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.
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 to ensure workers are supported, or read the PALM scheme grievance management policy.
PALM and Tonga
Labour mobility is central to our partnership. The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (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. Our current cooperation includes:
- Approximately 3000 workers are currently in Australia under the PALM Scheme. This number has steadily declined and stabilised since April 2022 when 6035 workers participated.
- Support to the Ministry of Internal Affairs Overseas Employment Division such as:
- 14 staff positions (until September 2025), and three technical advisers.
- Community outreach, work-ready tests, pre-departure briefings and trainings, and support for the Recruitment Database.
- Secretariat support to the National Labour Mobility 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 for three Country Liaison Officers, based in Australia to support Tongan workers.
- A Social Impact Study on Labour Mobility focused on the domestic impacts of temporary labour migration in Tonga.
- Exposure visits to Australia to meet with workers, employers and Australian government agencies to discuss implementation and improvements to the scheme.
- Support to translate worker’s contracts into local languages.
- Tonga is one of several countries piloting a Family Accompaniment model where partners and dependents can join their loved ones working under the PALM scheme.
- In 2024, the scheme expanded to include aged care with plans to further expand to the Early Childhood Education sector and Hospitality.