Solomon Islands will host 25 Australian employers at the PALM Expo to strengthen labour mobility partnerships and worker support.
Twenty-five (25) Australian Approved Employer (AE) representatives will attend the inaugural PALM Scheme Approved Employer Expo in Honiara from Monday 19 to Friday 23 October 2026.
The Expo aims to strengthen cooperation between Australian Approved Employers, the Solomon Islands Government, and key stakeholders to support the long-term success and sustainability of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.
Under the theme “Partnership in Growing the PALM Scheme in Solomon Islands,” the Expo will showcase the country’s labour mobility system, including training infrastructure, worker preparation pathways, and support mechanisms that help prepare Solomon Islanders for employment opportunities in Australia.
The participating Approved Employers represent key Australian industries, including agriculture, meat processing, aged care, and hospitality. The Expo is being delivered in partnership between the Solomon Islands Government and the Australian Government.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, George Hou’au, said the Expo would provide an important platform to demonstrate the capabilities of Solomon Islands workers and the systems in place to prepare and support them.
“This Expo is an opportunity to demonstrate our workers’ capabilities and preparedness for employment in Australia. We want to build lasting partnerships that create more opportunities for Solomon Islanders while ensuring employers have confidence in the quality and readiness of our workforce,” he said.
The Expo will provide opportunities for Approved Employers to engage directly with returning PALM workers and hear first-hand about their employment experiences, outcomes, and the impact of labour mobility on workers, families, and communities.
The weeklong programme will feature information booths, presentations, and panel discussions involving Approved Employers and local stakeholders. Returning PALM workers will also share their experiences and success stories, while site visits to communities around Honiara will allow employers to gain further insights into the benefits of labour mobility.
Prime Minister Matthew Wale is expected to deliver the keynote address at the official opening of the programme.
The Expo is not a recruitment event. Instead, it provides a platform for Approved Employers and Solomon Islands stakeholders to exchange experiences, strengthen cooperation, and explore opportunities to expand labour mobility pathways across priority industries.
The Expo aligns with the GREAT Government policy of expanding safe, fair, and structured labour mobility opportunities through regional and international partnerships. It also supports efforts to strengthen workforce preparation, placement systems, worker protection, and reintegration mechanisms.
Under the PALM scheme in Australia, Solomon Islands has mobilised more than 13,000 workers.
—𝐌𝐅𝐀𝐄𝐓 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄
