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.
Our PALM representatives being welcomed to Fiji!
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
Our journey so far
2024 was an exciting year for Pulse Staffing Australia and Sanctuary as we recruited and trained a cohort of 40 amazing individuals, ready to embark on their 4 year transition to Australia in 2025. The team have undertaken a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) through our Registered Training Partner Alphacrucis University College, and are ready to put their skills and knowledge to use delivering quality aged care services in aged care homes in rural and remote areas of Australia.
We've witnessed our wonderful participants complete their 18 week training course and undergo practical assessments in Hart Nursing Home and Fathers Law Home in Suva, Fiji. They graduated in a ceremony in November 2024, and it's been such an honour to be a part of this life changing journey.
In March 2025, our Class of 2024 arrived in Australia and have begun their aged care work in Regis Aged Care in Mildura, VIC and Port Macquarie, NSW. We are so proud of our team and cannot wait to see them progress in their careers and flourish both inside and outside of the workplace.
You can view photos from the recruitment process, training and education classes, graduation and journey to Australia below.
“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
Interested in joining the PALM Scheme?
Our team have recruited 2024's cohort, and will be initiating the recruitment process again in the second half of 2025.
More information on our cohort for 2025 are to come, so stay tuned!