Lae, 25 August 2025 – The Australian Consulate-General in Lae today joined the Lae City Authority and partners to farewell eight workers who will depart in the coming days to Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. The workers will take up long-term contracts (four years) with Australian employers, gaining new skills and experience while supporting their families and communities at home.
Supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and delivered in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea through the PNG Labour Mobility Unit and, in Lae, the Lae City Authority, PALM helps PNG workers earn income and send remittances that boost local economies, while assisting Australian industries facing labour shortages.
Australian Consul-General Brenton Kanowski said:
“Today’s cohort from Lae shows how PALM delivers practical results—reliable workers for Australian employers, skills and income for Papua New Guineans, and benefits that flow to families and communities.
“We’re proud to work with the PNG Government and the Lae City Authority to create safe, well-managed opportunities that strengthen the Australia–PNG partnership.”
Julliane Terry Byrne, Manager, Lae Labour Mobility Program (LLMP), said:
“For these eight workers, this is a life-changing step—steady earnings, new skills and remittances that help pay school fees, improve housing and support local small businesses back in Lae.”
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