Want to join the PALM scheme as a worker?
If you are a resident of one of the participating countries and want to apply to join the PALM scheme, you will need to check your eligibility and contact your country’s labour sending unit. For Tonga, contact the Overseas Employment Division by phone (+676 7401860) or email ([email protected]).
Learn more about signing up as a worker.
Supporting workers while they are living in Australia
The wellbeing of Pacific and Timor-Leste workers in Australia is of the highest priority for the Australian Government. All participating workers have the same rights and protections as Australian workers.
A range of measures is in place to protect workers, including stringent employer vetting, a rigorous monitoring and compliance framework, regular spot checks and a support service phone line. Workers are also encouraged and supported to connect to their local communities across Australia.
Learn more about PALM scheme employers' obligations and the PALM scheme grievance management policy.
PALM and Tonga
Labour mobility is central to our partnership. The PALM scheme has been active since 2012, formerly known as the Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour Scheme. Tonga decides how it participates in the PALM scheme and together we recognise the need to balance the development benefits of overseas opportunities with domestic needs. Around 3000 Tongan workers are currently in Australia under the PALM scheme. Over AUD 352 million in remittances have been sent home by Tongan PALM workers since 2022.
Our current cooperation includes:
- Support to the Ministry of Internal Affairs' Overseas Employment Division such as:
- funding for 13 staff positions, and three technical advisers
- funding for community outreach, work-ready tests, pre-departure briefings and training, and the Recruitment Database
- secretariat support to the Tonga Labour Mobility Steering Committee and Welfare Sub-committee; the Welfare Protection and Family Support Sub-committee; and the National Skills Development Working Group initiative
- communications support such as content collection, social media stories and radio programs
- Funding to support the employment of Country Liaison Officers, based in Australia to support Tongan workers.
- Funding a Family-Centred Assistance Program through which the International Organization for Migration, in partnership with the Government of Tonga, delivers Building Family Futures workshops to strengthen family wellbeing and support successful reintegration.
- Exposure visits to Australia to meet with workers, employers and Australian government agencies to discuss implementation and improvements to the scheme.
- Tonga is one of several countries involved in the family accompaniment pilot, allowing participating PALM workers to bring their families to Australia.