The Governments of Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand have convened the inaugural National Labour Mobility Coordination Committee meeting. This meeting marks a significant milestone in strengthening labour mobility governance and achieving more employment outcomes for Papua New Guineans.
The Committee brings together key government agencies involved in the delivery of PNG’s labour mobility program. It aims to improve coordination across the labour mobility ecosystem, resolve policy and operational blockages, and support growth in overseas employment opportunities for Papua New Guineans.
PNG’s labour mobility program, coordinated by the PNG Labour Mobility Unit (PNGLMU) within the Department of Treasury, enables Papua New Guineans to access overseas employment through Australia’s Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme and New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme.
The Government of Papua New Guinea seeks to position labour mobility as a major source of export revenue, skills development and reintegration benefits fostering sustained economic growth.
The Committee is a critical step in strengthening PNG’s leadership of its labour mobility program. At the meeting, Ms Hakaua Harry, Director of the PNGLMU, said:
“All members here today play a significant role in strengthening governance, driving policy dialogue, and ensuring whole-of-government coordination. Together, we can streamline accessibility to labour mobility accessibility across the country.”
Dr Cate Rogers, Minister Counsellor, Australian High Commission, said:
“The establishment of this Committee delivers on our joint commitment under the PNG-Australia PALM Growth Plan 2026 to bring together key agencies to address systemic challenges and support more Papua New Guineans to access the PALM scheme.”
Mr Charlie Gillard, New Zealand’s Deputy High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, said:
“New Zealand supports Papua New Guinea’s ambitions to grow participation in the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme. Last year, our Prime Ministers agreed an Economic Plan of Action, which includes dedicated steps that Papua New Guinea and New Zealand will take to strengthen the RSE Scheme’s implementation. The National Labour Mobility Coordination Committee is an important step towards delivering on these decisions.”
Over the past year, PNG has become the fastest growing PALM sending country, with 2,665 workers in Australia as of January 2026. This milestone has been achieved through bilateral efforts to increase worker participation and deepen cooperation to ensure more Papua New Guineans can access safe and meaningful employment opportunities in Australia. RSE worker numbers are also growing, with more than 650 workers from Papua New Guinea travelling to New Zealand to participate in the 2024-25 season.
PNG’s labour mobility programme is coordinated through the PNGLMU.
For information on accessing PNG’s labour mobility opportunities, visit https://labourmobilitypng.com/ .
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Ms Hakaua Harry, Director, PNG Labour Mobility Unit (LMU), presenting on LMU’s role to committee members.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100