Illustrative photograph. Not a specific Orchard Tech workplace or a named PALM worker.
Last reviewed: 29 August 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Timeframes and incident types are in the current Deed, Guidelines and DEWR’s incident reporting guidance. Use those documents, not this summary, when you lodge.
PALM scheme Approved Employers must report incidents through the PALMIS Approved Employer portal at portal.palmscheme.gov.au. DEWR’s PALMIS frequently asked questions say all incident cases are communicated through that portal: open the Support service area, choose create incident report, pick the incident type, and give names, phone numbers, location, times and dates. Follow-up is often required.
When to phone as well as lodge
The PALM scheme support line is 1800 51 51 31 (email palm@dewr.gov.au). The scheme says the line is monitored 8.30 am to 6.30 pm, and that after-hours calls should be for critical incidents only. If someone is at immediate risk, call 000 first, then meet the scheme’s reporting rules.
DEWR publishes Incident reporting guidance for PALM scheme employers (the version listed on the resources index at the time of writing was December 2024). Download the current PDF from the employer resources list rather than using a saved copy.
What “incident” covers in practice
Reporting is not only deaths and hospital admissions. The portal is also how employers tell DEWR about welfare concerns, workplace disputes, pay problems, disengagement, intended resignations and terminations, visa issues and other scheme events. The exact labels live in the portal. If you are unsure which type to pick, say so in the report and give the facts. Do not wait for a perfect category while a worker is unsafe.
Family accompaniment has extra notification rules for serious incidents involving family members. If you are in the family accompaniment pilot, use the family annexure and the Family Liaison Officer contacts DEWR and DFAT give you — do not improvise.
Records hosts should expect
Farms that host PALM workers should assume DEWR can ask what happened, when the Approved Employer knew, who was told, and what was done. Keep times, witnesses, first aid, and whether police, ambulance or a work health and safety regulator attended. If the event was at approved accommodation or on an approved transport run, say so. Vague “we handled it internally” notes are not a report.
For workers
You can tell your WWSP, your employer, your Country Liaison Officer, or DEWR. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 (interpreter 13 14 50) about pay and conditions. If you are unsafe right now, call 000.
Sources checked 29 August 2026: PALMIS frequently asked questions (DEWR); PALM scheme contact page; PALM scheme employer resources (incident reporting guidance listing); PALM scheme support line hours as published on palmscheme.gov.au.
