The subclass 192 – Pacific Engagement visa (PEV) is a first of its kind for Australian immigration. It is unlike the SkillSelect model for General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas as the invitations to apply for a PEV visa are selected randomly.

The SkillSelect model, particularly for the subclass 189 – Skilled – Independent visa, issues invitations to apply for this visa based on how many points are claimed in the applicant’s Expression of Interest (EOI). The higher the points; the more likely the invitation. However, since the pandemic, the government has restricted which occupations will be eligible in many rounds, with teaching, and healthcare taking priority.

The PEV is a different beast. Provided the applicant’s pre-application for the ballot meets the minimum criteria, they have the chance to be selected at random to apply for one of the 3,000 visas allocated annually.

Some of the requirements were known when the regulations for the visa subclass were registered and were in effect from 29 March 2024. This includes:

• Being at least 18 years old and no more than 45 years old when the visa pre‑application process is opened,

• Holding a valid passport from a specific country for the visa pre‑application process,

• They, or one of their parents, was born in a country specified for the visa pre‑application process, and they are a citizen of that country, and are not a New Zealand citizen,

• They or their partner if they are included in the visa application, have an offer of genuine, ongoing employment in Australia.

However, while the regulations for the visa have commenced, the pre-application process will not open until 3 June 2024 according to a recent announcement by the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs.

Recent instruments have filled in more gaps. This includes the rules of the pre-application process and eligible countries. The rules are relatively straightforward. The Minister can publish the list of countries that the person or parent of the person must be born in to be eligible. Those countries are:

• Australia,

• Fiji,

• Kiribati,

• The Marshall Islands,

• Micronesia,

• Nauru,

• New Zealand,

• Palau,

• Papua New Guinea,

• Samoa,

• Solomon Islands,

• Timor‑Leste,

• Tonga,

• Tuvalu,

• Vanuatu.

Obviously, applicants cannot be eligible to be granted this visa if they are citizens of Australia or New Zealand.

The Minister can also publish when the registration open periods are, and extend these. Importantly, those who are invited will have at least 30 days to lodge their visa application after notice is given that they are invited.

A key requirement is the English language test. What is interesting about this requirement is that only listening and speaking results are required, that is, competent verbal communication skills. Writing and reading are not necessary nor is a minimum overall band score. Therefore, an applicant can get zero for these components and be granted this visa. The scores for listening and speaking are:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): at least 5.0,

• Cambridge English Advanced test (CAE): at least 154,

• Occupational English Test (OET): at least a score of B,

• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE): at least 36,

• Test of English as a Foreign Language internet‑based Test (TOEFL iBT), but only if the test was taken on or before 25 July 2023: at least 4 for listening, and at least 14 for speaking.

There is no news yet on the address of the portal for those wanting to register, but this should be provided in the next few weeks.