Government Implements Initiatives to Strengthen Relationship with Pacific Island Countries (PIC)

Australian Government is taking the initiative to strengthen the relationship with our Pacific Island neighbours. An arrangement to commence on 1 July will extend eligibility criteria for subclass 403 visa (Temporary Work International Relations).
The Migration Amendment (Pacific Labour Scheme) Regulations 2018 (the Regulations) aims to implement initiatives promoting Australia’s international policy in relation to employment opportunities and pathways for Pacific Island Countries (PICs) by making changes to Subclass 403 Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (‘Subclass 403’) in order to:
- introduce a new Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) stream;
- provide for applicants, subject to conditions, to be granted a multi-year, multi-entry visa in the Seasonal Workers Program (SWP) stream; and
- strengthen integrity measures in the PLS and SWP streams by introducing a new condition that allows the visa holder, under limited circumstances, to change their sponsor.
At present, Subclass 403 visa allows applicants to come to Australia on a temporary basis:
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