As Papua New Guinea marks its 50th anniversary of independence this September, stories like Sophia’s highlight the enduring partnership between Australia and its closest neighbour.
The 25-year-old from PNG’s Central Province came to Australia in 2023 through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme to work at Southern Cross Care Queensland’s Murgon residence.
The Australian Government’s Aged Care Expansion (ACE) program allowed her to complete her Certificate III in Individual Support while working, and she has since become a valued member of the personal carer team.
An increasing number of Papua New Guineans are living and working in regional Australia under the PALM scheme, contributing to essential industries, including aged care, and strengthening people-to-people ties between both nations.
Sophia said Papua New Guineans were particularly well-suited to working in aged care, given the natural affinity they have for looking after their elders.
“It’s very important for us to take care of our elderly. We naturally do this back home. We take care of our elders, listen to what they need, and provide companionship. We help them live their best lives.”
In 2023, Southern Cross Care Queensland became the first aged care PALM scheme employer to recruit from Papua New Guinea for its Chinchilla, Murgon, and Taroom services. CEO Jason Eldering says the impact has been significant.
“Finding suitable aged care staff in rural and remote locations is an ongoing challenge, so it’s been a great boost to have these workers from Papua New Guinea,” he says.
“They’ve become highly valued by our residents and staff, and their contributions have been greatly appreciated.”
With PNG’s growing participation in labour mobility, more aged care facilities can look forward to building long-term staffing partnerships.
Dawnette Bailey, residential manager at Murgon, says the PALM workers have made a remarkable impression.
“They are fabulous. They’ve integrated well, are great to work with, and are hard workers. They’ve gone from 0 to 100 in a very short time.”
Following its initial success, Southern Cross Care Queensland expanded recruitment from PNG and in September 2024 celebrated the graduation of 21 Papua New Guineans who completed their qualifications through the ACE program. Training included dementia care, palliative care, and promoting independence and well-being.
The PALM scheme now has more than 31,000 workers from the Pacific and Timor-Leste in Australia, with around 1,300 in health care and social assistance – helping to fill critical staffing gaps while providing economic opportunities for workers and their families.
In PNG, the positive impacts of the scheme are easy to see. In villages across the country, new houses and churches are being built, local businesses are being started, and parents are paying for their children’s education with money earned in Australia.
A representative of PNG’s Labour Mobility Unit says the anniversary of PNG’s independence this year is a good time to reflect on the positive impacts PALM scheme workers are having in both countries.
“Australia and Papua New Guinea share a very long relationship and friendship, and the PALM scheme is such a significant and growing part of that friendship,” she says.
“We are very proud of our workforce for making a big difference to Australia, just as Australia makes a significant contribution here in Papua New Guinea. That is what friendship is about, and we really value the friendship we have with Australia.”
As we celebrate 50 years of PNG independence, the success of workers like Sophia reflects the strength of the Australia–PNG partnership, one that delivers lasting benefits for aged care providers, residents, and communities in both countries.
To learn more about employing aged care workers through the PALM scheme, visit palmscheme.gov.au or www.labourmobilitypng.com
