Pacific Engagement Visa (Subclass 192): 2026-27 Ballot Results and What Happens Next
If you registered for the Pacific Engagement Visa ballot, the 2026-27 random selections are now being drawn, and this guide explains exactly what to do next. The Subclass 192 visa is a permanent visa for nationals of participating Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste. Below you will find who can take part, the key ballot dates, what a selection actually means, the 120-day rule for applying, and the requirements you must meet before the visa can be granted. Last updated: August 2026 The most important thing to understand up front: being selected in the ballot is not the same as being granted a visa. Selection is an invitation to apply, and the real work starts after that email arrives. What Is the Pacific Engagement Visa (Subclass 192)? The Pacific Engagement Visa, or Subclass 192, lets nationals of eligible Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste live, work, and study in Australia permanently. It was created by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to strengthen ties between Australia and the Pacific, and it grants full permanent residency from the start, unlike temporary work visas that require you to transition later. If you want to understand that distinction, our guide on Australia’s temporary vs permanent residency differences explains it in detail. The program provides up to 3,000 places each program year, allocated by DFAT across the participating countries. Because demand is far higher than the number of places, access is controlled through a random ballot rather than a first-come queue. You register first, and only if you are randomly selected can you apply for the visa itself. The 2026-27 Ballot: Key Dates and Country Status The 2026-27 Pacific Engagement Visa ballot for Pacific island and Timor-Leste nationals opened on 1 July 2026 and closed on 29 July 2026. Registrations are now closed, and no further registrations can be submitted for this program year. Participating countries Twelve countries take part in the Subclass 192 ballot: Indonesia is not a participating country in the Pacific Engagement Visa. If you hold an Indonesian passport, this visa is not open to you, and you would look instead at Australia’s skilled, student, or employer-sponsored routes. When selections happen For every participating country, the random selection period runs from 5 August 2026 to 26 February 2027, according to the ballot country status page on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Selections are drawn at random across that window, so not being contacted in the first weeks does not mean you have missed out. Selected in the Ballot? What It Does and Doesn’t Mean Important: a ballot selection is permission to apply, not a visa grant. This is where many registrants get caught out, so read this section carefully. If the Department of Home Affairs selects you, you will receive an official Notification of Selection letter by email, sent to the address you gave during ballot registration. The letter confirms your selection and shows the date your application window starts. Book a paid consultation with RACC Indonesia if you have been selected and want a registered migration agent to check your job offer and documents before you lodge. Check your status in ImmiAccount Your status in ImmiAccount tells you where you stand: To confirm your own status, log in to your ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au. You have 120 days to apply Selected applicants have 120 days from the date on the Notification of Selection letter to complete and submit the visa application online. Miss that deadline and the selection lapses, forcing you to re-register in a future ballot. Treat the 120 days as time to gather documents and secure a job offer, not time to relax. Reviewing common mistakes in Australia migration applications before you start can save you from avoidable rejections. Requirements to Be Granted the Visa Selection opens the door, but the Subclass 192 visa is only granted once you satisfy every substantive requirement. These apply to the main applicant, and some extend to included family members. A formal, ongoing job offer The main applicant or their partner must hold a formal, ongoing offer of employment from an Australian employer. A casual role or a short fixed-term contract does not satisfy this criterion; the employer must show a commitment to employing you on an ongoing basis. If you are still searching, our guide on how to find an employer who can sponsor you in Australia covers practical strategies that also help here. Health, character, and English Before granting the visa, the Department of Home Affairs requires you to meet health, character, and English standards. You will complete health examinations and provide police clearances, and you must demonstrate functional English, a basic level you can meet with an approved test such as IELTS. Our overview of English requirements for Australian visas explains the accepted evidence. Fees and costs Ballot registration cost AUD 25. If you are selected, the visa application charge is AUD 345 for the main applicant plus AUD 85 for each eligible dependant, per immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Budget separately for health examinations, police clearances, and any English test. How RACC Indonesia Can Help You Being selected is exciting, but the 120-day window moves quickly, and a weak job offer or an incomplete health or character file is where applications fall apart. Our consultants are registered migration agents (MARA-registered) who review your Notification of Selection, check that your job offer genuinely meets the ongoing-employment test, and prepare your Subclass 192 application so it is lodged correctly the first time. If you want a clear read on your situation, book a consultation with RACC Indonesia. This information is general in nature; for advice on your specific circumstances, speak with a MARA-registered agent. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Does being selected in the Pacific Engagement Visa ballot mean I have a visa? No. Selection only gives you the right to apply. You still need to lodge a full Subclass 192 application and meet every requirement, including a formal ongoing job offer, health, character, and English checks, before the Department of Home Affairs can grant the visa. How long
