Eight aged care workers from Papua New Guinea have arrived to fill critical roles in three residential aged care homes operated by Southern Cross Care Queensland. 

They are being employed in the aged care sector under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. 

Southern Cross Care Queensland CEO Jason Eldering said the new staff will take up roles at the Not for Profit’s aged care homes in Chinchilla, Murgon and Taroom. 

“The arrival of these workers will be enormously beneficial, and they will be warmly welcomed by our residents, families and loved ones, staff and within the communities where they will live,” Jason said in a statement. 

“Expanding this program into the aged care sector is something we welcome, as an industry who is facing challenges in recruitment and retention, particularly in our rural and remote communities where it is even more difficult for people to access high quality care and support.” 

More than 600 PALM scheme workers are working in residential aged care homes in Australia.  

Federal Government is supporting an additional 500 to attain formal aged care qualifications while working in Australia, with placements to start from this month. 

“Pacific and Timorese workers have earned a positive reputation in the aged care sector, and now we welcome the first workers from Papua New Guinea. Their strong passion for caring will only enhance the wellbeing of the older Australians.” said Anika Wells, Minister for Aged Care.

Southern Cross Care Qld employs over 1,000 staff who provide services for more than 2,000 people through a network which includes 13 aged care facilities, five retirement villages, and home care services across QLD.