Solomon Islands-Australia labour mobility cooperation

The governments of Solomon Islands and Australia held the inaugural Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme Approved Employer Expo in Honiara. During the event, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale called on Australian employers to recruit 5,000 Solomon Islanders annually, describing the scheme as an “investment in our people” to help reform the domestic economy.

Since 2018, over 13,000 Solomon Islanders have participated in the program. Economic data shows that in 2025, workers sent home a record SBD 507 million in remittances. To support these workers, Australia launched the ‘PALM – Strongim Bisnis’ initiative, which provides matching investments of up to SBD 60,000 for business proposals from returning participants.

While the administration views the scheme as a driver of prosperity, Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare has urged a more strategic approach. Sogavare cautioned against an overreliance on remittances and warned that the government must ensure the scheme complements national development rather than weakening local industries by exporting the workforce.