Objectives
- Economic development: By providing employment opportunities, the PALM scheme
supports the economic development of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste. - Labor shortage solutions: The scheme addresses labour shortages
in aged care across Australia. - Skills and experience: Workers gain valuable skills and experience which they can
utilize upon their return to their home countries.
Supporting aged care providers
Employers who utilize the PALM scheme experience significant cost savings that increase
with the number of employees and the duration of their employment. A dedicated PALM
workforce is more cost-effective than hiring onshore agency workers or maintaining a
permanent workforce, eliminating expenses typically associated with contract nurses,
such as travel, accommodation, and allowances.
This financial support alleviates the strain of filling last-minute shifts with agency workers,
ensuring a more stable and reliable staffing solution. Above all, the scheme enhances
the quality of care for the elderly by providing a consistent and reliable service,
allowing employers to maintain higher standards of care and better support for their elderly residents.
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000Our June 2024 visit to Suva, Fiji, to interview and select our Aged Care worker cohort
How the PALM scheme works
Having been carefully selected and recruited by Pulse Staffing, candidates participate in an 18-week full-time study program at Alphacrucis University College, followed by four weeks of on-the-job training in Australia to complete a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing).
The entire training and recruitment process, including visa costs, international and domestic travel, are fully funded. Employees also receive access to pastoral care, a pre-departure briefing, and comprehensive support throughout their training and employment journey.
Key Features
- Support for workers: The scheme ensures that workers are provided with fair wages, proper working conditions, and adequate support while in Australia.
- Employer requirements: As approved employers, Pulse and Sanctuary are obligated to ensure a safe and fair working environment for all workers.
- Community impact: The remittances sent back home by the workers play a significant role in supporting their families and communities.
Find out how the PALM scheme can benefit your organisation
“This is a segment of an aged care expansion initiative, which was initiated following the positive outcomes of a pilot program. The Australian government has committed to increasing the number of funded aged care training positions for PALM participants. The Aged Care Expansion (ACE) program aims to aid both large and small aged care providers in securing qualified, long-term care workers from the Pacific and Timor-Leste regions. Candidate selection involves a rigorous recruitment process in collaboration with DEWR. As an approved employer, we closely collaborate with DEWR and the Labour Sending Unit in-country to complete recruitment applications, facilitate worker mobilization, and support their settlement and employment in Australia. As employers, we prioritize the well-being of these workers and ensure their successful integration into and contribution to the Australian aged care sector.”
- Nitesh Nepal, PALM Operations Manager