The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme allows eligible Australian businesses to hire workers from 9 Pacific islands and Timor-Leste when there are not enough local workers available.
Through the PALM scheme, eligible businesses can recruit workers for short-term jobs for up to 9 months or long-term roles for between one and 4 years in unskilled, low-skilled and semi-skilled positions.
The PALM scheme helps to fill labour gaps in rural and regional Australia and nationally for agriculture and select agriculture-related food product manufacturing sectors by offering employers access to a pool of reliable, productive workers. It also allows Pacific and Timor-Leste workers to take up jobs in Australia, develop their skills and send income home.
Minimum hours to continue employment security for PALM scheme workers
The Australian Government is continuing its support of Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme workers by making the current minimum hours requirement ongoing post 31 March 2026.
After careful review and widespread consultation, the Australian Government has decided to keep the requirement for employers to provide short-term PALM scheme workers a minimum 120 hours of work over four weeks.
This will continue to ensure income security for workers to pay for their living expenses, while allowing PALM scheme employers flexibility to deal with unexpected disruptions, such as natural disasters.
There has been strong compliance by employers to their minimum hours obligations which are protecting PALM scheme workers employed in the seasonal agriculture and horticulture sectors.
The Australian Government is committed to listening to stakeholders to strengthen the PALM scheme for employers, workers and their families and communities in the Pacific and Timor-Leste.
The current minimum hour settings have been made ongoing following consideration of PALM scheme employer, industry, union, worker and partner country feedback as part of Phase 1 of the Review into the impact of key PALM scheme deed and guidelines settings.
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations will continue to undertake monitoring and assurance activities to ensure ongoing compliance.
For more information, please refer to the factsheet and frequently asked questions on minimum hours
Want to join the PALM scheme as an employer?
If you are an Australian business needing additional workers you may be able to source them through the PALM scheme. You will need to check your eligibility and the requirements you will need to meet.
Australian businesses can access PALM scheme workers either by applying to become an approved employer or recruiting through an approved PALM scheme labour hire company.
Learn more about becoming an approved employer.
Want to join the PALM scheme as a worker?
If you are a resident of one of the participating countries and want to apply to join the PALM scheme, you will need to check your eligibility and contact your country’s labour sending unit.
Learn more about signing up as a worker.
Supporting workers while they are living in Australia
The wellbeing of Pacific and Timor-Leste workers in Australia is of the highest priority for the Australian Government. All participating workers have the same rights and protections as Australian workers.
A range of measures is in place to protect workers, including stringent employer vetting, a rigorous monitoring and compliance framework, regular spot checks and a support service phone line. Workers are also encouraged and supported to connect to their local communities across Australia.
Learn more about PALM scheme employers' obligations to ensure workers are supported, or read the PALM scheme grievance management policy.