Australia: New Permanent Resident Visa Program for Nationals of Pacific Island Countries and Timor Leste To Be Implemented

Update - April 30, 2024: The government will open the program on June 3, 2024 (later than expected). On this date, Pacific Island and Timor-Leste nationals will be able to apply for the new permanent resident visa program. There will be 3,000 allotted slots for this program and, to be eligible, applicants must secure a formal ongoing job offer in Australia and meet health and character requirements. Once granted, these visa holders will have access to a range of benefits, including migrant settlement services, English language programs, public schools, healthcare and financial support. Further details on eligibility and allocation details are available here. 

March 21, 2024: The Department of Home Affairs announced that it will implement the new Subclass 192 – Pacific Engagement visa on March 29, 2024. This will provide an additional pathway to permanent residency in Australia for nationals of participating Pacific Island countries (The Cook Islands, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu) and Timor-Leste (including their dependents). Through this program, Australia intends to deepen its connections to the region by growing the Pacific and Timor-Leste diaspora in the country and by encouraging a greater cultural, business and educational exchange.