PALM Scheme
With over 6,000 workers, PeopleIN is one of the largest provider of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme. Through us, your business gains access to a dedicated workforce from 9 Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste, filling gaps where local employees aren’t available.
PALM is the Right Move
for Your Business
A Reliable, Dedicated Workforce
Consistent, motivated workers ready to boost your operations.
High retention,
low turnover
Say goodbye to the constant cycle of training and hiring.
We handle
everything
From visas to flights and worker support - leaving you free to focus on growth.
Cut costs, raise
productivity
Streamlined recruitment, reduced training costs, and improved output, especially during peak seasons.
Compliance
and care
Our ISO-certified processes ensure your business meets the highest safety and ethical standards.
24/7
support
Dedicated account management and pastoral care for every worker, ensuring satisfaction and performance.
industries we support
PALM is a Win for Workers
The PALM Scheme doesn’t just benefit your business - it helps workers develop new skills and send income back home to support their families and communities. Workers gain:
End-to-End Workforce Management
We manage every detail of recruitment and mobilisation for workers from 10 countries, including:
- Visa and immigration management
- Flights and accommodation
- Onboarding and transport
- Worker finance and insurance
- 24/7 pastoral care and onsite welfare support
Our people, performance, and welfare teams ensure safe and fair employment, giving you peace of mind while boosting your workforce’s performance.
Let’s get to work
Connect with our team, and discover how complete workforce solutions can set your business up for success.
TOM REARDON
PEOPLEIN MD
PALM Scheme
FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the PALM Scheme?
The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme is an Australian Government program, run by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, that lets businesses employ workers from Pacific nations and Timor-Leste where local workers aren't available. It has a short-term stream for seasonal work of up to nine months and a long-term stream for roles of one to four years. PeopleIN supplies workers in both streams.
Do we need to become an Approved Employer to use PALM workers?
No. Businesses can apply to become an Approved Employer, or access PALM workers through an approved labour hire company such as PeopleIN. Using PeopleIN means PeopleIN holds the Approved Employer deed, meets the government's recruitment, accommodation, welfare and reporting rules, and supplies the workers to your site. That removes most of the administration that puts businesses off the scheme.
Which countries do PeopleIN's PALM workers come from?
PALM workers come from Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Timor-Leste. PeopleIN recruits from all ten participating countries.
What does PeopleIN manage for PALM workers?
PeopleIN manages the full PALM process: recruitment in-country, visas and immigration, flights, accommodation, transport, onboarding, worker finance and insurance, and 24/7 pastoral care and onsite welfare support. PeopleIN's processes are ISO-certified and PALM workers have the same rights and protections as Australian employees. Clients get a dedicated account manager, and workers get their own welfare team.
What does it cost to use PALM workers through PeopleIN?
PALM workers are paid the same award or agreement rates as Australian workers in the same role. The Approved Employer pays upfront costs such as flights and can recover travel costs above $300 from workers' wages over time, within the scheme's rules. PeopleIN builds wages, program costs and accommodation into a quoted charge rate.
Which industries can use PALM workers?
PALM workers fill unskilled, low-skilled and semi-skilled roles. PeopleIN places them mainly in agriculture, horticulture, meat processing, fisheries, hospitality and tourism. Long-term placements suit businesses with year-round demand, such as processing plants, while the short-term stream covers harvest and seasonal peaks.
In summary
PeopleIN is one of Australia's largest providers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme, with more than 6,000 workers from nine Pacific nations and Timor-Leste. Businesses can access PALM workers through PeopleIN without becoming an Approved Employer themselves. PeopleIN handles recruitment, visas, flights, accommodation, transport, onboarding, insurance and 24/7 pastoral care and PALM workers sent more than $40 million home through PeopleIN last year.