Pacific Engagement (192)

The Pacific Engagement visa (subclass 192) gives successful applicants permanent residence in Australia so they can live and work here. From 1 May 2025 the program runs in two streams (Pacific Engagement and Treaty for Tuvalu). Places are allocated by a ballot (lottery) for each stream in each intake period.

Streams

• Pacific Engagement stream for eligible nationals of Pacific Island countries and Timor‑Leste.
• Treaty stream (Tuvalu) for Tuvalu nationals under the Australia‑Tuvalu treaty.
  Note: Ballots are used to select who can apply. For example, the 2025–26 Pacific Engagement ballot closed on 25 August 2025 and the Treaty ballot for Tuvalu closed on 18 July 2025 (these dates are examples of past intakes — check current ballot dates when applying).

What this visa lets you do

• Live in Australia permanently.
• Work and study in Australia.
• Access some social services and Medicare (if eligible), and sponsor certain family members later (subject to rules).
• Travel in and out of Australia while the travel facility on the visa is valid.

Who can apply / main eligibility points

• Be a national of a qualifying Pacific island country or Timor‑Leste (or Tuvalu for the Treaty stream).
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Meet any stream‑specific rules set by the Department.
• Be successful in the ballot for your stream (where ballots apply) or meet the direct entry requirements for that intake.

How to apply simple steps

1. Check if your country is eligible
2. Enter the ballot (when open) for your stream — if selected in the ballot you will be invited to apply.
3. If invited, gather required documents and complete the visa application. 
4. Wait for health, character and visa decision checks to be completed.
5. If granted, follow any conditions and note travel validity.

Important notes and cautions

• Spaces are limited and allocation is managed by ballot for each intake being eligible does not guarantee a place.
• Follow ballot and application timelines exactly; missed deadlines can mean you cannot apply for that intake.
• Meeting health and character requirements is essential.