Workers from Papua New Guinea (PNG) have been welcomed to Darwin to work and train in the Australian early childhood sector, under a Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme pilot.
The pilot is part of the Australian Government's commitment to expand and improve the PALM scheme to address Australia's workforce shortages, while developing long-term skills and expertise that will strengthen domestic labour markets in the Pacific.
The 14 Australian accredited educators from Papua New Guinea will be employed by two approved employers in Katherine and Alice Springs where local educators have been hard to find. This will allow these businesses to open more childcare spaces, supporting parents in Katherine and Alice Springs and enabling their participation in the workforce.
Since 2017 more than 2,000 workers from PNG have participated in the PALM scheme.
The PALM scheme is highly valued by Australian employers and industry, participating countries, and by those who come to Australia to work.
It supports the economic development of Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste by allowing workers to take up jobs in Australia, build skills and send income to support their families and communities back home.
An ANU/World Bank survey of more than 2,000 Pacific workers found 98 per cent would recommend the scheme to others, and 92 per cent wanted to work under the scheme again.
On average, PALM scheme workers are able to save or send home $1,500 a month and earn up to 9-10 times more than they would be able to in their home countries.
The Australian Government is committed to expanding and improving the PALM scheme to provide more opportunities for Australian businesses and our Pacific and Timor-Leste partners.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy:
"PALM scheme workers enrich the culture and society of communities across rural and regional Australia. I am excited to welcome the first PALM scheme early childhood education and care educators from Papua New Guinea to the Northern Territory this week."
"This pilot is part of our Government's commitment to expanding and improving the scheme for workers, Australian communities and the Pacific and Timor-Leste."
"Through the pilot, these educators will make a valuable contribution to the economies of Katherine and Alice Springs and will return home with a range of skills they can deploy to make a positive contribution to the long-term development of Papua New Guinea."
Quotes attributable to PNG Minister for Treasury, the Hon Ian Ling-Stuckey CMG, MP:
"Papua New Guinea remains committed to working closely with Australia to ensure the successful implementation of the bilateral agreement, with a focus on prioritizing the PALM Scheme. This partnership aims to address PNG's high unemployment rate while also meeting Australia's critical labour shortages in sectors such as agriculture, meat processing, aged care, and, more recently, Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC)."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Murray Watt:
"The PALM Scheme offers great financial and training opportunities for workers, while delivering essential support to fill labour gaps in rural and regional Australia.
"Since being elected, the Albanese Government has invested $440 million to expand and improve the program.
"We welcome these workers and hope they enjoy their time in the NT."
