Establishment of Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) Treaty Stream (Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union)

Policy effect

Amends the Migration Regulations 1994 to implement Article 3 of the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty by creating two streams in the Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) visa: the Pacific Engagement stream and a dedicated permanent Treaty stream for eligible citizens of Tuvalu (with an annual allocation allowing unrestricted work and study in Australia).

Conditions and exceptions

Validated condition or limit: Amends the Migration Regulations 1994 to implement Article 3 of the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty by creating two streams in the Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) visa: the Pacific Engagement stream and a dedicated permanent Treaty stream for eligible citizens of Tuvalu (with an annual allocation allowing unrestricted work and study in Australia).

Official source excerpt

Quoted verbatim from the official source below. Ellipses indicate omitted text.

… this instrument is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this instrument has effect according to its terms.Authorised Version F2025L00183 registered 21/02/2025 Schedule 1 Amendments 2 Migration Amendment (Australia Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty Visa) Regulations 2025 OPC67236 - B Schedule 1—Amendments Migration Regulations 1994 1 Paragraph 1140(2)(a) of Schedule 1 Repeal the paragraph, substitute: (a) first instalment (payable at the time the application is made): (i) for: (A) an applicant seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) visa in the Pacific Engagement stream; or (B) an applicant seeking to satisfy the secondary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) visa whose application is combined, or sought to be combined, with an application made by that person: First instalment Item Component Amount 1 Base application charge $325 2 Additional applicant charge for an applicant who is at least 18 $80 3 Additional applicant charge for an applicant who is less than 18 $80 (ii) for: (A) an applicant seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) visa in the Treaty stream; or (B) an applicant seeking to satisfy the secondary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) visa whose application is combined, or sought to be combined, with an application made by that person: First instalment Item Component Amount 1 Base application charge $200 2 Additional applicant charge for an applicant who is at least 18 $50 3 Additional applicant charge for an applicant who is less than 18 $50 Note: Regulation 2.12C explains the components of the first instalment of visa application charge … ) visa in the Treaty stream must meet the requirements in the following table. Requirements Item Requirements 1 The applicant is a selected participant for a visa pre-application process (the relevant process) conducted in relation to: (a) the Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) visa in the Treaty stream; and (b) a country that issued the applicant with a valid passport 2 At the beginning of the registration open period for the relevant process, the applicant must be aged at least 18 3 At the time of registration of the applicant as a registered participant in the relevant process, the applicant … held a valid passport issued by the country to which the relevant process relates 4 All of the following: (a) the applicant, a parent of the applicant or a grandparent of the applicant was born in the country to which the relevant process relates; (b) the applicant is a citizen of that country and that citizenship was not obtained due to an investment to that country; (c) the applicant is not a citizen of New ZealandAuthorised Version F2025L00183 registered 21/02/2025 Schedule 1 Amendments 4 Migration Amendment (Australia Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty Visa) Regulations 2025 OPC67236 - B Requirements … this paragraph; (c) a medical practitioner employed by an organisation approved by the Minister for the purposes of this paragraph. Note: For Medical Officer of the Commonwealth, see regulation 1.03. 11 Division 192.2 of Schedule 2 Repeal the Division, substitute: Division 192.2—Primary criteria Note: The primary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 192 visa include criteria set out in streams. If an applicant applies for a Subclass 192 visa in the Pacific Engagement stream, the criteria in Subdivisions 192.21 and 192.22 are the primary criteria for the grant of the visa. If an applicant applies … for a Subclass 192 visa in the Treaty stream, the criteria in Subdivisions 192.21 and 192.23 are the primary criteria for the grant of the visa. The primary criteria must be satisfied by at least one member of a family unit. The other members of the family unit who are applicants for a visa of this subclass need satisfy only the secondary criteria. All criteria must be satisfied at the time a decision is made on the application. 192.21—Common criteria Note: These criteria are for all applicants seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for a Subclass 192 visa. 192.211 The applicant has complied … person to undergo assessment in relation to the criterion. 192.23—Criteria for Treaty stream Note: These criteria are only for applicants seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for a Subclass 192 visa in the Treaty stream.Authorised Version F2025L00183 registered 21/02/2025 Schedule 1 Amendments 8 Migration Amendment (Australia Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty Visa) Regulations 2025 OPC67236 - B 192.231 The applicant has undergone a medical examination carried out by a relevant medical practitioner, unless a Medical Officer of the Commonwealth decides otherwise. 192.232 The applicant has undergone … satisfy the primary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 192 visa in the Treaty stream; each member of the family unit of the secondary applicant who is an applicant for a Subclass 192 visa satisfies the criteria in clauses 192.231 to 192.235. 16 Clause 192.511 of Schedule 2 Repeal the clause, substitute: 192.511 (1) In the case of a visa granted to a person on the basis of the person satisfying: (a) the criteria in Subdivisions 192.21 and 192.23; or (b) the criteria in Division 192.3, if the visa was granted because the person met the requirements of clause 192.311 in relation to: (i) a primary …

Review method

Two separate automated exact-claim source reviews

Other Australia changes operative in 2025

• 2025-03-22Nil Visa Application Charge (VAC) for Pacific Australia Card Holders (LIN 25/007)
• 2025-05-01Pre-Application Process and Selection Rules for Subclass 192 Visa (Treaty Stream)
• 2025-07-01Indexation of Skilled Visa Income Thresholds (TSMIT) via LIN 25/038
• 2025-07-01Migration (Arrangements for Protection, Refugee and Humanitarian Visas) Amendment (Internet Lodgement) Instrument 2025
• 2025-08-07Revised English Language Proficiency Benchmarks and Approved Tests (LIN 25/016)
• 2025-08-07Specification of English Language Proficiency Requirements for Subclass 500 (Student) Visas (LIN 25/090)
• 2025-11-29Specification of Medical Assessment Matrix for Public Interest Criteria (LIN 25/049)