The Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) is Australia’s ballot-based permanent visa for citizens of Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste. Up to 3,000 places are offered each year: you register for the ballot for AUD 25, and if selected you must secure a formal job offer in Australia and meet English, health and character requirements before the visa is granted.
Fiji nationals can also explore visa sponsorship jobs in Fiji for foreigners.
Who Can Apply for Australian PEV?
Agricultural roles are common first jobs — see fruit picking agricultural jobs in Australia.
People from eligible Pacific nations and Timor-Leste who want to live and work in Australia can apply for the Australian Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) 2026. Applicants must fulfill the following requirements in order to be eligible:
- Age Requirement: You must be between the ages of 18 and 45.
- Nationality: Possess a current passport from Timor-Leste or an eligible Pacific nation.
- Birth Eligibility: You must have been born in a participating nation or have a parent who was born there.
- Registration Fee: You must pay AUD 25 to register to vote.
The worst part is that winning the ballot is only the first step! To move on with their visa applications, chosen candidates (or their spouses) must obtain a formal job offer in Australia and fulfill the prerequisites for basic English proficiency.
PEV Visa Allocations:
With 1,515 spots, Papua New Guinea leads the pack, followed by Fiji (300), Timor-Leste (300), and Tonga (300), according to the Australian government’s breakdown of Pacific Engagement Visa slots for 2026. The distribution of visa slots in the area is as follows:
| Country | Places |
|---|---|
| Federated States of Micronesia | 24 |
| Fiji | 300 |
| Nauru | 150 |
| Palau | 11 |
| Papua New Guinea | 1,515 |
| Solomon Islands | 150 |
| Timor-Leste | 300 |
| Tonga | 300 |
| Tuvalu | 100 |
| Vanuatu | 150 |
Read Also: Documents Required for Australia Visa
How to Get In?
Step 1: Register for the Ballot
- During the official registration time, register using Australia’s ImmiAccount.
Step 2: Wait for Selection
- An automated random draw is used to choose applicants.
Step 3: Secure a Job and Complete the Visa Process
- Candidates must receive a job offer in Australia if they are chosen.
- An employment support event is planned to assist with job placement:
Employment Support Service – Job Preparation
Step 4: Pass Health and Character Checks
- Candidates must receive a job offer in Australia if they are chosen.
- An employment support event is planned to assist with job placement:
Browse work visa sponsorship jobs in Australia to help secure an offer.
Pacific Engagement Visa Ballot Dates and How Selection Works
What is the Pacific Engagement Visa?
The PEV is a permanent residence visa for up to 3,000 citizens of Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste each year. Selection is by random ballot, and chosen applicants must then secure an Australian job offer and satisfy English, health and character requirements to be granted the visa.
Who can apply for the Pacific Engagement Visa?
You must be aged 18 to 45, hold a passport from an eligible Pacific nation or Timor-Leste, and have been born in a participating country or have a parent born there. Country allocations vary, with Papua New Guinea receiving the largest share of places.
How much does PEV ballot registration cost?
Registering for the PEV ballot costs AUD 25, paid when you register through ImmiAccount during the official registration period. The fee is non-refundable, so confirm you meet the age and nationality requirements before registering.
What happens after I am selected in the PEV ballot?
Selection is only the first step. You must obtain a formal job offer in Australia — employment support services can help with job preparation — then lodge your visa application and pass health and character checks plus basic English requirements before the visa is granted.
See which sectors are hiring in Australia inviting applications of skilled workers.
Finally, review the documents required for an Australia visa.
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