ABGC members looking to strengthen their workforce and explore overseas employment pathways are encouraged to attend an upcoming free webinar focused on the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme and the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV). 

Hosted by the Department of Home Affairs through its Business, Industry and Regional Outreach (BIRO) network, the webinar will provide practical information for businesses and organisations interested in employing workers from the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste. 

Webinar details 

Date: Tuesday, 28 July 2026 

Time: 

• 11:00am – 12:00pm (ACT, NSW, QLD, TAS, VIC) 
• 10:30am – 11:30am (NT, SA)
• 9:00am – 10:00am (WA) 

Please register your interest to attend through link:  Register for Employing Workers from the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste Webinar 

Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions of subject matter experts following the presentations. 

More information 

The PALM scheme provides a pathway for eligible businesses to recruit workers from participating Pacific countries and Timor-Leste to fill labour shortages. It is an employer-sponsored program that supports unskilled, low-skilled and semi-skilled positions, allowing businesses to engage workers for short-term jobs of up to nine months or long-term roles ranging from one to four years. The scheme plays an important role in addressing workforce shortages across rural and regional Australia, as well as nationally within agriculture and selected agriculture-related food manufacturing sectors. 

The PEV is a permanent residence visa available to eligible citizens of participating Pacific countries and Timor-Leste. While it is not employer-sponsored, applicants must have an offer of ongoing employment in a genuine position in Australia before the visa can be granted. PEV holders can live and work anywhere in Australia and undertake employment in any occupation. 

The webinar will provide more information about these programs and the opportunities they offer. Representatives from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) will provide an overview of the PALM scheme, while the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) will present information on the Pacific Engagement Visa Support Service. 

If you’d like to know more, visit the Home Affairs website or if you have any further questions for ABGC, please contact Emily at [email protected].