Twenty-three approved employers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme have travelled to Papua New Guinea to attend the PNG PALM Expo this week.
Twenty-eight representatives from the Australian businesses are engaging with key partners to gain a deeper understanding of the benefits of employing Papua New Guinean workers through the PALM scheme. The week-long event is being held under the theme “Strengthening partnerships and expanding opportunities for PNG.”
The official opening ceremony was held at APEC Haus in Port Moresby, attended by representatives from the Papua New Guinea and Australian governments, labour mobility stakeholders and regional recruitment hub coordinators.
PNG participation in the PALM scheme continues to expand through initiatives such as the early childhood education and care pilot, a growing number of aged care workers, and increasing opportunities in semi-skilled roles aimed at addressing workforce shortages in Australia.
Over the next few days, employers will participate in briefings and regional visits focused on the role of the PNG Labour Mobility Unit in supporting recruitment objectives and worker readiness programs, including screening, training and pre-departure briefings.
Delegates will also engage with regional stakeholders and take part in community visits in Wewak and Kokopo to better understand the impact of the PALM scheme and worker preparedness at the hub level.
The program will also provide employers with insights into Papua New Guinean culture and the worker journey from local communities to workplaces in Australia.
Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea Ewen McDonald said the expo provides an opportunity for Australian employers to better understand PNG’s workforce and strengthen long-term labour mobility partnerships.
“After Port Moresby, employers will travel to East New Britain and East Sepik to follow the journey of a PNG PALM worker first-hand, including visiting communities that have participated in the PALM scheme,” McDonald said.
PNG Labour Mobility Unit Director Hakaua Harry said the expo demonstrates PNG’s ambition to position itself as a trusted and reliable labour mobility partner for Australia.
“By visiting Port Moresby, Wewak and Kokopo, employers can see the worker journey from community to workplace and understand the support that sits behind the program,” Harry said.
The expo is being jointly delivered by the Papua New Guinea and Australian governments under the PNG-Australia PALM Growth Plan.
The PALM scheme allows eligible Australian businesses to recruit workers from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste for short-term and long-term employment in sectors including agriculture, horticulture, hospitality, meat processing and aged care.
