A quiet transformation is taking place in Queensland’s timber industry, as workers from the Pacific Islands bring new energy, skills, and ambition to regional businesses.

Thanks to the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALMS) scheme, companies like Baywood Sawmill in Granville are filling critical labour gaps while supporting the development of skilled tradespeople from across the Pacific.

The sawmill has welcomed six workers through the scheme so far. Among them are new recruits Albert McGoon and Sevanaia Tawatatau, who arrived from Fiji and began their Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products Operations traineeship in June. 

The PALM scheme allows approved Australian employers to hire workers from nine Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste when local labour is not available. The result is a mutually beneficial exchange: Australian industries source reliable, motivated workers, and Pacific Island participants gain valuable skills and experience.

Candidates use their skills in different ways with some completing the offshore time and returning on the same visa to the same host employer for another four years. This often eliminates training and turnover for employers. Candidates also take their skills home and create a livelihood for their families within their community.

“There are challenges with language because many of the workers speak Fijian or Tongan first,” said Brad Canell, Senior Trainer at the National Timber and Hardware Association (NTHA). “But they have the drive and mindset to succeed. That is what really counts.”

For regional employers struggling to attract and retain staff, the scheme has been a lifeline. And for participants, it is a pathway to long-term opportunity whether they stay in Australia or return home to support their local communities.

“The program has been a real success,” Brad said. “It is about more than filling jobs. It is about building futures on both sides.”
PALM scheme has been a valuable workforce solution for Baywood, particularly given the challenges of attracting and retaining workers in regional locations, Site Manager Cheyenne Slaats says.

“One of the key benefits has been reliability and consistency in labour supply. The PALM workers are a fantastic addition to our team at Baywood enhancing our culture and helping Baywood to meet operational demands.”

“This program benefits both workers and employers by improving workers' technical knowledge and abilities and most workers finalise their training with a trade equivalent certification,” Cheyenne concluded.

To learn more about the PALM scheme, visit www.palmscheme.gov.au