Micronesian Applicants Face Ballot for 50 Australian Residency Spots in 2026–27

Australia has allocated permanent residence places to citizens of 12 participating countries under its Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) programme for the 2026–27 financial year. Papua New Guinea received the largest share, while the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands received the smallest.

The programme gives eligible people from participating countries an immigration pathway to live and work in Australia, but applicants must first be chosen through a ballot before they can apply.

Key facts

• Financial year covered: 2026–27
• Largest allocation: Papua New Guinea, with 1,350 places
• Smallest allocations: Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 50 places each
• Process: applicants register for a ballot first; those selected are then invited to apply
• Outcome: visa holders can live and work in Australia as permanent residents

How many places does each country get?

• Papua New Guinea: 1,350
• Fiji: 300
• Solomon Islands: 300
• Timor-Leste: 300
• Samoa: 150
• Tonga: 150
• Vanuatu: 150
• Kiribati: 100
• Tuvalu: 100
• Federated States of Micronesia: 50
• Palau: 50
• Republic of the Marshall Islands: 50

How were the allocations decided?

According to Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), country allocations take several factors into account, including each country's population, the size of its existing diaspora in Australia, available migration opportunities, anticipated demand and input from participating countries.

The differences between countries reflect those factors, including population, existing community links with Australia and expected demand.

How does the ballot work?

The Pacific Engagement Visa uses a ballot system to decide which eligible individuals can move on to a visa application. Applicants must first register for the ballot. Those who are selected are then invited to apply for the visa, subject to the programme's eligibility and application requirements.

Being a citizen of one of the participating countries does not guarantee selection or permanent residence.

What does the visa provide?

Successful applicants who are granted the visa can live and work in Australia as permanent residents. The programme is intended to strengthen people-to-people connections between Australia and its Pacific neighbours while supporting the wider regional relationship.

What this means for travellers

Citizens of the 12 participating countries who want to move to Australia under this route must enter the ballot before they can lodge a visa application. Applicants should check the country allocation for their nationality and the programme's eligibility and application requirements, which are set out by DFAT.

No ballot opening date or application deadline is given in the announcement. Details about the programme, country allocations and requirements are published on the official Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade page for the Pacific Engagement Visa.