Migration Update on visa pathways for Pacific Island Nations
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On 1st May 2025, the Australian Government updated the Pacific Engagement (Subclass 192) Visa to include two streams, the Pacific Engagement Stream and Treaty Stream. This provides an additional migration pathway to the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.
The Pacific Engagement Stream
The Subclass 192 visa was introduced in 2024 and is designed to enhance regional partnerships by offering nationals from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. Each year, up to 3,000 places are made available (inclusive of partners and dependent children) under a ballot-based selection system.
Treaty Stream
Under the newly created Treaty stream, eligible Tuvaluan citizens are granted the opportunity to live and work in Australia permanently. This initiative arises directly from the Falepili Union Treaty, a bilateral agreement that strengthens cultural, economic, and educational ties between Australia and Tuvalu. Unlike the general stream, the Treaty Stream imposes no upper age limit and offers more flexible health assessment criteria. It is capped at 280 places annually and is available to Tuvaluan nationals or those with proven Tuvaluan ancestry.
English Requirement
This update also introduces a basic English requirement. Unlike other visa subclasses, this visa focuses only on speaking and listening skills, with no minimum score needed for reading or writing.
The creation of the Treaty Stream under Subclass 192 is a significant step in Australia’s regional migration policy. It is a further step in the government’s recognition of its role in supporting our Pacific neighbours.
If you have any questions on the Pacific visas or how these programs can help you, please contact our migration team at Macpherson Kelley.
The information contained in this article is general in nature and cannot be relied on as legal advice nor does it create an engagement. Please contact one of our lawyers listed above for advice about your specific situation.
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Migration Update on visa pathways for Pacific Island Nations
On 1st May 2025, the Australian Government updated the Pacific Engagement (Subclass 192) Visa to include two streams, the Pacific Engagement Stream and Treaty Stream. This provides an additional migration pathway to the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.
The Pacific Engagement Stream
The Subclass 192 visa was introduced in 2024 and is designed to enhance regional partnerships by offering nationals from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. Each year, up to 3,000 places are made available (inclusive of partners and dependent children) under a ballot-based selection system.
Treaty Stream
Under the newly created Treaty stream, eligible Tuvaluan citizens are granted the opportunity to live and work in Australia permanently. This initiative arises directly from the Falepili Union Treaty, a bilateral agreement that strengthens cultural, economic, and educational ties between Australia and Tuvalu. Unlike the general stream, the Treaty Stream imposes no upper age limit and offers more flexible health assessment criteria. It is capped at 280 places annually and is available to Tuvaluan nationals or those with proven Tuvaluan ancestry.
English Requirement
This update also introduces a basic English requirement. Unlike other visa subclasses, this visa focuses only on speaking and listening skills, with no minimum score needed for reading or writing.
The creation of the Treaty Stream under Subclass 192 is a significant step in Australia’s regional migration policy. It is a further step in the government’s recognition of its role in supporting our Pacific neighbours.
If you have any questions on the Pacific visas or how these programs can help you, please contact our migration team at Macpherson Kelley.