In response to appeals from Pacific leaders, the Australian Government is taking steps to forge stronger connections and promote greater regional mobility. This dedication involves improving accessibility, mobility, and migration opportunities to fortify bonds within the Pacific region. Enabling permanent migration from the Pacific to Australia is a pivotal element of our comprehensive strategy to nurture a more resilient Pacific Family.
To make this happen, the Government has introduced a new type of permanent visa called the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV). This visa will be available for people from certain Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste, and it’s designed to grow the community of people from the Pacific living in Australia. The goal is to encourage more cultural, business, and educational exchanges between our countries.
The Australian Government plan to launch the Pacific Engagement Visa (Subclass 192) in 2024. Each year, The Australian Government offer up to 3,000 permanent slots specifically for citizens of selected Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste, along with their immediate family members. This is on top of the spaces already available in Australia’s regular permanent migration program.
In a significant step, on October 19, 2023, the Australian Government passed a law to use a ballot system for the new Pacific Engagement Visa. This means that people from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste, regardless of their skill level, gender, or background, will have an equal chance to apply for a permanent visa to Australia.