Pacific Engagement Visa Subclass 192
Key Overview, Eligibility, Countries, Cost and Ballot Process
Last updated: 18 Aug 2026
The Pacific Engagement visa subclass 192 is a permanent Australian visa pathway for eligible citizens of participating Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste. It allows successful applicants to live, work and study in Australia permanently.
For the Pacific Engagement stream, applicants cannot apply directly for the visa first. They must register in the ballot, be randomly selected, and then be invited to submit a full visa application.
If you are comparing this visa with other Australian migration options, you can also explore RACC Australia’s migration services.
Key Overview
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Visa name: Pacific Engagement visa
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Subclass: 192
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Main stream covered in this guide: Pacific Engagement stream
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Visa type: Permanent residence visa
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Stay duration: Permanent stay in Australia
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Annual allocation: Up to 3,000 visas per year
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Family included in allocation: Yes, partners and dependent children are included in the 3,000 annual places
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Selection method: Random ballot
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Ballot registration fee: AUD25
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Visa Application Charge: AUD345 for the primary applicant and AUD85 for each spouse, partner or legally dependent child
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Age requirement for ballot registration: 18 to 45 years old
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2026-27 ballot dates: Opened 1 July 2026 and closed 29 July 2026
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Application deadline if selected: 120 calendar days from the date of selection
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Job offer requirement: Yes, a formal ongoing job offer in Australia is required from the primary applicant or their spouse/de facto partner
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Eligible countries: 12 participating countries
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Can family members be included: Yes, a partner and legally dependent children may be included
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Official application platform: ImmiAccount
For official programme details, refer to the Department of Home Affairs Pacific Engagement visa subclass 192 page.
For related RACC guides, read our Pacific Engagement Visa ballot guide and Pacific Engagement Visa requirements guide.
What Is the Pacific Engagement Visa?
The Pacific Engagement visa subclass 192 is designed to support permanent migration from the Pacific and Timor-Leste to Australia.
The visa provides eligible citizens from participating countries with a pathway to Australian permanent residence. However, the process is controlled through a ballot. Registering in the ballot does not guarantee selection, and being selected does not guarantee the visa will be granted.
Applicants must still meet all visa criteria before approval.
RACC Australia also has a broader Pacific Engagement Visa Australia guide covering this pathway.
Pacific Engagement Visa Subclass 192 Streams
The Pacific Engagement visa subclass 192 has two streams:
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Pacific Engagement stream
For eligible nationals from participating Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste. -
Treaty stream (Tuvalu)
For Tuvalu nationals only, connected to the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty.
This page focuses on the Pacific Engagement stream.
The Pacific Engagement stream is different from the Falepili Mobility Pathway. DFAT explains this distinction on its official Pacific Engagement Visa page.
Pacific Engagement Visa Eligibility
To register for the Pacific Engagement stream ballot, applicants must meet the official ballot eligibility rules.
You must:
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be aged 18 to 45
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hold a valid passport from a participating country
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have been born in, or have a parent who was born in, an eligible country
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pay the AUD25 ballot registration fee
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register during the official ballot registration period
If selected in the ballot, you must then meet the visa application requirements.
These include:
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being selected in the Pacific Engagement Visa ballot
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applying online before the deadline stated in the Notification of Selection letter
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applying as a citizen of the same country used in the ballot registration
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meeting the English language requirement
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meeting health requirements
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meeting character requirements
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having adequate means to support yourself and any migrating family members
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having a formal ongoing job offer in Australia, either for you or your spouse/de facto partner
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signing the Australian Values Statement if aged 18 or older
For a practical breakdown of supporting documents and eligibility points, read RACC Australia’s Pacific Engagement Visa requirements guide.
If you are unsure whether your circumstances meet the visa criteria, you can book through RACC Australia’s migration and education consultation page.
Participating Countries
The Pacific Engagement stream is available to eligible citizens of these 12 participating countries:
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Federated States of Micronesia
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Fiji
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Kiribati
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Palau
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Papua New Guinea
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Republic of the Marshall Islands
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Samoa
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Solomon Islands
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Timor-Leste
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Tonga
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Tuvalu
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Vanuatu
Applicants must hold a valid passport from a participating country and apply as a citizen of the same country used in their ballot registration.
The official country list and allocations are published by DFAT on the Pacific Engagement Visa page.
