The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations will explore how the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme is delivering benefits for northern Australia, the Pacific and Timor-Leste, and strengthening our economic and people-to-people links.

The PALM scheme is the primary temporary migration program to address workforce shortages in rural and regional Australia. It offers a reliable and capable workforce to industries and businesses in northern Australia, including in agriculture, horticulture, meatworks, aged care, hospitality and tourism. The scheme also provides significant benefits to the Pacific and Timor-Leste through remittances, a growing skills dividend, and small business development.

The Australian Government is growing and strengthening the scheme including delivering new initiatives and pilots which respond to domestic workforce needs and the aspirations of partner countries.

Key insights from this presentation will include:
• how efforts to grow and strengthen the PALM scheme are supporting workforce shortages and capability, and benefiting communities in northern Australia
• the role of the PALM scheme in linking Australia’s domestic and foreign policy objectives
• opportunities for businesses and industry through the PALM scheme to promote economic, cultural and people-to-people links between northern Australia and the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

The presentation is an opportunity to engage with the PALM scheme and discuss how governments, businesses and communities can work together to deliver economic and development outcomes for northern Australia, the Pacific and-Timor Leste.