There are no fees to join the PALM scheme or RSE scheme. However workers or the recruitment hubs are required to pay for:
- police clearance certificate
- birth certificate or NID card
- passport (new and renew)
- medical tests
Introduction
Opportunities for Papua New Guineans in Australia and New Zealand
Are you ready to embark on a new journey and gain valuable experience working in Australia or New Zealand? Here’s everything you need to know to get started.
How It works
How to participate
01.
Prepare
Get your documents in order. These are:
- a national identification number (NID) or birth certificate
- a valid passport
- police clearance
- vaccine card (COVID)
You should also have a recommendation letter from your local church pastor or priest or your community leader.
The LMU has strict guidelines against the chewing of betel nut and drinking of alcohol.
It is free of charge to join the PALM and RSE Schemes.
02.
Apply
Apply to join the PALM or RSE scheme through your local recruitment hub. Recruitment hubs are in districts and provinces around PNG, and each is managed by a recruitment coordinator. If you are suitable, your details will be sent to the Labour Mobility Unit (LMU).
To be eligible you need to be:
- between the aged of 21 and 40
- Tuberculosis free
- be able to speak and understand English
- be presentable and motivated to do well
- have a birth certificate/National Identity Card
- have a current and valid passport
- have a valid visa police clearance
- be fully vaccinated against COVID-19
- tuberculosis (TB) free
Please note the PNG LMU requires that you not chew betel nut or drink alcohol
03.
Interview and fitness testing
During the interview, we check your English language skills, as well as your character, attitude, and motivation to work. Working in Australia and New Zealand can be physically hard. We conduct fitness testing (physical ability, strength, and endurance).
04.
Work-ready pool and selection
Applicants who pass steps 1-3, join the work ready pool (WRP).
The LMU matches profiles from the WRP with employer recruitment plan and employment criteria. The approved employer selects their preferred worker and the LMU notifies the successful candidates.
05.
Medical screening for visa
Candidates undertake x-rays and blood tests at an approved clinic in Port Moresby. We also check your blood pressure and history of injuries and illness. This process may take up to 2 weeks and the cost is covered by the candidates.
06.
Offer of employment
If selected by the employer (and passed all the requirements), candidates will be given a contract, called an offer of employment.
07.
Documents and visas
Candidates submit all required documents to the LMU:
- police clearance certificate
- driver’s licence (if required)
- passport bio-page
- privacy & consent form
- vaccination card
- birth certificate
- visa form 956a
- visa form 1403
Your employer will apply for your short or long term Australian or New Zealand visa for you.
08.
Pre-departure briefing
The pre-departure briefing (PDB) is held over 2 days. They will take place either in Port Moresby or at the recruitment hub. Topics include employment contracts, laws, employer and worker roles and responsibilities, and living in Australia and New Zealand. As PDBs are delivered in person, attendance is compulsory.
09.
Travel to Australia
You should be at the airport 3 hours before departure and have the following documents with you:
- passport
- tickets
- visa grant
- contract/offer of employment
10.
Working abroad
Your employer will meet you at the airport at your final destination. They will also arrange an on-arrival briefing to help you settle into your new home and workplace.
The LMU has country liaison officers in Australia (Townsville and Brisbane) to support employers and PALM workers.
11.
Returning home
Complete your contract and return to PNG.
Share your new skills and experiences with your community.
Beware of scams!
Questions & Answers
FAQs for workers
- Must be between the age of 21-40.
- Must be TB free.
- Must be able to speak and understand English.
- Must be presentable.
- Must be motivated to do well.
- Must have a birth certificate/NID card.
- Must have a valid passport - must be current and valid.
- Must have a valid visa police clearance (this is a 10 fingerprint process).
- Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The LMU has strict guidelines against the chewing of betel nut and drinking of alcohol.
There are no fees charged to participate in labour mobility and there are no labour mobility agents in PNG. You must never pay money or give gifts to anyone to participate in the PALM or RSE schemes.
The only legitimate payments are for visa medical assessments, passports, birth certificates and visa police clearances. These payments are the responsibility of individual applicants.
If you are not sure, ask your recruitment hub coordinator or the PNG LMU.
There are no fees charged to participate in labour mobility and there are no labour mobility agents in PNG. You must never pay money or give gifts to anyone to participate in the RSE or PALM schemes. The only legitimate payments are for visa medical assessments, passports, birth certificates and visa police clearances. These payments are the responsibility of individual applicants. If you are not sure, ask your recruitment hub coordinator or the PNG LMU.
Applicants must have:
- NID card or birth certificate
- a valid passport or the ability to get one
- visa police clearance
- vaccine card
If you are successful and offered a job in Australia or New Zealand, your employer will cover initial travel costs and accommodation.
Costs are repaid over time through your wages once you start working.
You have the same workplace rights and protections as Australian and New Zealand citizens. This includes protections against exploitation, minimum rates of pay and minimum standards of accommodation.
The PALM and RSE schemes contain built-in measures that require employers to look after their workers. On the ground support is also provided by country liaison officers, who are employed by the Government of PNG. CLO contact details in Australia can be found here: Contact | PALM scheme
Stories
Hear from Others who have Participated in Labour Mobility
Fast Tracking PNG Worker’s Dreams
Farmwork in Australia helped Sylvester achieve financial stability. Working on a Queensland farm put Sylvester on a fast track to achieving his dreams. When he boarded a plane to Australia in 2019, he was a 26-year-old subsistence farmer with no other employment or skills beyond growing food.
Workers return each season to Ironbark Citrus
Ironbark Citrus in Queensland’s North Burnett region has a long history of employing workers from Papua New Guinea through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme.
Aged care worker finds a home away from home in regional Queensland
In less than two years, 23-year-old Michelle Bart's life has changed in ways she never imagined possible. "It's a dream come true; I have the opportunity to build my own house and secure my future at a much faster rate than I ever thought possible," she said.
PNG meat workers: determined, hardworking and loyal
Papua New Guineans are gaining an excellent reputation in Australia’s meat processing industry as hardworking and loyal workers, especially in areas like Cootamundra, NSW where local staff have been hard to find.
