At the start of December last year, I released the results of my first survey of Papua New Guinean experiences with the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV). 33 of those who were successful in last year’s PEV lottery participated in the survey. At the time, only three people had secured a job offer, and only one had an actual PEV visa.
In January, I ran a second survey. The sample size has grown to 84 participants as I connected with more lottery winners. Here are the results.
One piece of good news is that no one’s application has been rejected by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Everyone submitted the primary requirement which was just the passport details for the primary applicant. Despite some confusion around whether supporting documents would be required before the closing dates, initially advertised as 12 December, applications have remained active after that date, giving lottery winners the chance to upload additional documents like passports for dependants, police clearances, health assessments and, most importantly and elusively of all, a 12-month job offer.
Another positive development is that more people have secured job offers: up from three people in November to 30 people now. Most of them have found jobs based on their own efforts, and not through the PEV Support Service’s employer networks. PEV applicants have found jobs through external employment support agencies and through family and friends living and working in Australia. A handful of applicants who could afford to travel to Australia on their current tourist visas did so. However, only one person so far has been successful in gaining employment using this approach.
The jobs gained have been in a range of occupations: there are accountants, health workers, retail assistants, poultry farmhands, meat workers, tractor drivers, project management administrators and engineers.
On the negative side, only two primary applicants out of the 30 who have job offers and submitted their complete application between September and December 2024 have received a visa.
Without any official advice on expected visa turn-around times, some applicants have had to request their prospective employers for postponed start dates. Some had their job offer retracted because they were unable to meet the start date. One person has lost three job offers because of visa delays.
No expected processing timeline for the PEV has been listed by DHA, but it takes ten months to process a Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (subclass 191) visa. It is unclear if this will be the timeline for the PEV. Clear and consistent communication to PEV winners and employers is needed to manage expectations. Ideally, PEV applications who have met all visa requirements should be processed quickly, in a matter of weeks rather than months.
DHA may not require a still-valid employment offer at the time of making a visa decision, but if it is not required, this also needs to be communicated to applicants who otherwise will continue to look for new offers or, at a minimum, ask employers for extensions to existing offers.
One thing that has not changed since the first survey is the negative commentary around the PEV Support Service, with consistent and widespread verdicts of “unsatisfactory”. The Support Service should set up physical offices in key participating countries. Its over-reliance on virtual sessions is unhelpful in a region with variable internet connectivity. PNG, with the lion’s share of the PEV quotas, should certainly have an in-country office.
Comments have also persisted about employers not being familiar with the PEV. As I suggested in my earlier blog, a jobs portal should be developed to directly connect employers and PEV winners.
A more radical reform would be to grant a 6-month conditional visa to those who have met all other visa requirements, less the job offer, so they can move to Australia and start looking for a job, at their own expense. This would significantly increase their chances of securing a job over applying offshore.
While the reward of permanent residency is a huge one, the price applicants are paying is high. Many respondents are experiencing mental exhaustion and emotional fatigue caused by visa delays and countless unsuccessful job applications. Applicants who are still job hunting said they can spend seven to 10 hours a week looking for a job.
While it is encouraging that more PEV applicants are securing job offers, there are still some major problems that need to be ironed out if this new visa is to fulfil its potential to supercharge people-to-people connections between Australia and the Pacific.
Hi Natasha,
Thank you for this piece. I’m the primary applicant, and the process of securing a job has been incredibly stressful — not just for me, but for my entire family. After reaching out to employers and recruiters and submitting over 200 job applications, I have received nothing but unsuccessful responses.
The entire process has been difficult, but knowing that others have successfully received their visas gives me hope to keep going. I remain hopeful that I will receive a positive response from an employer soon. Thank you!
Thank you Natasha for the insightful research update. As per the Department of Home Affairs advice, are we expecting another draw before February ends?
Thank you Natasha for your valuable research and findings. You have highlighted the impact of securing a job is having on those applicants. My daughter is one of those who was just recently issued a PEV and she is actively looking for a job to meet that criteria. I believe more awareness by DHA and PEV Support Team would be great. It’s a great opportunity and thanks to the Australian Government.
Natasha thank you once for your valuable insight. 🙏
To work and live in Australia is very stressful. Besides the bills and so on. In terms of employment it’s a good idea however, still the Australian Government makes it complicated for PNG citizens’ entry compared to other countries but the Pacific and other continents. The idea supposed to be taken up by the PNG Government dealing with Home Affairs. Poor PNGeans are struggling with getting a visa and finding a job.
Thank you Natasha for the much needed update.
Hi Natasha,
Thank you so much for your message and interesting research. I just wanted to share my thoughts on how we can improve the process and maximize the number of PNG intakes, compared to other Pacific Island countries.
To process visa and organize Papua New Guineans is a complex responsibility so extend deadlines.
When will be the next ballot of PEV open for this year 2025?
Hi, thank you Miss Turia for the research. Indeed my small brother was exhausted and nearly he gave up until last week he was granted his PEV. I really want to thank the Australian Government for the opportunity given to us Papua New Guineans and especially to my small brother. I can’t thank PEV enough. God bless.
Thank you Larisa for sharing your brother’s experience. So your brother has already traveled to Australia working?
Hi Natasha,
Thank you for sharing. I find this insightful. Given the fact that I am of the current applicant who got selected for PEV and currently trying to understand the PEV process with little help or guidance to go about it.
I would love to connect with anyone who have gone through this process successfully or have background knowledge to share pointers
or guide me through the process.
Thank You
Thanks for the update. I had an uncle who got selected with the PEV program. He got 3 kids and his wife. He left his job and his Land Cruiser to help financially persuade to get all the requirements done for himself and his family. Whoever with high hopes the visa took forever to approve and he lost Is job offer that he got in Australia plus his car and a ton of his savings. Anyways the question is, if this doesn’t turn out for him and his family, is there at least anything the DHA would do?
Hi Natasha thank you for updating. I’am really interested but how can I apply.
thanks
This by far is the best piece of information I found online for my PEV ballot selection. I am searching high and low on how to go about securing a job offer and the info provided here is enlightening. Thanks
How do I apply?
I’m still amazed this was launched without a pilot process that would have uncovered these challenges. It is incredibly difficult to create connections from nowhere, and it will take a decade before employers become familiar and comfortable with this visa. A six-to-twelve month provisional visa for the primary holder would improve the process immensely and reduce the risk for both Australia and the visa holder.
Thankyou Natasha for your voice. I believe this statement of yours makes so much sense to the majority who are already being exhausted in their job hunt. Hope the below statement is considered more meaningfully by the DHA.
A more radical reform would be to grant a 6-month conditional visa to those who have met all other visa requirements, less the job offer, so they can move to Australia and start looking for a job, at their own expense. This would significantly increase their chances of securing a job over applying offshore.
Thanks for the update Natasha. As someone supporting a PNG friend through the process, I agree with both your overall assessment. I am now worried about ‘what happens next’ should my friend finally secure a job offer, only to have it withdrawn if Home Affairs takes forever to approve the visa. Ideally provisional approval and a six to 12 month multiple entry visa would be the most effective way to enable the final step in the process. Finally the PEV Support Unit needs to immediately change its name to the PEV Non-Support Unit, befitting its level of service. Can’t wait for the Senate Estimates questions on how taxpayer funds are being effectively spent on this contract.
Natasha, thankyou for sharing your research findings on PEV. It is a complex process that require ongoing conversations and understanding of the expectations of applicants and DHA. It is encouraging to note the number of applicants increased and a few have been successful in securing a visa. A young girl from my village secured a PEV and is working in Australia now. Thankyou, Australia Government.