BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Data from a recent report by the Pacific Labour Mobility Support Programm (PLMSP) shows Solomon Islanders participating in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme are sending home record-high remittances.
Between July 2024 and June 2025, Solomon Islands’ PALM workers remitted an estimated SBD $507 million, according to a statement issued yesterday from the Australian High Commission (AHC).
The data indicated that the report captures not only bank transfers but also other forms of remittances, including physical cash and in-kind remittances.
Solomon Islander workers are each remitting around SBD9,200 per month on average, according to the AHC statement.
Remittance flows directly improve the lives of Solomon Islands families, who commonly put them towards major expenses like housebuilding and school fees, the AHC SI statement said.
The statement adds that increased remittances reflect the growing number of Solomon Islanders going to work in Australia.
It further said that more than 11,000 Solomon Islanders have participated in the PALM scheme as of January 2026.
Acting Australian High Commissioner Andrew Schloeffel said Australians welcomed Solomon Islands PALM workers and understood the valuable role they played in the Australian economy.
“The PALM scheme is a true partnership, with huge benefits for both Australia and Solomon Islands.
“We’re extremely grateful for the contribution hard-working Solomon Islanders are making every day, including on farms, meatworks plants and aged care facilities across Australia.
“With the number of PALM scheme participants increasing, it is great to see workers sending home record-breaking remittances to not only improve the lives of their families and communities, but also to support the Solomon Islands economy,” Schloeffel said.
With around 5,000 PALM workers from Solomon Islands currently in Australia, remittances are expected to increase further this year, AHC said.
Photo credit: AHC
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