[ANU Pacific.Institute] May 22, 2025: Special Symposium: Empowering Impact of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme on Tonga and Australia

[George Carter]

Dear Members of Pacific Institute

You are invited to a special conference hosted by the Tongan High Commission in Australia co-hosted by the ANU Pacific Institute


Title: The Empowering Impact of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme on Tonga and Australia

Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025

Time 9.00am-3.00pm

Venue: Physics Auditorium, ANU Research School of Physics<https://www.bing.com/maps?&mepi=127~~Unknown~Address_Link&ty=18&q=ANU%20Research%20School%20of%20Physics&ss=ypid.YN3724x4646311512346551398&ppois=-35.28395462036133_149.1129913330078_ANU%20Research%20School%20of%20Physics_YN3724x4646311512346551398~&cp=-35.283955~149.112991&v=2&sV=1&FORM=MPSRPL>

60 Mills Rd Acton, Australia

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The Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) and the Pacific Labour Scheme(PLS), currently referred to as the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM Scheme), was introduced by the Australian Government in December 2011 and officially commenced in 2012. Tonga has been engaged in bilateral labour agreements with Australia and New Zealand since 2007, fostering a strong collaboration in this area. In September 2021, the Australian Government announced the rebranding of the SWP and the PLS to the PALM scheme. The SWP and the PLS were consolidated into the single PALM scheme in July 2023 under a single program PALM deed and Guidelines. This initiative provides unskilled, low-skilled and semi-skilled work opportunities for short-term placements of up to 9 months or long-term placements between one and four years in rural and regional areas, encompassing vital sectors such as agriculture, agriculture-related food product manufacturing, tourism, hospitality, and aged care. By December 2024, Australia through the PALM scheme had employed up to five thousand Tongan workers in these essential industries.

A commitment to mutual economic development underscores the objectives of the bilateral agreement between Tonga and Australia. The PALM scheme aims to create valuable employment opportunities, facilitate remittances, and offer upskilling pathways, that has and will continue to benefit Australia and Tonga’s economies. Moreover, the PALM scheme represents a significant development opportunity for Tonga, providing financial support directly to local communities. This assistance addresses the everyday needs of families and fosters contributions to local villages, families, and churches, thereby strengthening community ties and enhancing overall well-being.



The objective of the conference for recognition of the positive impacts of the PALM scheme is to showcase success stories from Tongan workers throughout Australia.

- Exchange and sharing of success stories.

- Exchange and share the benefits of the PALM scheme between Tonga and Australia.

- Identify success stories that contributes to the positive demand for Tongan workers.

- Identifying potential challenges from Tonga perspectives that may affect the PALM scheme.

- Outlining actionable next steps to maximize benefits for Tongan workers and ensure the continuity of the PALM scheme.

- What can Tonga contribute to further improve the existing arrangements to assist with other sectors that Tongan workers can contribute to?



Thank you and regards.



George Carter
---------------------------
Salā Dr. George Carter
Email: george.carter at anu.edu.au<mailto:george.carter at anu.edu.au>

Deputy Head of Department / Senior Fellow
Department of Pacific Affairs I Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs

Director
ANU Pacific Institute

College of Asia and the Pacific
The Australian National University

Room 2.263, Coombs Building
9 Fellows Road
Canberra,ACT, 2601
T: +61 2 6125 6314

http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/
CRICOS Provider # 00120C

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