Talofa lava!
Samoa lies to the north-east of Fiji and west of the international dateline and consists of 4 inhabited islands and several smaller islands and outcrops.
In 1962, Samoa became the first former territory in the Pacific to become independent.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Samoa
Why recruit workers from Samoa?
Workers from Samoa are experienced in agriculture and horticulture, aged care, meat processing, tourism and hospitality, fisheries and health services, as well as a range of other industries.
Samoan men and women are known for being strong, hardworking and quick to learn.
Through Australian and New Zealand labour mobility programs, Samoans have worked in fruit and vegetable picking and packing, pruning, banana humping, poultry farming, fishing, tourism and meat processing.
How to recruit workers from Samoa
To recruit workers from Samoa under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, an Australian employer must be approved as a PALM scheme employer.
Alternatively, an employer may wish to engage workers through a PALM scheme approved labour hire company.
Find out more about becoming a PALM scheme employer.
PALM scheme employers can recruit workers through the Labour and Employment Export Division (LEEP) work-ready pool or via direct recruitment. Any recruitment outside of this pathway requires notification to LEEP for their endorsement.
LEEP is part of the Ministry of Finance, and recruits, processes and prepares workers for overseas employment.
For more information, please contact LEEP on (+685 344 25) or by email on (all@leep.gov.ws).
How to join the PALM scheme as a worker
Citizens of participating countries must apply to join the PALM scheme through the labour sending unit in their country.
If you are an eligible Samoan citizen interested in registering for the first time, this part of the process is now done through Fono Faavae or Electoral District Councils. Candidates need to bring their passport, birth certificate, references from village mayor and pastor, CV and any relevant work/education qualification/license documentation for registration.
For candidates who have already registered, you do not need to renew your registration, however, you can contact the Labour Employment Export Program for updates on your status via email (all@leep.gov.ws) or call (+685 344 49). You can also find updates on the Labour & Employment Export Program Samoa Facebook page.
LEEP is located at Level 1, SNPF Building Matafele, Samoa.
You do not need to pay or give gifts to anyone to join the PALM scheme. If you have been offered a job in the PALM scheme, your employer will pay for your flights and some other costs up front so you can travel to Australia. You will need to gradually repay your employer for these costs once you start earning a wage.