Video - 'They've done a fantastic job'
Maria and Bela from Timor-Leste are seasonal workers in Tasmania, Australia. Their employers at Burlington Berries couldn't be happier with their work.
Will there be funding available for PALM scheme employers to improve workers’ technical knowledge and abilities?
- The PALM scheme skills development program provides workers from the Pacific and Timor-Leste with access to training while they are working in Australia.
- The program benefits both workers and employers by improving workers’ technical knowledge and abilities and increasing business productivity.
- Funding will be available for PALM scheme employers. These funds are intended to contribute to the costs of both accredited and non-accredited training for workers.
What are the minimum hourly wage guarantees for pieceworkers?
- From 28 April 2022, the Fair Work Commission has made a decision to include a minimum hourly wage guarantee and a requirement to record hours worked by pieceworkers into the Horticulture Award.
How long does an accommodation plan last?
- Accommodation plans will be valid for the duration of the employer’s PALM scheme deed in which they have entered, unless:
- the property, for whatever reason, no longer meets the accommodation minimum standards or,
- the property has changed, and the information provided in the approved accommodation plan is no longer accurate.
- If the approved accommodation plan is no longer accurate, employers must update the plan and resubmit it to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations for approval.
What are the accommodation requirements for the PALM scheme?
- Worker accommodation is provided by PALM scheme employers in accordance with the deed and guidelines.
- Accommodation must:
- be of fair and good value
- have transparent costs
- be fit for purpose and in good condition
- be accessible, safe and secure
- have an adequate number of beds of appropriate size and level of comfort <
How does mutual recognition of approved accommodation plans work under the PALM scheme?
- Accommodation is a challenging aspect of supporting workers while they are in Australia.
- If a PALM scheme employer has had an accommodation site previously approved for the Seasonal Worker Programme or Pacific Labour Scheme, they will not need to complete the standard accommodation plan process.
What is labour market testing?
- Labour market testing is an important part of the recruitment process. It ensures Australian jobseekers are given the opportunity to take up jobs before they are offered to workers under the PALM scheme.
- Under the PALM scheme, employers must submit evidence of labour market testing for each recruitment application.
What is a welfare and wellbeing plan?
- The welfare and wellbeing plan outlines arrangements PALM scheme employers will put in place to ensure the welfare and wellbeing of workers they employ.
- The welfare and wellbeing plan template is provided to approved employers and sets out criteria contained in the employer guidelines.
- This includes the steps that will be taken to ensure workers:
- feel comfortable raising concerns or complaints
- know where and how to access emergency and non-emergenc
What is the timeline from submitting a recruitment application to mobilisation?
- It takes a minimum of 8 weeks to mobilise workers from when a recruitment application is submitted and approved (provided all documentation is ‘decision ready’ at the time of submission).
- In the first few weeks after submitting a recruitment application, approved employers discuss their labour needs with relevant Pacific and Timor-Leste government labour sending units (LSUs).
Video - Building a community of care in Smithton, Tasmania
There are more than 60 Pacific Labour Scheme workers in Smithton, Tasmania, from Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Samoa. They are filling ongoing labour shortages in the area, and are also playing sport, making connections and becoming "like family" to many locals in the community.