Pacific Labour Scheme to Deliver Workers for Rural and Regional Queensland
12 October, 2018
Businesses that can’t find workers in Australia may be able to engage workers from Pacific island countries under the new Pacific Labour Scheme. The Scheme helps businesses in rural and regional Australia, that can show they are unable to find workers in Australia, to sponsor workers from the Pacific to fill low and semi-skilled jobs for up to three years.
The Scheme is open to all industries, with a focus on:
- the accommodation and food services industry;
- health care and social assistance industry; and
- non-seasonal agriculture, forestry and fishing industries.
Six countries currently participate in the Scheme (Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Tuvalu). The Scheme will continue to be expanded to include other Pacific island countries.
The Scheme is supported by the Pacific Labour Facility which will provide support including:
- assisting interested businesses to understand and access the Scheme;
- connecting Australian businesses with Pacific workers;
- providing pastoral care to Pacific workers;
- administering the Scheme in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Information on the Scheme are available here.
Enquiries about the Scheme should be addressed to PacificLabourMobility@dfat.gov.au.
