Frequently asked questions
Find answers to some of the most commonly-asked queries about Pacific labour mobility, including the main differences between the Seasonal Worker Programme and the Pacific Labour Scheme.
Find out how to get involvedWhat is the Seasonal Worker Programme?
The Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) helps employers in the Australian agricultural and accommodation sectors in selected regional and rural locations to access unskilled and low-skilled seasonal labour from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste when they cannot find labour locally.
The SWP contributes to the economic development of the nine participating Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste by providing access to work opportunities in Australia.
For more information about the SWP, visit the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business’ SWP page.
What is the Pacific Labour Scheme?
The Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) builds on the success of the SWP. It is designed to help Australian businesses address chronic labour shortages and deliver a stable and productive workforce where local labour is not available.
The PLS enables citizens from nine Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste to take up low-skilled and semi-skilled work opportunities in all sectors in rural and regional Australia for up to three years.
What are the main differences between the Seasonal Worker Programme and the Pacific Labour Scheme?
| Seasonal Worker Programme | Pacific Labour Scheme | |
|---|---|---|
| Length of time | Up to nine months | One to three years |
| Industries | Agriculture, accommodation (in select locations) | All sectors in rural and regional Australia |
| Locations | Agriculture: Nationally. Accommodation: WA, NT, Tropical North Qld and Kangaroo Island | Rural and regional Australia |
| Skill levels | Unskilled and low-skilled | Low-skilled and semi-skilled |
| Labour market testing | Required | Required |
| Responsible agency | Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business | Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade |
| Age of workers | 21 years and over | 21-45 years |
| Partner countries | Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu | Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu |
All participating workers have the same rights and protections as Australian workers. We provide a range of support services to assist workers including:
- connecting workers, employers and Pacific-based training institutions
- providing education on financial literacy, including banking services, remittance transfers, tax returns, and access to superannuation benefits (upon expiry of visas)
- accessing affordable accommodation and appropriate living arrangements for workers
- facilitating the introduction of workers to their local communities, including their local diaspora communities
- providing a 24/7 information hotline for employers and workers (1800 51 51 31)
- monitoring the impact of labour mobility programs, both in Australia and in Pacific island countries, to improve the support provided to workers.
If you are an employer who wants to join the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS), you need to be accredited as an Approved Employer by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Our online prospective employer questionnaire will help you work out whether your business is eligible to join the PLS.
If you are eligible, you can then apply to join the scheme. If you apply and are approved, you will also need to become a Temporary Activities Sponsor with the Department of Home Affairs.
If you are a current Seasonal Worker Programme Approved Employer, you can apply to join the PLS, but you still need to undergo the Approved Employer assessment process.
If you have any questions, please get in touch by email (enquiries@pacificlabourfacility.com.au).