94
Number of Approved Employers
A brief introduction to Pacific labour mobility
The Pacific Labour Scheme builds on the positive impact of the Seasonal Worker Programme, which has provided more than 33,000 seasonal jobs to workers from nine Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste since 2012.
Frequently asked questionsWhat is the difference between the Seasonal Worker Programme and the Pacific Labour Scheme?
Through the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP), employers who are having difficulties finding enough local labour can recruit unskilled workers in the agricultural and accommodation sectors in rural and regional Australia for up to nine months.
These workers help growers harvest crops, increase productivity and get produce to market.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) enables employers in all sectors in rural and regional Australia to recruit low-skilled and semi-skilled workers for between one and three years, when there is not enough local labour available.
All workers who are in Australia through these Pacific labour mobility schemes have the same rights and protections as Australian workers.
We have built-in systems to protect people against exploitation, and we provide ongoing advice and 24-hour support for all workers while they are here.
Get in touch with the SWP team
Information line: +61 (02) 6240 5234 (9:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday to Friday, Canberra time).
Email: seasonalworker@employment.gov.au.
Contact the PLS media team
Email: media@pacificlabourfacility.com.au.
Pacific Labour Scheme at a glance—the latest numbers
974
Number of workers in Australia
165/809
Ratio of female/male workers
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