Labour mobility is central to Australia’s engagement with the Pacific and Timor-Leste, and the benefits flow both ways. With Australia’s 2023 International Development Policy driving the need for “genuine partnerships based on respect, listening, and learning,” it’s no surprise that Australia Pacific labour mobility sits steady as a long-term policy commitment.

For the past few years, Pacific and Timorese workers participating in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme have been an essential part of Australia’s rural and regional workforce, supported by the Australian Government funded Pacific Labour Facility (PLF), which is managed by Palladium. The scheme allows eligible Australian businesses to hire workers from nine Pacific islands and Timor-Leste when there are not enough local workers available. Businesses can recruit workers for seasonal jobs for up to nine months or for longer-term roles for between one and four years in low-skilled, and semi-skilled positions.

As Australia continues to expand and improve the PALM scheme, greater support will be channelled through the new Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program, which Palladium has just been awarded.

“In bidding for this program, Palladium drew on everything we’ve learnt and achieved implementing the Pacific Labour Facility over the past 6 years,” explains Jack Adams, Palladium’s new APAC Managing Director.

“Labour mobility opportunities not only promote economic growth but help forge people to people connections and build a stronger and more integrated Pacific neighbourhood,” he explains. “The PLF team were vital in helping to expand participation in the PALM scheme, especially given the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and regional border restrictions.”

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade estimates that between July 2018 and December 2021, short-term PALM workers remitted on average AU$1061 a month, while long-term workers remitted around AU$1310, equating to almost 40% of their monthly income. With the money PALM scheme workers are earning in Australia, they are building new homes, putting kids through school and kick-starting businesses in tourism and hospitality, farming, and other sectors in the Pacific.

Gavin Murray, Palladium Project Director for the PLF, says that looking forward, worker wellbeing will continue to be a crucial part of the program’s success.

“We know from experience that better and more inclusive preparation of workers and families leads to productive and happy workers, satisfied employers, cohesive communities, and successful reintegration. We want to ensure that workers receive the right information in the right format, at the right time, and in a culturally and linguistically appropriate way,” explains Murray.

He adds that the new program will also have a clear plan for greater national ownership. “Labour mobility is a two-way street, and we understand that sending countries are seeking tailored involvement in the PALM scheme. As part of the new program, we’ll collaborate with Pacific partners to build the systems, partnerships, evidence-based policies and connections to regional and Australian stakeholders.”

Palladium’s team will also continue to support the PALM scheme technology program, developed under the PLF. Operating in Australia and across the 10 sending countries, the platform is fundamental to the management of the PALM scheme. In some countries, it is also being used as a broader recruitment tool to link workers with employers.

“We’ll continue to support this important IT infrastructure and improve the In Country Recruitment Databases,” says Murray. “This includes exploring new ways for Pacific Governments to communicate with candidates and workers, capture worker feedback and data, and deliver education and skill services.”

To learn more, contact info@thepalladiumgroup.com.