PALM scheme

What if I am not eligible for the PALM scheme?

If you are not eligible or do not feel you are able to meet the requirements of the PALM scheme, you may wish to work with an approved PALM scheme labour hire firm or contractor. For more information on these, please refer to this list of current PALM scheme employers.
There are also other government employment services you can use to assist you with your workforce needs.

PALM scheme employers must organise and pay for the upfront travel costs to and from Australia for their workers, unless workers choose to pay the upfront travel costs themselves.
Employers must contribute $300 to workers' travel costs.

PALM scheme employers are responsible for paying the upfront cost of workers’ visas and submitting visa applications on behalf of workers, with participating countries supporting this process by collating workers’ documentation.
These costs may be deducted once workers begin employment in accordance with the requirements of the Fair Work Act and the PALM scheme deed.

For the best chance of success, prospective employers are encouraged to make sure all questions in the application form are answered fully and truthfully.
Any history of reported non-compliance activities must be disclosed, and employers must demonstrate they have well-considered plans in place to ensure workers’ wellbeing is a key priority.
It is also important for employers to demonstrate they have the financial resources to cover the upfront and ongoing costs of engaging PALM scheme workers.

You can find out more by visiting the employer eligibility page on this website. After considering the information and determining if you are eligible, you can apply to become a PALM scheme employer via the online application form.

The Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) is a new permanent resident visa for participating countries across the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

In addition to the changes announced in the 2023-24 Budget, the Australian Government is implementing its previous commitments aimed at strengthening Australia's Pacific and Timor-Leste partnerships, delivering a comprehensive package of policy reforms to improve and expand the PALM scheme to secure our region and build a stronger Pacific and Timor-Leste family.
The government will allow long-term PALM scheme workers to bring their families to Australia in 2024, enable a further 500 PALM scheme workers to complete their aged care certification, and make short term deploymen

The Pandemic Event (subclass 408) visa will be closed out - in a staged manner. From 2 September 2023, the Pandemic Event visa will only be open to applications from existing Pandemic Event visa holders (with an A$405 visa application charge). The visa will close to all applicants on 1 February 2024.

The 2023-24 Budget further improves and expands the PALM scheme in line with Australian, Pacific and Timor-Leste aspirations.
The government will:
- strengthen oversight of domestic operations as part of improved support for PALM scheme workers
- responsibly grow the PALM scheme and better support employers and participating countries
- support more than 1,000 PALM scheme workers to attain formal qualifications over 4 years
- increase support to make it easier for PALM scheme workers to access their superannuation savings when they retur

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