Pacific Engagement Visa Allocation 2026-27
For the 2026-27 programme year, DFAT lists these allocations:
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Papua New Guinea: 1,350 places
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Fiji: 300 places
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Solomon Islands: 300 places
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Timor-Leste: 300 places
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Samoa: 150 places
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Tonga: 150 places
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Vanuatu: 150 places
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Kiribati: 100 places
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Tuvalu: 100 places
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Federated States of Micronesia: 50 places
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Palau: 50 places
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Republic of the Marshall Islands: 50 places
The total annual allocation is up to 3,000 visas, including partners and dependent children.
Pacific Engagement Visa Ballot Dates
For the 2026-27 Pacific Engagement stream, the ballot:
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opened on 1 July 2026
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closed on 29 July 2026
As at 18 August 2026, the 2026-27 ballot registration period has already closed.
Home Affairs states that random ballot selections occur after the ballot has closed. For a detailed step-by-step explanation, visit RACC Australia’s Pacific Engagement Visa ballot guide.
How the Ballot Process Works
The Pacific Engagement Visa process has several stages:
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The ballot opens for participating countries.
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Eligible applicants register online through ImmiAccount.
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The applicant pays the AUD25 ballot registration fee.
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Home Affairs conducts random selection after the registration period closes.
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Selected applicants receive a Notification of Selection letter.
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Selected applicants have 120 calendar days from the date of selection to submit the visa application online.
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Home Affairs assesses the visa application against all requirements.
If you are not selected in the ballot, you cannot apply for the Pacific Engagement visa for that ballot round.
For official ballot information, refer to the Department of Home Affairs ballot registration overview.
Cost of the Pacific Engagement Visa
There are separate costs for ballot registration and the visa application.
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Ballot registration fee: AUD25
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Primary applicant Visa Application Charge: AUD345
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Spouse, partner or legally dependent child Visa Application Charge: AUD85 each
Applicants should also plan for other possible costs, including:
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passports
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health examinations
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police certificates
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biometrics
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flights
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moving costs
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rent and rental bond in Australia
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settlement costs after arrival
The ballot fee does not guarantee selection. For official cost information, see the Pacific Engagement Visa Support Service cost guide.
Job Offer Requirement
A job offer is required for the Pacific Engagement stream at the visa application stage.
If selected in the ballot, either the primary applicant or their spouse/de facto partner must have a formal ongoing job offer in Australia.
The job offer should be:
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written
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genuine
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for ongoing employment in Australia
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from an Australian employer
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on employment conditions that are not less favourable than those for an Australian citizen doing equivalent work at the same location
Meeting the job offer requirement does not guarantee visa approval. Applicants must still meet all other visa criteria.
Because the Pacific Engagement stream requires a formal ongoing job offer at the visa application stage, applicants may also want to understand how Australian employment-based pathways work. RACC Australia explains this further in our employer sponsored visas guide.
English Requirement
Selected applicants must meet the English language requirement.
Home Affairs lists several ways this may be shown, including:
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completing secondary schooling in a Pacific island country
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working in Australia for a total period of at least 12 months on a visa with work rights
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studying in Australia at secondary school level or higher for at least 12 months
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working or studying for at least 12 months in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada or New Zealand
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completing an accepted English language test
For IELTS, Home Affairs lists a score of at least 5.0 for each of the listening and speaking components.
In some cases, applicants may be able to complete a Pacific Engagement Visa English Language Undertaking and participate in the Adult Migrant English Program after arrival, if eligible.
Health and Character Requirements
Applicants and family members included in the visa application must meet health and character requirements.
Character requirements apply to family members aged 16 years and over who apply with the applicant.
Family members who are not included in the visa application may also need to meet health or character requirements.
Home Affairs advises applicants not to organise health examinations until they are successful in the ballot and invited to apply.
Selected applicants still need to meet visa requirements after ballot selection. For a practical checklist, read our Pacific Engagement Visa requirements guide.
Benefits of the Pacific Engagement Visa
If granted, the Pacific Engagement visa subclass 192 allows you to:
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stay in Australia permanently
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live, work and study in Australia
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travel to and from Australia while your travel facility permits
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sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia
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access Medicare
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apply for Australian citizenship if eligible
DFAT also states that Pacific Engagement Visa holders have access to settlement supports, including the Adult Migrant English Program and Settlement Engagement and Transition Support Program.
Pacific Engagement Visa holders may also access certain education and family support benefits if they meet the relevant eligibility criteria.
For official programme benefits and settlement information, refer to the DFAT Pacific Engagement Visa page.
