The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme

The Australian Government operates the PALM scheme, which is central to the Government’s commitment to build a stronger Pacific family.

The PALM scheme delivers jobs for Pacific and Timor-Leste workers, enabling them to develop skills, earn income and support their families back home.  The scheme develops strong links between people, businesses, and communities, fostering deeper connections between Australia and our neighbours.

The PALM scheme helps fill labour gaps, especially in regional and rural Australia, by offering employers access to a pool of reliable, productive workers. Eligible Australian businesses can recruit from 9 Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste when there are not enough local workers available.

The Australian Government is committed to improving and expanding the PALM scheme to deliver for employers, workers and their families and communities in the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

See more information about the The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.

Vietnam Labour Mobility Arrangement

The Australian Agriculture Visa is no longer an available visa product. The Government will honour the Memorandum of Understanding with Vietnam and signed implementation arrangements with Vietnam on 1 March 2024. 

See more information about the Vietnam Labour Mobility Arrangement

Indonesia-Australia Skills Development Exchange Pilot Project

To support people-to-people links and skills development, eligible Australians and Indonesians can undertake work placements for up to six months in the other country. The Indonesia-Australia Skills Development Exchange Pilot Project is a key part of the skills package agreed under the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Australia-United Kingdom Innovation and Early Careers Skills Exchange Pilot (IECSEP)

Innovation and skilled mobility is important to Australia and the UK. Established under the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA), the Australia-United Kingdom Innovation and Early Careers Skills Exchange Pilot will give early career graduates and highly experienced and skilled innovators from the UK the opportunity to live and work in Australia. The IECSEP will launch within one year of the entry-into-force of the A-UKFTA.