The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) initiative permits qualified Australian enterprises to engage workers from nine Pacific islands and Timor-Leste in instances where local labor is insufficient. Under the PALM program, eligible businesses have the opportunity to hire workers for short-term assignments lasting up to nine months or for long-term positions spanning one to four years, encompassing unskilled, low-skilled, and semi-skilled roles. 

​

​By facilitating this labor exchange, the PALM initiative addresses workforce shortages in rural and regional areas of Australia, as well as on a national scale within the agriculture and specific agriculture-related food product manufacturing sectors. It provides employers with access to a reliable and productive workforce, contributing to the overall productivity of these industries. Additionally, the PALM scheme enables workers from Pacific islands and Timor-Leste to secure employment in Australia, fostering skill development and allowing them to send income back to their home countries.