Can Family Members Be Included?
Yes. Applicants may include:
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a partner
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legally dependent children
Family members included in the application must meet the relevant visa requirements, including health and character requirements.
Partners and dependent children are included in the annual allocation of up to 3,000 visas.
Pacific Engagement Stream vs Treaty Stream Tuvalu
The Pacific Engagement stream and Treaty stream are both under subclass 192, but they are not the same.
The Pacific Engagement stream is for eligible nationals from participating Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste.
The Treaty stream is for Tuvalu nationals only and supports Australia’s obligations under the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty.
DFAT states that the Pacific Engagement Visa is different from the Falepili Mobility Pathway, also known as the Falepili visa or Treaty Stream (Tuvalu) visa. You can read the official treaty context on DFAT’s Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty page.
For the Pacific Engagement stream, a formal ongoing job offer is required at the visa application stage.
What If You Are Not Eligible or Not Selected?
If you are not eligible for the Pacific Engagement Visa, or if you are not selected in the ballot, you may still have other Australian visa options depending on your:
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study background
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work experience
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occupation
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English level
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family situation
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job offer
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long-term migration goals
Alternative pathways may include skilled migration, student visas, graduate visas, employer-sponsored visas or family visas, depending on your individual circumstances.
You can review RACC Australia’s PR pathways and visa options consultation.
If your long-term plan includes studying in Australia before exploring work or migration pathways, see RACC Australia’s apply course and student visa service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pacific Engagement visa subclass 192?
The Pacific Engagement visa subclass 192 is a permanent Australian visa pathway for eligible citizens of participating Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste. For the Pacific Engagement stream, applicants must first register in the ballot and be selected before applying for the visa.
Is the Pacific Engagement Visa permanent?
Yes. The Pacific Engagement visa subclass 192 is a permanent residence visa.
How many Pacific Engagement visas are available each year?
Up to 3,000 visas are available each year for the Pacific Engagement stream. This number includes partners and dependent children.
What is the age limit for the Pacific Engagement Visa ballot?
Applicants must be aged 18 to 45 to register for the Pacific Engagement stream ballot.
How much is the Pacific Engagement Visa ballot fee?
The ballot registration fee is AUD25.
How much is the Pacific Engagement Visa application fee?
The Pacific Engagement Visa Support Service states that the Visa Application Charge is AUD345 for the primary applicant and AUD85 for each spouse, partner or legally dependent child included in the application.
Do I need a job offer for the Pacific Engagement Visa?
Yes. For the Pacific Engagement stream, the primary applicant or their spouse/de facto partner must have a formal ongoing job offer in Australia at the visa application stage.
Can I apply without being selected in the ballot?
No. For the Pacific Engagement stream, you can only apply for the visa if you are selected in the ballot and invited to apply.
Which countries are eligible for the Pacific Engagement Visa?
The eligible participating countries are Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Is Indonesia eligible for the Pacific Engagement Visa?
No. Indonesia is not listed as a participating country for the Pacific Engagement stream.
Is Nauru eligible for the 2026-27 Pacific Engagement Visa?
Nauru is not listed in the 2026-27 participating countries published by DFAT for the Pacific Engagement Visa allocation.
When did the 2026-27 ballot open and close?
The 2026-27 Pacific Engagement stream ballot opened on 1 July 2026 and closed on 29 July 2026.
How long do selected applicants have to apply?
Selected applicants have 120 calendar days from the date of selection to submit the visa application online.
Does ballot registration give me a bridging visa?
No. Home Affairs states that ballot registration is not a visa application. Registering in the ballot does not mean you will receive a bridging visa.
Can family members be included?
Yes. Applicants may include a partner and legally dependent children. Family members must meet the relevant visa requirements.
Is the Pacific Engagement Visa the same as PALM?
No. DFAT states that the Pacific Engagement Visa is different from the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme. The Pacific Engagement Visa is a permanent residence visa pathway, while PALM is a separate labour mobility programme.
Get Advice Before You Apply
The Pacific Engagement visa subclass 192 is a permanent visa pathway, but it has strict ballot, eligibility, job offer, document, health, character and English requirements.
Before making decisions, check the latest official information and consider speaking with a registered migration professional.
RACC Australia is based in Melbourne, Victoria and provides education and migration services for clients exploring Australian study, work and migration pathways. Learn more about the team on our About RACC page.
Need help checking your visa options? Start with RACC Australia’s book consultation page.
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