What is the Vietnam Labour Mobility Arrangement?
The Vietnam Labour Mobility Arrangement (VLMA) will support the recruitment of up to 1,000 Vietnamese nationals to undertake short-term and long-term agriculture related unskilled, low-skilled and semi-skilled work in Australia for up to 4 years.
Only PALM scheme employers are eligible to recruit workers under the VLMA. The PALM scheme Approved Employer Deed of Agreement and PALM scheme Approved Employer Guidelines will apply, however Vietnam will not be a full participant in the PALM scheme.
Which employers are eligible to participate in the VLMA?
Only PALM scheme employers operating in primary industry sectors will be eligible to recruit Vietnamese workers under this arrangement. An expression of interest (EOI) process for interested PALM scheme employers was held between 26 August and 27 September 2024. Further EOI processes may be undertaken in the future.
What are employers' obligations in relation to the VLMA?
All settings under the current PALM scheme deed and guidelines will apply. Additional guidelines are under development and will outline any additional obligations or points of difference between obligations under the PALM scheme deed and guidelines and the VLMA.
Recruitment methods
Workers will be recruited to participate in the VLMA through 2 offshore pathways.
- Recruitment by the Vietnamese Centre for Overseas Labour (COLAB) – a non-business state organisation.
- Recruitment by Vietnamese enterprises (commercial recruitment agents).
Vietnamese enterprises and non-business state organisations not on the approved list cannot recruit workers as part of the VLMA.
Expression of interest
The EOI process for PALM scheme employers has now closed. To participate in the VLMA, PALM scheme employers are required to meet certain eligibility and selection criteria.
Further EOI processes for PALM scheme employers may be undertaken in the future.
Do you need more information?
For queries related to the overall policy and implementation, including the EOI process, please contact (PALMscheme@dfat.gov.au).
For matters relating to domestic operations, including recruitment plans and approvals, please contact your relationship manager or alternatively you can email (PALM@dewr.gov.au).