PALM Worker 30-hour Relief

The Federal Government has decided to continue the averaging of the 30-hour safety net over four weeks for workers on the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.

It was previously the case that the Government would require employers to guarantee 30 hours of work each and every week. Many employers, particularly smaller operations, would have been unable to bear the cost of wages in weeks where work could not be performed due to factors, such as the weather, beyond their control.

While this is decision is a positive step, the preferred model farmers are seeking remains averaging 30 hours per week over the duration of a work placement. In conjunction with the NFF we are continuing to push this.