The Australian Government opened registration for the 2025–26 Pacific Engagement Visa (Subclass 192) ballot, offering eligible citizens from Pacific Island nations a life-changing opportunity to live and work permanently in Australia.

The program is designed to strengthen people-to-people links between Australia and the Pacific, while giving families a secure future in Australia.

 

Those with an eligible passport have until 25 August 2025 to register in a ballot. From there 3,000 people will be randomly selected and be invited to apply for a PEV visa.

 

PEV Eligibility & Participating Countries

To be eligible for a PEV applicants must:

• Be aged 18–45 at the time of application for the visa; and
• Be a citizen of one of the participating countries: Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu; and
• Provide an offer employment in Australia for the applicant or their spouse. The offer of employment can be full-time ongoing, permanent part-time or a fixed-term contract; and
• Have good health and character; and
• Have functional English

Pacific Engagement Visa Costs

• Registration fee: AUD $25 to enter the ballot
• Application fee: AUD $335 for the main applicant and AUD$80 for each family member (payable only if you are invited to apply for a visa)

Tips For Couple’s Registering In The PEV Ballot

For couples completing a ballot registration, we recommend you and your partner complete separate registrations and include all family members in each registration even the spouse who registers separately. Having two ballot registrations doubles the couples’ chance of being selected to apply for a visa.

 

The criteria for grant of a PEV allows the person who is picked from the ballot or their spouse to provide:

• A contract of employment
• Evidence of English language ability

this means either person in the couple could meet each criterion.

 

The PEV ballot is designed to give greater flexibility to applicants to enable more people to meet the PEV requirements. It is possible for the person selected in the ballot to apply for the PEV visa and rely on their spouse’s job offer and English language ability. In this way couples have an advances over single applicants.

 

Why optimising your PEV ballot matters

Last year the PEV ballot attracted 56,000 entries. Interest is expected to be even higher this year. By having each member of a couple enter the ballot separately the family’s chances of an invitation are higher.

 

If you meet the Pacific Engagement Visa eligibility criteria and would like help to register your interest for the visa. Please reach out to our immigration experts who can guide you through the ballot process and ensure you maximise your chances of success.