Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme

The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme enables approved employers to engage workers from Pacific nations and Timor-Leste to fill low- and semi-skilled roles where Australian labour is unavailable.

The Scheme is governed by a Deed of Agreement between approved employers and the Australian Government. The Deed imposes strict obligations, including:

• Provision and oversight of compliant accommodation and transport
• Ongoing worker welfare monitoring and reporting
• Pastoral care, dispute resolution, and cultural support
• Accurate and timely reporting to government agencies
• Ensuring workers receive adequate and lawful hours of work

Failure to meet Deed obligations may result in sanctions, suspension, or loss of approval.

Engaging PALM workers through Agri Labour Australia allows host employers to access the PALM workforce without assuming direct responsibility for Deed compliance.

Becoming an approved PALM employer involves significant compliance, welfare, and reporting obligations.

By engaging through Agri Labour Australia, you access a compliant PALM workforce without taking on the regulatory burden, including:

• Visa sponsorship and immigration compliance
• Compliance with the PALM Deed and Guidelines
• Government reporting, audits, and liaison
• Worker welfare and pastoral care
• Accommodation and transport compliance
• Mobilisation, flights, insurance, and repatriation

Agri Labour Australia is the legal employer of PALM workers.

Host employers retain control over day-to-day work activities, supervision, productivity, and site safety. Agri Labour Australia remains responsible for employment, payroll, visas, welfare, and Deed compliance.

Depending on the visa stream, PALM workers may be employed for up to four years. This provides:

• Workforce continuity
• Reduced recruitment churn
• Productivity improvements over time

The PALM Scheme also includes a seasonal (short-term) stream, allowing workers to participate for 3–9 months per year.

Host employers are responsible for:

• Providing a safe workplace
• Day-to-day supervision and direction
• WHS compliance and site induction
• Fair and respectful treatment of workers

Host employers are not responsible for visas, welfare reporting, accommodation plans, or government liaison.

Accommodation and transport arrangements are agreed prior to mobilisation and may include:

• Agri Labour Australia-managed housing and vehicles
• Host-provided accommodation (subject to compliance checks)
• Hybrid arrangements

All accommodation and transport must meet PALM Deed standards. Informal or non-compliant arrangements are not permitted.

• Treating PALM workers as short-term casual labour
• Underestimating supervision and onboarding requirements
• Assuming immediate productivity parity with experienced local staff
• Overlooking reputational and compliance exposure

Successful PALM engagements require realistic expectations and disciplined site management. While Agri Labour Australia manages scheme risk, outcomes are shared.

Some short-term PALM workers may be eligible to transition to a long-term placement without leaving Australia, subject to visa conditions and approvals.

Long-term PALM workers must spend a mandatory six-month period offshore after four years of participation before commencing another long-term PALM placement.

Agri Labour Australia employs staff from across the Pacific and can provide limited translation support for workers from Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, and Samoa.

We also maintain a range of translated materials that can be provided to host employers.

If a worker is not the right fit, Agri Labour Australia manages performance discussions, redeployment, or replacement in accordance with the PALM Deed and employment obligations.

Host employers are encouraged to raise concerns early so issues can be addressed promptly.