Pacific labour scheme

Cap on Pacific Labour Scheme lifted

This scheme gives Papua New Guineans the opportunity to attain low to semi-skilled jobs in Australia.

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marise Payne, announced this on November 16th in Port Moresby, following the 30th APEC Ministerial Meeting.

The Minister said the Australian government’s decision is to increase engagement in the region.

“Our Pacific Labour Scheme will be progressively now rolled out across key Pacific island countries, up from the current six nations who are the current participants,” she said.

Nauruans among 2000 workers in Australia’s Pacific Labour Scheme

The scheme was announced by the Australian government last September.

Through the Programme, approved employers who cannot fill positions from the Australian labour market are provided avenues through which they can recruit workers from the small island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu for three-year placements.

Businesses on Hayman and Hamilton Islands currently employ 54 i-Kiribati workers in hospitality roles. These workers provide much-needed skills to keep Australian businesses running following the devastating effects of Cyclone Debbie.

Pacific Labour Scheme: New plan lifts labour pool

The Pacific Labour Scheme, first announced in September and confirmed in this week’s midyear Budget update, will see up to 2000 workers from Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu allowed to stay in Australia for up to three years from July next year.

Unlike the horticultural-specific Seasonal Worker Program, employees will be able to work in other industries experiencing skills shortages in rural and regional Australia.

Approved employers will have to first advertise their jobs locally.

New Zealand extends Pacific seasonal labour scheme

RNZ reports the RSE scheme will now increase by 1,000 workers to 10,500 for the coming horticulture and viticulture season.

The Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse said the sector was forecasting an additional 2,500 workers would be needed for the upcoming season.

The RSE scheme allows people from Pacific Island countries to work in New Zealand for periods of about six months at a time.