The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme will soon include a Family Accompaniment pilot program.

This means around 200 eligible long-term PALM scheme workers will soon be able to bring their immediate family members to Australia.

It is estimated that families will start arriving at the end of this year.

The pilot will initially include a small number of families so that pre-departure briefings, support arrangements and other program settings can be tested and adjusted as needed to help families have a positive experience in Australia.

Information on eligibility criteria and how to apply will soon be available through the PALM scheme website and Facebook page.

In the meantime, the following are some things to consider:

  • The pilot is open to long-term workers who have spent at least 12 months in Australia, with other eligibility criteria still to be finalised.
  • Participants must be nationals of a country that has signed up for the pilot.
  • Participating countries have not been confirmed.
  • Workers must have the agreement of their employers to be eligible.
  • Workers must fund all their family’s pre-deployment costs (e.g. passports, visas, security and health screening and airfares).

They will be responsible for finding and paying for family-appropriate accommodation in Australia.

Family members can work or study once they are in Australia. They will have access to Medicare, Child Care Subsidy and the Family Tax Benefit (if applicable). 

 

Source: Pacific Australia Labor Mobility (PALM)