The growing number of Fijians working abroad through temporary labour schemes, notably the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) programme, has significantly boosted remittance inflows to Fiji, supporting many local families and contributing to the national economy. The PALM programme, designed to address workforce shortages in Australia while providing employment opportunities for Pacific Islanders, has seen substantial uptake from Fijians, who now contribute increasingly to remittances sent back home. These remittances, private money transfers from family members working overseas, have steadily increased over recent years, particularly as migration has surged since 2022.
Historically, remittance growth has aligned with rising overseas migration, primarily from permanent migrants establishing themselves abroad. However, a shift since 2022, and even more sharply in 2023 and 2024, shows a growing number of Fijians opting for temporary employment in Australia and New Zealand under PALM and other programmes. This trend has resulted in a robust rise in remittance levels, now a crucial source of income for many Fijian families.
The PALM programme, which facilitates short-term and seasonal work in sectors like agriculture, horticulture, and hospitality, has played a key role in this growth. It allows workers from Fiji and other Pacific Islands to work in Australia for periods of up to four years, fostering a valuable cross-border economic link. In addition to filling labour gaps in Australia, PALM provides Fijian workers with substantial earning opportunities that are often beyond reach domestically.
In a report on which this story is based, ANZ Bank’s Pacific economists, Kishti Sen and Tom Kenny, write that they expect remittance growth to continue through to June 2025. However, with high participation rates already achieved, future growth may taper off as the current expansion rate stabilises. While remittances remain a steady economic lifeline, the potential for exponential growth in coming years may be limited without significant changes in migration or employment trends.
The PALM programme’s success has highlighted the importance of such initiatives in driving economic resilience in Fiji and the broader Pacific, positioning remittances as a key pillar for economic support and development across the region.
