The Australian Government has officially opened registrations for the 2026-27 Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) ballot. Eligible nationals of 12 Pacific island countries plus Timor-Leste have until 29 July 2026 to enter the online ballot for one of 3,000 permanent-residence places. Every participating country receives a capped allocation, and successful registrants will be randomly selected from 5 August. The PEV (subclass 192) is designed to deepen people-to-people links and labour mobility between Australia and its Pacific neighbours. Successful applicants can live and work in Australia indefinitely and sponsor family members once settled. Unlike the New Zealand family stream, the PEV is quota-controlled and demand is expected to exceed supply. Ballot registration costs AUD 25, while the subsequent visa application—payable only by those selected—costs AUD 325. Selected candidates will have 120 days to lodge a full application, including health, character and English tests. Employers operating in agriculture, aged-care, hospitality and construction sectors are watching closely; the PEV provides an additional, settlement-focused talent source beyond short-term Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme visas. Businesses can begin pipelining recruitment plans now but should avoid charging job-seekers any fees—doing so breaches both immigration and fair-work laws.
Source: Department of Home Affairs
