2026–27 Ballot: Dates & Key Information

The 2026–27 Pacific Engagement Visa ballot is now confirmed.

The ballot opens on 1 July 2026 and closes on 29 July 2026. You have 29 days to register. The window does not extend — miss it and you wait until the next program year.

Key costs to know before you register:

• Ballot registration fee: AU$25 (non-refundable)

• Visa application fee for the primary applicant: AU$335

• Visa application fee for each dependent: AU$80

• Visa places available in 2026–27: up to 3,000, inclusive of partners and dependants

Source: pev.gov.au and Department of Home Affairs, June 2026

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Countries Participating in the 2026–27 PEV Ballot

You must hold citizenship from one of the following countries to register:

• Federated States of Micronesia

• Fiji

• Kiribati

• Palau

• Papua New Guinea

• Republic of the Marshall Islands

• Samoa

• Solomon Islands

• Timor-Leste

• Tonga

• Tuvalu

Always confirm the current list at pev.gov.au before registering. Participating countries may change between program years.

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What to Do Before 1 July 2026

Do not wait until the ballot opens to prepare. Complete this checklist now.

Eligibility checks:

• Confirm you hold citizenship and a valid passport from a participating country

• Confirm you will be aged 18–45 on 1 July 2026

• Confirm you were born in — or have a parent born in — an eligible country, Australia, or New Zealand

Account and payment:

• Create your ImmiAccount at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au now — do not wait until 1 July

• Have AU$25 ready for the registration fee

• Have your passport details, date of birth, and family information ready

If you plan to include family:

• Confirm your partner's and children's passport details

• Only legally dependent children can be included

If you were not selected in 2024–25 or 2025–26:

• You can register again in 2026–27 as long as you still meet all eligibility requirements

Speak to a registered migration agent before the ballot opens to confirm your eligibility and understand what documents you need if selected. The job offer requirement is where most selected applicants get stuck — get advice on this early.

Book a free consultation with RACC

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Note for PALM Scheme Workers

If you are currently working in Australia on a valid PALM scheme temporary visa, you can register for the 2026–27 PEV ballot while it is open. The Pacific Engagement Visa is a separate program from PALM — it is a permanent residence visa, not a temporary labour mobility arrangement.

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What is the Pacific Engagement Visa Ballot?

The Pacific Engagement Visa ballot is a random selection process used by the Australian Government to manage the number of visa applicants.

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Applicants must first register in the ballot. The government then conducts random selections. Selected applicants receive an invitation to apply for the visa.

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Ballot selection does not guarantee visa approval. Selected applicants must still meet all eligibility requirements and submit a full visa application.

 

Learn more about the visa pathway in Pacific Engagement Visa Australia.​

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Pacific Engagement Visa Australia Ballot (Subclass 192)

The Pacific Engagement Visa ballot is the official selection process for the Pacific Engagement Visa Australia. The Department of Home Affairs uses the ballot to manage application numbers and allocate visa places across participating Pacific countries.

 

Who Can Enter the Pacific Engagement Visa Ballot?

Applicants must meet basic criteria before entering the ballot.

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Citizenship

Applicants must hold citizenship from a participating Pacific country or Timor-Leste.

See the full list in Pacific Engagement Visa Eligible Countries Guide.

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Valid Passport

Applicants must provide passport details during ballot registration.

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Genuine Intention to Work in Australia

Applicants must intend to live and work in Australia if selected.

Applicants must also meet full eligibility requirements before submitting the visa application. See Pacific Engagement Visa Requirements Guide.​

 

How to Register for Pacific Engagement Visa Ballot

Applicants can complete ballot registration online.

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Step 1 – Create an ImmiAccount

Applicants must create an account in the Australian immigration system.

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Step 2 – Submit Ballot Registration

Applicants must enter personal details and passport information.

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Step 3 – Pay Ballot Registration Fee

Applicants must pay the ballot registration fee during submission.

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Step 4 – Receive Registration Confirmation

The system will confirm successful ballot registration.

Applicants will then enter the ballot pool. For official registration instructions, see Australian Department of Home Affairs.​

 

Pacific Engagement Visa Australia Ballot Registration Fee

The ballot registration fee is AU$25. Pay this fee when submitting your registration through ImmiAccount.

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This fee is non-refundable. You will not receive a refund if you are not selected in the ballot draw.

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If you are selected and proceed to apply for the visa, additional fees apply, AU$335 for the primary applicant and AU$80 for each dependent. These are separate from the ballot registration fee.

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Payment of the ballot fee does not guarantee selection.

For the latest fee information, see Australian Department of Home Affairs.

 

How the Pacific Engagement Visa Ballot Selection Works

The government conducts random selections from the ballot pool.

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Ballot Selection Process

1. Applicants submit ballot registration.

2. The Department collects all registrations.

3. The Department conducts random ballot draws.

4. The Department invites selected applicants to apply.

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The government may allocate ballot selections between participating countries.

Selected applicants can then proceed with the visa application process.​

 

What Happens After Ballot Selection?

Selected applicants receive an invitation to apply for the visa.

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Applicants must then:

• secure a job offer from an Australian employer

• prepare required documents

• complete health examinations

• provide police clearance certificates
   

Applicants must submit their visa application within the deadline provided.

Learn about required documents in Pacific Engagement Visa Requirements Guide.

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What Happens If You Are Not Selected?

Not every ballot registration receives selection.

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Applicants who do not receive selection can:

• enter the ballot again in future rounds

• explore other migration pathways

• apply for alternative visa programs
   

Examples of alternative visas include:

• Skilled Migration Visa

• Student Visa Australia

• Temporary Graduate Visa (TR-485)

• Employer Sponsored Visa
   

These visas provide other migration opportunities depending on skills, education, and work experience.​

 

Pacific Engagement Visa Ballot vs Visa Application

The ballot and the visa application are two separate stages.

Entering the ballot does not mean you have applied for the visa.

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The ballot is a random selection process. You register, pay AU$25, and wait to be drawn. Most registrants are not selected.

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The visa application comes after selection. If selected, you receive an invitation and must then secure a job offer, prepare documents, complete health and character checks, and submit a full application through ImmiAccount.

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Being selected in the ballot does not guarantee a visa. You must still meet all eligibility requirements before the visa can be granted.