I’m interested in becoming a PALM scheme employer. Am I eligible? How do I apply?
- 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.
What is the Pacific Engagement Visa and how is it different to the PALM scheme?
- The Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) is a new permanent resident visa for participating countries across the Pacific and Timor-Leste.
How is the Australian Government improving the PALM scheme?
- 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
What has happened to the Pandemic Event (subclass 408) visa?
- 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.
What changes to the PALM scheme were announced in the 2023-24 Federal Budget?
- 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
Lodging a tax return
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Health insurance
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Getting a driver’s licence
Attachment Size Getting a driver's license in Australia November 2023 - English.pdf 95.76 KB Attachment Size Getting drivers license in Australia - Bislama.pdf 149.42 KB Attachment Size Getting drivers license in Australia - Fijian.pdf 143.6 KB Attachment Size Getting drivers license in Australia - Gilbertese.pdf 142.36 KB Attachment Size Getting drivers license in Australia - Nauru.pdf 143.02 KB Attachment Size Getting drivers license in Australia - Samoan.pdf 143.17 KB Attachment Size Getting drivers license in Australia - Solomon Islands Pidgin.pdf 142.94 KB Attachment Size Getting drivers license in Australia - Tetum.pdf 142.83 KB Attachment Size Getting a drivers license in Australia - Tok Pisin.pdf 224.36 KB Attachment Size Getting drivers license in Australia - Tongan.pdf 143.56 KB Attachment Size Getting drivers license in Australia - Tuvaluan.pdf 202.17 KB
Former tourism workers fill aged care labour gaps during COVID-19
When Australia’s COVID-19 travel restrictions kicked in, Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) workers Teremita Loeru, Tiein Taite and Maatai Tamaiti were stood down from their roles in the tourism industry.
Video - 'We can build our country's economy too!'
Joe, James and Junior started working at Queensland Berries in Australia through the Pacific Labour Scheme in early 2021. After only 2 months, they already had clear goals for how they plan to use the money they earn and the skills they learn in Australia when they return home to Solomon Islands.