Timor-Leste to access the Pacific Labour Scheme

  • Joint media release

We are pleased to announce that Timor Leste has been invited to join the Pacific Labour Scheme.

The Scheme will provide opportunities for Timorese workers to undertake non-seasonal work in Australia for up to three years.

The Scheme will build on the success of the Seasonal Worker Programme, which has enabled around 2,500 Timorese workers to find seasonal agricultural work in Australia since 2012.

Expanding Timor-Leste's access to labour mobility opportunities in Australia is key to building its economic prosperity. The Scheme also helps Australian farmers and regional communities find the workers they need, when they need them.

This builds on the announcement on 15 November by the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to uncap the Pacific Labour Scheme and to progressively expand it across all Pacific island countries.

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