Palefu began his career as a teacher at Mailefihi Siu'ilikutapu College in Vava'u in 1979. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of the South Pacific in Fiji in 1985, and completed a Masters of Science at the University of Technology in Perth, Australia in 1993.[1] He later completed a PhD at the University of Toronto in Canada.[2] From 1996 to 1997 he was principal of Taufa'ahau Pilolevu College in Ha'apai, and he was principal of Tupou College from 1997 to 20000.[2] In 1998 he was ordained as a Methodist Minister.
On January 25 2005 he was appointed Minister for Education, Women's Affairs and Culture.[1][2]