The Australian Government’s Pacific Engagement visa (PEV) ballot for Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste Nationals will commence on 3 June 2024. The ballot involves an electronic random selection process.
The PEV is a permanent resident visa program aimed at building greater people, cultural, business, and educational links between Australia and the Pacific. It enables permanent stay in Australia.
How to Participate
To enter the visa ballot, you must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a valid passport from a participating country
- Be aged between 18 and 45 at the time of the ballot commencement
- Have either been born in or have a parent born in a participating country
- Complete an online ballot registration form and pay a registration fee of AUD$25
The ballot process, conducted electronically, randomly selects individuals to apply for the Pacific Engagement Visa. It ensures equal access regardless of skill level, occupation, or gender, promoting fairness and transparency for people from Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste. Additionally, the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme workers in Australia are eligible to participate in the ballot.
If you’re not selected, a new registration will need to be submitted for participants to enter the next ballot.
PEV Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the PEV (subclass 192), you must:
- Be randomly selected through the PEV ballot
- Fall within the age range of 18 to 45 years
- Hold a valid visa if applying from inside Australia
- Secure a formal job offer in Australia
- Meet other visa requirements, including English language proficiency, character, and health checks.
Support will be provided by the Australian government to connect successful ballot entrants with employers. The base PEV application charge is AUD$325, with additional fees for extra applicants.
Further information on the visa process and detailed eligibility requirements will be released by the Department ahead of the PEV’s commencement.
Participating Countries
Countries currently participating in the PEV include:
- Fiji (300 allocations)
- Papua New Guinea (1350 allocations)
- Tonga
- Federated States of Micronesia (50 allocations)
- Nauru (100 allocations)
- Palau (50 allocations)
- Solomon Islands (150 allocations)
- Timor-Leste (300 allocations)
- Tuvalu (100 allocations)
- Vanuatu (150 allocations)
Each country has been allocated a specific number of vias to ensure equitable opportunities for all eligible applicants. Allocations for 2024 are tailored to factors such as population size, existing migration opportunities, and participation country views.
Settlement Support
As a PEV holder, you’ll enjoy various benefits to support your settlement in Australia. From access to Australia’s universal healthcare system, and Medicare, to public schools and Commonwealth-supported university places.
Financial assistance programs like Family Tax Benefit (FTB) A and B, Child Care Subsidy, and access to Higher Education Loan Program (HELP), VET student loans (VSL), Youth Allowance (Student), and Youth Allowance (Apprentice) may also be available. Best of all, there are no waiting periods for these benefits!
You will also be eligible to receive free access to the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) and the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) Program.
Final thoughts
Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:
“The Albanese Government is delivering on our commitment to deepen our connections with the Pacific and Timor-Leste with the commencement of the Pacific Engagement Visa.”
This is excellent news for a growing number of the diaspora in Australia, fostering connections and strengthening ties between communities, encouraging cultural, business, and educational exchanges.
The PEV will provide visa holders with more significant opportunities to choose where they live, work, and study, as there are no restrictions. Contact our office at info@migrationaffairs.com.au to find out more about this incredible opportunity!
Contact Migration Affairs for assistance and guidance on your Pacific Engagement Visa journey. From understanding the PEV ballot process to navigating the visa application requirements, we’ll provide comprehensive support to ensure you’re well informed and prepared.
Changes to the migration program can occur without notice. The above information is not intended to be legal advice and is correct as of the date of writing this article.
