PALM Scheme
PALM Scheme Employer Guide
Everything You Need to Know About Hiring Pacific & Vietnamese Workers
Everything You Need to Know About Hiring Pacific & Vietnamese Workers
The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme is an Australian Government program that allows businesses to hire workers from Pacific island nations and Timor-Leste. The scheme was designed to address labour shortages in agriculture, horticulture, meat processing, and other approved sectors across Australia.
The PALM scheme is managed jointly by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR). It provides a structured, compliant pathway for employers to access a reliable workforce while also supporting economic development in participating Pacific nations.
Up to 9 months for seasonal agricultural work. Ideal for peak harvest periods and short-term labour needs in horticulture and agriculture.
1 to 4 years for ongoing roles. Suited to operations that require a stable, consistent workforce across multiple seasons or year-round production.
Workers can be placed in horticulture, agriculture, meat processing, and other approved sectors as determined by the PALM scheme office.
To participate in the PALM scheme, employers must meet a range of requirements designed to protect workers and ensure fair working conditions.
Must be an Approved Employer under the PALM scheme before hiring any workers.
Provide pastoral care and welfare support to all PALM workers throughout their placement.
Arrange accommodation that meets the minimum standards set by the PALM scheme office.
Cover all travel costs including flights to and from the worker's home country.
Pay at least the award minimum wage applicable to the role and sector.
Provide minimum guaranteed hours of work as required under the PALM scheme guidelines.
Meet all workplace health and safety obligations to ensure a safe working environment.
Lodge regular reports with the PALM scheme office as required throughout the placement period.
Access to a dependable pool of workers who are committed to their placements and eager to contribute.
Workers available for both seasonal and long-term roles, giving you flexibility to match your operational needs.
Addresses chronic labour shortages in regional areas where finding local workers is consistently difficult.
Workers can be trained for autonomous machines and basic horticulture roles, making them versatile assets for your operation.
Support from the PALM scheme office throughout the entire placement, from recruitment to repatriation.
Agent Work Force is an approved PALM scheme employer. We take the complexity out of hiring PALM workers so you can focus on running your operation.
We are a fully approved employer under the PALM scheme, ready to supply workers to your operation.
We handle all the compliance and paperwork required by the PALM scheme office on your behalf.
We manage all pastoral care obligations, ensuring workers are supported throughout their placement.
We arrange accommodation and logistics so everything is sorted before workers arrive.
We train workers for your specific operation, whether that's autonomous machinery or hands-on horticulture work.
We also participate in the Vietnam Labour Mobility Arrangement (VLMA), giving you access to an even broader worker pool.
We're an approved PALM scheme employer and we handle everything — compliance, accommodation, logistics, and training. Get in touch and let's get your workforce sorted.