2026 PALM Scheme accommodation standards update
Key changes to minimum occupancy ratios and facility requirements — what employers need to have in place before the next compliance check.
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) has released updated accommodation guidance for the PALM Scheme, effective from the second half of 2026. For approved employers, the changes tighten a handful of long-standing expectations rather than introducing new categories — but the practical implications for property selection and management are significant.
The most notable adjustment is to minimum occupancy ratios. Bedrooms shared by more than two workers are now expected only in exceptional circumstances, and where used must meet stricter square-metre-per-person allowances. Bathroom-to-worker ratios have also been reinforced, with a firmer expectation of one facility per four residents in most housing configurations.
Kitchen and communal areas continue to be assessed on fitness for purpose rather than raw floor area. In practice this means employers should be able to demonstrate that cooking capacity, refrigeration, and dining space genuinely support the number of workers housed — not simply that the room exists. Documentation of what is provided, and photos of the space in use, are the most reliable evidence during a compliance check.
Heating and cooling receive expanded attention in the updated guidance. Properties in colder regional areas are expected to have year-round heating in living and sleeping areas, and cooling capacity is now explicitly referenced for locations that regularly exceed 30 degrees in summer. Portable units remain acceptable, provided they are appropriate to the space.
For employers, the practical action list is straightforward: review current housing against the updated ratios, document what is in place, and identify any properties that will need adjustment or replacement before the next scheduled inspection. Where properties are shared across multiple employers, coordinate early — supply in regional markets is tight, and remediation options narrow quickly.
We work through these updates property-by-property with the employers we manage accommodation for, so the compliance work happens quietly in the background. If you'd like a review of your current arrangement against the 2026 standards, get in touch.