Papua New Guineans wishing to work in Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme now can have that chance to do so because the Australian government is now supporting an increased number of workers from the country to work down south.
This was made possible following the recent 4th Annual Bilateral Leaders Dialogue in Port Moresby city between the Australian Prime Minister (PM) Anthony Albanese and Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister, James Marape.
The recent talks between the two leaders and their delegates saw a lot of progress and consensus reached, and one such progress was the skilled labour from PNG under the scheme.
Australia PM Albanese said they support PM Marape’s intention to increase the number of skilled workers from PNG to 8, 000 compared to current 1, 000 plus workers in Australia.
Albanese added that this time they will be looking at including PNG skilled labour in other sectors as well instead of just in the agriculture sector.
“We spoke about that being not just in agriculture, but in the care sector as well. That is something that brings benefit to Australia by providing skilled labour and non- skilled labour in areas of need,” said Albanese.
Meanwhile, the PALM scheme allows eligible Australian businesses to hire workers from 9 Pacific Island countries and Timor- Leste and with the agreement reached, this would be an opportunity for many Papua New Guineans now to work in Australia in the various sectors offered.