Australia’s Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) ballot for 2025 officially opens today, marking the second annual round of this innovative migration initiative designed to enhance regional connectivity and economic opportunity across the Pacific.
Unlike previous years, this is a new ballot draw, meaning registrations from the 2024 ballot will not carry over. All applicants must register afresh to be considered.
The PEV is distinctive in its inclusiveness: citizens from 11 participating Pacific countries — representing a diverse cross-section of cultures, economies, and geographies — are eligible regardless of skill level, occupation, or gender. This reflects Australia’s commitment to broadening pathways for mobility, beyond traditional skilled migration programs.
The countries participating in the 2025 PEV program are:
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Vanuatu
To be eligible to apply for a PEV, candidates must first be randomly selected through the ballot — a lottery system designed to ensure fairness and equal opportunity.
This approach acknowledges the varied development challenges across the Pacific and seeks to provide meaningful access to Australia’s labour market and educational institutions for a broad demographic, including those in rural or under-resourced areas.
The PEV complements Australia’s broader regional engagement strategy, which increasingly emphasises people-to-people links as a cornerstone of partnership with Pacific Island nations.
Prospective applicants can learn more about the registration process and eligibility requirements at http://spr.ly/6184fPJXK.
As the Pacific navigates shifting geopolitical dynamics and socio-economic pressures, the PEV stands out as a practical mechanism that can foster mutual prosperity and deepen ties between Australia and its Pacific neighbours.