On Wednesday 10th March, Coffs Harbour Women’s Health Centre Nurses Berry and Mel, along with WH Project Officer Amelia, attended the PALM Workers workshop at the LHD. The meeting provided a comprehensive overview of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workforce and systemic considerations impacting worker health and wellbeing. All workers are required to hold private health insurance, with costs deducted from wages, and eligibility for healthcare varies depending on visa type and country of origin. A new multilingual website is set to launch in May to improve access to information. Key health considerations discussed included unplanned pregnancies—where options and coverage differ depending on length of stay—as well as the cultural context of predominantly religious backgrounds, where understanding and acceptance of contraception may be limited.
Significant barriers to healthcare access were identified, including cost concerns, limited ability to attend services during work hours, and gaps in culturally and linguistically appropriate resources. Concerning reports from community representatives highlighted issues such as poor accommodation standards, exploitation, lack of awareness of rights and services, and limited access to interpreters. Health professionals noted cases of STIs and blood-borne viruses, alongside challenges in proactive screening and care delivery; however, outreach initiatives have shown positive engagement. Opportunities moving forward include strengthening outreach models, improving language-inclusive resources, partnering with trusted community organisations such as churches, and exploring the timing and location of services to better meet worker needs.
Coffs Harbour Women’s Health Centre will be working with the LHD on this project, providing support to help ensure women can access our services without financial barriers.