Changes to the Pacific Engagement (Subclass 192) Visa Program
The Pacific Engagement Visa (Subclass 192) visa was introduced as part of Australia's commitment to strengthening its relationship with Pacific island nations and Timor-Leste. This visa aims to provide migration pathways for citizens from these regions, enhancing regional mobility, workforce participation, and economic collaboration, offering exciting opportunities for citizens of Pacific island nations and Timor-Leste (excluding New Zealand) to come to Australia for work and contribute to local communities and economies.
The Pacific Engagement Visa (Subclass 192) Visa Program is capped at 3,000 places per year, separate from Australia’s permanent migration program, ensuring that the scheme remains targeted to meet regional needs.
On 27 April 2024, the Australian Government announced that Pacific Island and Timor-Leste nationals would be able to register for Australia's new Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) Program from 3 June 2024, providing new opportunities for Pacific and Timorese nationals to live, work and study in Australia.
On 3 June 2024, the highly anticipated Pacific Engagement (Subclass 192) Visa ballot opened for registration and later closed around August 2024, following which the Department of Home Affairs issued invitations to apply (ITAs) for the visa through the first random selection process.
Those who were successfully invited were given 120 days to apply for the Pacific Engagement (Subclass 192) visa in the Pacific Engagement stream, and a second round of invitations were sent out in early 2025 to fill remaining country allocations.
The Department has received many Subclass 192 visa applications which are presently being processed. In particular, the Department has been requesting further information and documents from many Subclass 192 visa applicants, including evidence of that they have a job offer to work in Australia, which is a requirement for the grant of a Subclass 192 visa.
What’s New in 2025?
New Treaty stream introduced for Tuvaluan citizens
The Migration Amendment (Australia Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty Visa) Regulations 2025 were registered on 20 February 2025 and will come into effect on 1 May 2025, introducing a new Treaty stream within the Pacific Engagement (Subclass 192) Visa Program, in addition to the existing Pacific Engagement stream.
Under the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty, 280 places have been allocated to Tuvaluan citizens, creating a special human mobility pathway for eligible Tuvaluan citizens to live, work, and study in Australia. Applicants must again be selected through a random ballot system, and must meet the following eligibility criteria to register in the ballot:
be at least 18 years old with no upper age limit
be a Tuvaluan citizen by birth or have a parent or grandparent born in Tuvalu
cannot have obtained Tuvaluan citizenship through investment
must not be a citizen of New Zealand
Refinement of Pre-application (Ballot) Process for Pacific Engagement stream
The Migration (Subclass 192 Pacific Engagement Visa Pre-application Process-Pacific Engagement Stream) Determination 2025 was registered on 25 February 2025 to refine the registration and pre-application process for citizens of the following countries, and will come into effect on 1 May 2025:
Fiji
Kiribati
Republic of Marshall Islands
Federated States of Micronesia
Nauru
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Timor-Leste
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
This new determination (LIN 25/020) replaces the previous 2024 version, outlining how the pre-application process works and further clarifying eligibility and procedural requirements:
Eligible participants must register in the ballot through the ImmiAccount.
Eligible participants can only register in the ballot during specific open periods set by the Department of Home Affairs.
The ballot is open to citizens aged 14 to 45 from Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste (excluding new Zealand citizens.
Participants must pay a registration fee of AUD$25 to register in the ballot.
Relaxed English language requirements
The Migration (English Language Requirements for Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) Visa-Pacific Engagement Stream) Instrument 2025 was registered on 25 February 2025 and will come into effect on 1 May 2025, outlining English language requirements for the Pacific Engagement stream of the Subclass 192 visa.
Under this new instrument, certain Subclass 192 visa applicants and their spouse/de facto partner may be required to meet the following English language requirements, in an English language test undertaken not more than 3 years before the date of the visa application (where evidence of the test is provided at lodgement) or the finalisation of the visa application (where evidence of the test is not provided at lodgement):
Unlike other visa categories, minimum reading and writing test scores are not required, with a focus on demonstrating satisfactory speaking and listening skills to support effective communication and community integration.
What To Look Out For
Going forward, persons participating in the Pacific Engagement (Subclass 192) Visa Ballot should be aware of the ballot registration process and ballot registration periods. They should also look out for updates from the Department of Home Affairs to see if they are invited to apply for a Subclass 192 visa, so as to ensure that they are able to lodge their Subclass 192 visa application within the specified timeframe.
Additionally, Pacific Engagement (Subclass 192) Visa Ballot participants should also familiarise themselves with the job search process in Australia, so that they are able to provide evidence of a job offer in Australia if they are invited to apply for the Subclass 192 visa, as this is a requirement for the grant of the Subclass 192 visa.
Should you wish to discuss your eligibility for the Pacific Engagement (Subclass 192) Visa, please do not hesitate to email us at info@inclusivemigration.com.au, submit an enquiry through our contact form or send us a message on WhatsApp.
