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- New PALM scheme employers receive a cap on the number of workers they can hire when entering the scheme.
- Employers can request a review and increase of their recruitment cap when they can demonstrate they have recruited workers for longer than 4 months through the scheme.
- Participating country governments may agree to any or all of the following 3 modes of recruitment:
- work-ready pool (government led)
- agents
- direct recruitment.
- The preferred mode of recruitment is the decision of Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste.
- If you are an approved PALM scheme employer, you can submit recruitment applications at any time.
- 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.
- 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
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