Skybury Tropical Plantation in Mareeba in Queensland joined the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) in 2018, recruiting workers from Papua New Guinea (PNG). The managers were so impressed with the workers that they joined the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS), so they could employ them for longer.  

GraceKate Farms joined the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) in 2012 and has been employing workers from the Pacific islands ever since. The business has now joined the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS), which will allow it to access workers for up to 3 years. Having a returning workforce allows the owners to grow their farm and plan for the future.

Hillwood Berries joined the PALM scheme (formerly the Seasonal Worker Programme) in 2013. The returning workforce has helped to increase the farm’s productivity, and the business now employs workers from 2 different countries.

Bolton Clarke joined the PALM scheme (formerly the Pacific Labour Scheme) in 2017 and now employs workers from Kiribati and Samoa. Like many aged-care providers in regional Australia, it has struggled to fill personal carer and support roles with local workers but found a source of caring a reliable labour through the PALM scheme for its residences at Longreach and Bowen in Queensland.

Angelica Fisheries on the New South Wales south coast joined the PALM scheme (formerly the Pacific Labour Scheme) in 2018. The business had struggled to find local labour and now employs 3 workers from Tuvalu. One of the owners, Steve Basile, says being able to access workers from Pacific island countries saved the business.