From Monday, Pacific island and Timor-Leste nationals will be able to register for Australia’s second annual Pacific Engagement Visa stream (PEV) ballot.
The PEV provides opportunities for up to 3,000 Pacific island and Timorese nationals to live, work and study in Australia each year.
Samoa and Kiribati will join the programme in 2025-26, showing their strong interest in closer links between our countries and peoples.
Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga and Vanuatu will continue to participate in 2025-26.
The inaugural PEV ballot in 2024-25 demonstrated the keen interest from the region for deeper connections and enhanced integration with Australia, with over 56,000 ballot registrations.
Australia has granted over 1,000 PEVs since October 2024, with many visa holders now settled with their families in Australian communities.
The PEV programme will grow the Pacific island and Timor-Leste diasporas in Australia, strengthening links between our people and encouraging business and education ties.
PEV holders can move freely between Australia and their home countries over their lifetime, delivering education, skills and economic dividends for the region and linking us more closely together.
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong said: “The Pacific Engagement Visa highlights Australia’s commitment to the Pacific family and Timor-Leste.
“Strengthening our ties between the Pacific and Timor-Leste through people and education is central to our shared ambition for a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.
“The opening of the second ballot is a milestone in an initiative that will offer life-changing opportunities for families and communities in our region.”
Australian Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Tony Burke said: “I am pleased to open the PEV ballot for a second year. The PEV demonstrates Australia’s commitment to deepening relationships with Pacific island nations and Timor-Leste.
“I look forward to more people from the Pacific and Timor-Leste settling in Australia and enhancing our nation’s rich cultural diversity.”
Australian Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy said: “The Pacific Engagement Visa programme responds to requests from the Pacific for greater regional mobility and access to education and training opportunities.
“The programme is part of our commitment to listening and delivering on the priorities of our Pacific partners.
“I am so pleased that Samoa and Kiribati are joining the ballot this year.
“It is a great way of bringing the peoples of the Pacific together, growing the diaspora in Australia and creating opportunities for our Pacific neighbours,” he said.
