Visa file / Skilled and work visas
Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) stream 403
Short and long-term work for Pacific and Timor-Leste workers recruited by approved employers.
In force
Who it is for
Citizens and residents of participating Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste recruited by an approved PALM employer, mainly in agriculture, meat processing, care and tourism.
Published eligibility
- Approved to take part in PALM, with an offer of a PALM placement and a recruitment approval letter.
- Sponsor approved as a temporary activities sponsor and a PALM employer.
- Health insurance, genuine temporary stay, health and character.
Where you apply from
Outside Australia, with limited exceptions for current PALM workers.
From first enquiry to grant and after.
The usual steps, and where a registered migration agent can help at each one. Immi Worldwide gives general information and settlement support, never advice about your visa.
- 01
Recruitment
Through your home country's labour-sending unit and the employer.
Where a registered migration agent can helpExplains workers' rights and free government support.
- 02
Visa application
Lodge with the recruitment approval and pay the charge.
Where a registered migration agent can helpAdvises employers on sponsorship.
- 03
Work and return
Work only under the PALM contract and return home at the end.
Where a registered migration agent can helpExplains later visa options.
Charges and processing times.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | A$365 |
| Family member 18 or over | A$355 |
| Family member under 18 | A$85 |
Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026. Check the Visa Pricing Estimator before you rely on a figure.
| Stream | 50% decided within | 90% decided within |
|---|---|---|
| PALM | 15 days | 30 days |
Home Affairs Global visa processing times. Read 22 October 2026. Times change monthly and are not a promise. Global visa processing times.
Common refusal reasons
- Missing endorsement or sponsor details.
- Genuine temporary stay concerns.
- Health or character.
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience. They are not Departmental statistics.
Document checklist
Application
A general list. The Department's own document checklist for your application is the one that counts. Ticks stay on this page only.
What changed, and what people ask.
No recent changes are listed for this visa. Check the Home Affairs page for the latest information.
Sources
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your circumstances.
How any of these rules applies to a particular person, which visa to choose, and any application are immigration assistance, given only by a registered migration agent.
Immi Worldwide does not give immigration assistance. For advice about your own situation, Immi Worldwide can refer you to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130, of The Immigration Worldwide Pty Ltd, or you can choose any registered migration agent.
The referral form opens with the box to pass your enquiry to the registered agent already ticked. Immi Worldwide does not charge for a referral.