Pacific Engagement Visa (Subclass 192): A Complete Guide to the New Permanent Visa in Australia

What Is the Pacific Engagement Visa (Subclass 192)?

The Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) is a permanent residence visa that allows eligible citizens of participating Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste to live and work in Australia permanently. The visa aims to strengthen social, cultural, business, and educational ties between Australia and the region through a ballot (lottery) selection process with up to 3,000 visas each year.

Visa Streams Under the Pacific Engagement Visa (Subclass 192)

The Pacific Engagement visa (Subclass 192) includes two main streams:

1. Pacific Engagement Stream

This is the core stream for most applicants — citizens of eligible Pacific island nations and Timor-Leste who enter the ballot and are randomly selected can apply under this stream.

2. Treaty Stream (Tuvalu)

This stream specifically applies exclusively to Tuvaluan nationals under the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty and has a separate ballot with up to 280 allocated places in the 2025-2026 Program year.

Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for the Pacific Engagement Visa ballot, applicants must meet the following criteria at the time the ballot opens:

Basic Eligibility

• Between 18 and 45 years when the ballot opens.
• Must hold a valid passport from a participating Pacific island country or Timor-Leste.
• Must have been born in or have a parent born from an eligible country.

You can include your spouse/partner and legally dependent children, in your ballot registration and eventual visa application. Nonetheless, eligible immediate family members (such as a spouse or child aged over 18) can also register in the ballot separately.

Participating Countries

The Pacific Engagement Visa ballot generally includes citizens of:

• Federated States of Micronesia
• Fiji
• Kiribati
• Nauru
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Timor-Leste
• Tonga
• Vanuatu

New Zealand, U.S. or French passport holders from Pacific territories are not eligible under this visa.

Ballot Selection

Prospective applicants can register for the ballot online through the Department of Home Affairs' ImmiAccount during ballot open periods.

The ballot involves an electronic random selection process. Those drawn from the ballot are then invited to apply for a Pacific Engagement (subclass 192) visa. Applicants need to demonstrate that they meet all relevant criteria before being granted a visa.

The ballot aims to provide eligible individuals from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste fair and transparent access to the program by randomly selecting ballot participants. This includes providing access to the ballot for existing Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme (PALM) workers in Australia.

The charge for entering the Pacific Engagement Visa ballot is $25.

If the registered person is not selected, a new registration will need to be submitted for participants to enter the next ballot.

After Ballot Selection – Core Requirements

Being selected in the ballot does not guarantee a visa. You must still meet and satisfy core requirements including:

1. Formal Job Offer

You (or your partner, if jointly applying) must secure a written, ongoing employment offer from an Australian employer whose employment terms must be no less favourable than those for an Australian citizen in the same role.

The Australian Government offers free employment support in connecting you with employers and job opportunities in Australia through its Employment Support Services. Learn more about employment support services here https://www.pev.gov.au/employment-support/for-applicants

2. Health & Character Checks

You and any family members included in the visa application must undergo medical examinations by a Department of Home Affairs-approved doctor and provide police certificates demonstrating good character.

3. English Language Requirement

Selected applicants must meet the English language requirement, which can be satisfied in several accredited testing system such International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Pearson Test of English (PTE).

Recent changes allow some flexibility, and Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) is available free after arrival for those who need support.

You may learn more about the English language requirement here https://www.workvisalawyers.com.au/news/all/august-2025-australian-immigration-news-visa-desert-delays-to-re-english-test-changes-and-processing-times.html

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language

Pacific Engagement Visa (Subclass 192) – Costs & Fees

Ballot Registration Fee

• AU$ 25 — paid to enter the Pacific Engagement Visa ballot once per registration (family included).

Visa Application Charges (VAC)

If selected to apply:

• AU$ 335 for the primary applicant.
• AU$ 80 for each partner or dependent child included in the application.

Benefits After Granting a Pacific Engagement Visa

Once granted, the Pacific Engagement Visa gives you and your family:

✔ Permanent residency in Australia.
✔ Unrestricted work and study rights.
✔ Access to Medicare (Australia’s public health system).
✔Eligibility for government education loans and benefits
✔ Free access to settlement support and English programs.

Visa allocations

Visa allocations under the Pacific engagement Visa are based on several factors such as but not limited to population size, diaspora in Australia, existing migration opportunities, expected demand and participating country views.

 The number of registrants for the ballot in the recently concluded 2025 Pacific Engagement Visa registration totaled to 186,783. Meanwhile, the allocations for each country totaled to 2850 places. Breakdown of the allocations is detailed below:

*does not include Treaty Stream (Tuvalu) allocations as no ballot was held.

Key Takeaway: Why the Pacific Engagement Visa Matters

The Pacific Engagement Visa (Subclass 192) marks a pivotal moment Australia’s migration policy for the Pacific region and Timor-Leste as it offers a genuine permanent residency pathway tied to employment opportunities. This unique ballot-based immigration program ensures fairness, expands community ties, and creates new opportunities for families in Australia.

While the process is competitive and sometimes complex, especially securing employment offers, the long-standing benefits of living, working, and accessing services in Australia make it a life-changing opportunity.

Stay informed, prepare documents early, and monitor official government updates for each ballot cycle. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Need Help Understanding Your Options?

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Frequently Asked Questions — Pacific Engagement Visa

Q1: What is the Pacific Engagement Visa?
A1: It’s a permanent residency visa for eligible Pacific and Timor-Leste nationals selected through a random ballot process, enabling them to live, work and study in Australia.

Q2: Do I need a job offer?
A2: Yes, a formal ongoing employment offer from an Australian employer is required to complete the visa application after ballot selection.

Q3: Is English proficiency mandatory?
A3: Yes, applicants must also meet and satisfy other core visa requirements, including English language requirement.

Q4: Can family members be included?
A4: Yes, spouse/partner and dependent children can be included in the ballot registration and visa application.

Q5: What happens if I’m not selected?
A5: You may enter the next ballot year by registering again if you remain eligible.

RESOURCES

• https://www.pev.gov.au/pacific-engagement-visa-overview
• https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/pacific/people-connections/people-connections-in-the-pacific/pacific-engagement-visa
• https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language
• https://www.pev.gov.au/employment-support/for-applicants
• https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/pacific-engagement/subclass-192-treaty-stream
• https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/pacific-engagement
• https://devpolicy.org/pev-popularity-grows-as-timor-leste-takes-top-slot-20251106/#
• https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/pacific-engagement/subclass-192-treaty-stream