under a specific visa tied to their employer. They are paid at Australian minimum wage rates (some of the highest in the world) and are entitled to the same workplace rights and protections as Australian workers under the Fair Work Act. Accommodation is typically arranged by the employer, with costs deducted from wages. At the end of the contract, workers return home. The longer-term stream allows for contract extensions.

The income earned during a PALM Scheme placement can be substantial by Pacific Island standards. For many families, a single placement earns more than several years of local income — and the skills and experience gained are genuine, transferable, and valuable.

How Ferguson Can Help

Ferguson Education & Migration can help both workers and employers navigate the PALM Scheme. For workers, we can explain the process, assess your eligibility, and connect you with approved employers. For employers, we can discuss the workforce matching process.

Importantly, any visa-related assistance we provide in connection with the PALM Scheme is provided by our MARA-registered migration agents in accordance with the Migration Act 1958 and the OMARA Code of Conduct. PALM Scheme participation is subject to Australian Government approval and employer accreditation requirements.

If you are a Pacific Islander interested in work opportunities in Australia, or an Australian employer looking for reliable, hard-working Pacific workers, contact our team today. This is what we do — and we have been doing it for 26 years.