Australia will establish a Pacific visa lottery scheme to boost the number of permanent migrant workers and strengthen relations with the region.
From July, 3000 places a year will become available for eligible participants from Pacific nations and East Timor to be randomly selected and given the opportunity to apply for a permanent Australian visa.
The proposal mirrors the United States “green card” system in which random applicants are given work rights and a citizenship pathway.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles unveiled the proposal on Thursday, saying it would boost permanent migration from the Pacific to Australia and “build a stronger Pacific family”.
Successful applicants will be able to bring their dependent family on the visa and live anywhere in Australia if they have secured a job offer and passed health, character and basic English tests.
Applicants also need to be aged between 18 and 45 years old.
The extra places are in addition to Australia’s overall annual migration program, which will not be impacted by the scheme.
Giles said the ballot could be adapted in future for other temporary and permanent migration programs to promote equitable and fair access to visa schemes.
“These reforms demonstrate to the Australian community and to our Pacific family that stronger Pacific partnerships focused on shared needs and priorities ... support stability, prosperity and security in our region,” he said.
Pacific Minister Pat Conroy said the scheme was “revolutionary” and would boost ties with the region.
“This is about permanent migration, allocating 3000 spots to Pacific families each year to make a new life in Australia,” he told ABC News.
“(It will) deepen the Pacific diaspora in Australia and deepen our people-to-people links.”
Opposition home affairs spokeswoman Karen Andrews said there was a critical shortage of skilled and unskilled workers.
“I am open to looking at whatever solutions the government actually has,” she said.
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