The Australian Government’s Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) provides workers from nine Pacific island countries for employment in rural and regional Australia for up to three years. It marked one year of operation on 30 June and according to some, there was little to celebrate. However this article argues it’s early days yet.

The Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP), which allows workers from the Pacific and Timor-Leste to work on Australian farms for up to nine months, grew by 44% in 2018-19 or by some 3,000 workers – the largest absolute increase ever and one of the highest percentage growth rates.

This report examines the facts around temporary migration, its importance to business and the economic benefits it delivers to Australians. While less often discussed than permanent migration, it is a significant and important part of Australia’s migration system.

An objective of both Australia’s Seasonal Worker Program (SWP) and New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme (RSE) is to encourage economic development in the Pacific. This paper highlights how a number of ni-Vanuatu seasonal workers in both RSE and SWP have created various businesses and responded to the changing economic environment in Vanuatu.

This research stems from a 10-year longitudinal study of 22 ni-Vanuatu temporary migrant labourers participating in New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme (RSE) established on 30 April 2007. This report highlights changes, challenges, experiences and opportunities during the first 10 years of RSE and makes several recommendations on possible potential problem areas.