Pacific and Timor-Leste heads of mission from Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme participating countries met with the Albanese Labor Government at Parliament House in Canberra today to discuss the PALM scheme and reflect on its importance for all partner countries.
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth led the meeting, which included discussions to support PALM workers in Australia and strengthen the relationships with Pacific and Timor-Leste partners.
"I was pleased to meet with the heads of mission today and discuss ways we can continue to improve the PALM scheme and its overall success," Minister Rishworth said.
"The Albanese Labor Government strongly values our partnerships with our Pacific island and Timor-Leste neighbours, which provide critical workers that Australian businesses need, as well as important economic development by allowing workers to take up jobs in Australia, build skills and send income to support their families and communities back home.
"Importantly, we want to make sure all PALM workers have a safe, secure and rewarding experience under the scheme.
"I look forward to working together with our regional partners, employers, unions and workers to make sure the PALM scheme continues to meet the critical workforce needs of Australian employers, while supporting workers to make a significant and lasting contribution to their home nations and the region."
Minister Rishworth reiterated the Albanese Labor Government's commitment to strengthening the PALM scheme so it delivers on shared ambitions for skills and opportunities and ensuring eligible Australian employers have access to a reliable and productive PALM workforce.
This included an update on the work of the interdepartmental disengagement taskforce which was established to identify strategies to better prevent, deter, detect and respond to worker disengagement.
Other items on the meeting agenda included drivers' licensing, Country Liaison Officer engagement with regionally placed staff, and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations engagement with partner countries.
PALM scheme heads of mission meet twice annually with the Albanese Labor Government, and the previous meeting was held on 9 December 2024.
PALM scheme heads of mission meeting attendees, Tuesday 15 July 2025:
• Her Excellency, Ms Camilla Solomon, High Commissioner for Nauru
• Her Excellency, Ms Hinauri Petana, High Commissioner for Samoa
• Her Excellency, Ms Inês Maria de Almeida, Ambassador for Timor-Leste
• Ms Laite Ratuvuki, Counsellor for Fiji
• The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
• Australian Government officials from DEWR and DFAT
