The Australian Pacific migration policy has experienced crucial changes, shifting towards encouraging Pacific migration to Australia. These changes have extensive implications for the region and are anticipated to keep evolving in 2024. Here are seven essential developments to watch out for:
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1. Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV)
Following a legislative battle, the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) is set to commence in 2024. Declaring country quotas and the number of allotted visas to each country will be a pivotal step, enabling the first PEV lottery to occur in the 2023-24 fiscal year.
2. Family Accompaniment Pilot for PALM Workers
The family accompaniment pilot for long-term temporary Pacific (PALM) workers in Australia has started. Families of 200 eligible workers from Kiribati and Timor-Leste are predicted to enter Australia in mid-May.
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3. PALM Worker Numbers
Given the considerable tightening of PALM regulations in the preceding year, it is anticipated that the number of PALM workers will be closely watched in 2024. It will be especially interesting to see how the record number of backpackers returning will affect the number of PALM workers.
4. Tuvalu’s Migration-Security Agreement
The newly elected Tuvalu Parliament will decide the future of Tuvalu’s migration-security agreement with Australia. This would be the first attempt to extract concessions in return for migration preferences.
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5. Labour Mobility Reviews
Vanuatu is predicted to release its labour mobility review results in 2024 after Tonga and Samoa have done so. These reviews will have a major effect on how many people participate in the temporary labour mobility programmes offered by Australia and New Zealand.
6. New Zealand’s Seasonal Worker Scheme
A notable development to observe would be New Zealand’s plan to double the number of workers to 38,000 under the seasonal worker scheme over the course of five years. It will be interesting to see what happens with the RSE policy review recommendations and the possible effects of making the scheme available to Asian workers.
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7. Visa-Free Pacific
A significant trend to keep an eye on in 2024 will be the increasing demand for a visa-free Pacific. Advocates of this idea will need to watch how this radical approach to Pacific integration develops and whether it is included in important Pacific meetings.
These developments in the Australian Pacific migration policy are anticipated to impact the region significantly and will continue to evolve in 2024.
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