Largest Cohort of Pacific Aged Care Workers to Arrive in Australia

From this week and over the coming month, nearly a hundred Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme aged care workers from Fiji will arrive in Australia under the Australian Government’s Aged Care Expansion (ACE) program.

This will help to fill critical workforce shortages in aged care.

The ACE program helps aged care providers secure qualified, long-term staff from the Pacific and Timor-Leste by supporting PALM scheme workers to complete Australian standard qualifications.

The aged care workers were recruited by Bolton Clarke and will be employed in regional areas across Australia including Townsville, Caloundra, Murwillumbah, Beerwah and Zilzie.

The workers completed 16 weeks of training in Fiji with Australian training provider, Alphacrucis University College, which is the first international university registered to deliver training in Fiji.

They will complete their six weeks practicum in Australia, as required to achieve a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing).

Building deeper connections with our Pacific neighbours is a priority for the Government, and responds to calls from the Pacific. We are working closely with the Pacific and Timor-Leste to continue to grow the number of PALM scheme workers in this vital sector.

Quotes attributable to Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“This is one of the largest single country mobilisations under the Aged Care Expansion program. It will help fill critical workforce shortages in aged care homes that have struggled to find local labour.”

“Not only do these workers from the Pacific look after older members of our community and fill critical workforce gaps, but they also make a significant contribution to the economies of their home countries and strengthen relationships across the Pacific.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Aged Care, the Hon Anika Wells MP:

“We warmly welcome the PALM scheme workers from Fiji under the PALM Aged Care Expansion program, who join the growing cohort of skilled Pacific and Timor-Leste workers making a commitment to care for older Australians.

“From day one of the Albanese Government, we have committed to supporting and increasing the number of trained staff who care for older Australians.

“The professionalism, skills and compassion these workers bring to aged care homes enriches the lives of older Australians and helps restore dignity to the sector.”

Quotes attributable to Bolton Clarke Chief People Officer Mel Leahy:

“Finding long-term employees is one of the greatest challenges we face in our regional residential care homes.”

“Welcoming these new team members is a win-win, supporting continuity of care for residents and offering training and employment opportunities that can be life-changing for PALM workers.”

Quote attributable to Personal Care Worker Semesi Biudole:

“I hope to expand more on my knowledge and experience in this field and to be able to bring back to my home country what I have learned during my four years in Australia.”

“It means a lot to me personally. It means I am able to achieve my goal in coming back to start a business and to be able come back and invest in my home country, not only for my family but for the youths in Fiji.”