Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has commended the growing Papua New Guinea–Australia Labour Mobility partnership as a transformative opportunity that is already changing the lives of thousands of Papua New Guineans and generating Millions of Kina in Economic benefits for families and communities across the country.
Prime Minister Marape made the remarks following a Meeting with Australian employers participating in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme, where he expressed appreciation to the Australian Government and Employers for their confidence in Papua New Guinean Workers and for expanding Employment pathways for PNG Citizens. The Prime Minister said the Marape-Rosso Government sees Labour Mobility as a major Economic and Human Resource Development opportunity that will continue to expand in the coming years. “There is a strong possibility that we could soon be sending between 10,000 and 20,000 Papua New Guineans to work in Australia under these Schemes,” Prime Minister Marape said. “This is in our National Interest because the money our Workers send back home is directly improving the lives of Families, Communities, and the Economy of our country.”
Prime Minister Marape highlighted that PNG Workers under the PALM Scheme are already making a major contribution to the Economy through Remittances. Statistics provided showed that on average, a PNG PALM Worker sends home K3,855 every month, while a total of K236 million was remitted to Papua New Guinea between April 2022 and December 2025. Currently, there are 2,815 Papua New Guineans working in Australia under the PALM Scheme, while PNG has mobilised 5,934 Worker Placements since 2019. Prime Minister Marape said the Labour Mobility partnership is not just about Seasonal Employment, but part of a broader strategic relationship between Papua New Guinea and Australia. “We’re not just relating to Australia for Rugby League as some people may think. We are relating to Australia in a holistic manner,” Prime Minister Marape stated. “This number will continue to grow because Australia will need more Workers in the future — not only Seasonal Workers, but blue-collar Workers, Labourers, Defence Personnel, and many others.”
The Prime Minister said the Government is now focusing on preparing more Papua New Guineans to meet international workforce standards through Education, Skills Training, and Character Development. “We are upping the game as far as our Education Qualifications are concerned. We want to train Papua New Guineans to be prepared for the Australian Labour Workplace in all Categories of Work,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape also stressed the importance of discipline, integrity, and responsibility among Workers representing Papua New Guinea overseas. “You are Ambassadors of your country. Not only yourselves, but many other Papua New Guineans can also find employment opportunities through your good example,” he said. “I ask all of you to work hard, live within the Laws of Australia, and remit your earnings back home to support your families. This is a win- win situation for both countries.”
Prime Minister Marape said the Government would continue improving the Labour Mobility process to ensure equal opportunities are available to all Provinces and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. “The Labour Mobility Office will continue ensuring fair access for all Provinces. We want opportunities to reach all parts of the country,” he said.
The Prime Minister added that preference would also be given to hardworking and trustworthy young Papua New Guineans with strong character references, including school graduates seeking further opportunities in Education and Skills Development overseas. He noted that the Program is already producing visible Positive Outcomes, with returned Workers building homes, supporting families, and even establishing businesses upon returning home. According to available Data, nearly 70 percent of returned PNG PALM Workers have started Businesses using the Skills and Savings gained while working in Australia.
Prime Minister Marape thanked the Australian Government, Employers, and Officials managing the Program for their continued partnership and confidence in Papua New Guinean Workers. “All the Employers I met spoke highly of Papua New Guineans as hardworking and dependable Workers. That is encouraging for our country and our young people,” Prime Minister Marape said. “This is a pathway that creates jobs, develops skills, grows families, and strengthens our Economy through Remittances and Experience gained abroad.”