Enhancing aged care: Pulse Staffing Australia and Sanctuary Recruitment to deliver PALM Aged Care Expansion Program

First published: July 2024

Quality aged care is vital for ensuring that elderly people live fulfilling, healthy lives with dignity and respect. Aligned with our purpose to improve people’s lives, Pulse Staffing Australia and Sanctuary Recruitment, both part of Acacium Group, have partnered to support the delivery of the 2024 PALM Aged Care Expansion Program.

The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme is a key initiative by the Australian government aimed at addressing Australian labor shortages while also supporting economic development in the Pacific region and Timor-Leste.

The scheme enables workers from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste to take up jobs in Australia. This initiative helps Australian businesses to meet their labor needs and provides economic benefits to the workers and their home countries through remittances and skills development.

Through this scheme, our key objectives are:

• 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 labor 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.

How it 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.

“This is a segment of an age 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, Operations Manager

Enhance your aged care services with PALM

By participating in this program, you can ensure a consistent, reliable workforce, reduce costs, and provide superior care to your elderly residents. Get in touch with our PALM scheme representatives to learn more about how the PALM Aged Care Expansion Program can transform your care services.