In an unprecedented sports-mobility initiative, the Australian Government will charge just A$25—down from the usual A$430—for 12-month multiple-entry visitor visas issued to players, officials and fans of Papua New Guinea’s new NRL team, the PNG Chiefs. The concession will run from 2026 through the club’s inaugural season in 2028.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the measure ‘celebrates our shared rugby-league heritage’ and is designed to ensure Pacific supporters can attend matches without prohibitive costs. Dedicated Home Affairs officers and an online portal will handle applications, while standard health and character checks remain.
The visa also dovetails with the Pacific Engagement Visa pathway, giving PNG nationals a channel from temporary sporting visits to permanent residence if they later secure skilled work.
![Canberra Slashes Visa Fee to A$25 for PNG Chiefs’ NRL Debut]()
To navigate the discounted visitor visa smoothly, applicants can use VisaHQ’s Australia platform (https://www.visahq.com/australia/), which offers real-time guidance, document checks and optional courier services, reducing the administrative burden for supporters eager to lock in travel plans.
For event organisers the simplified visa should boost ticket sales and bolster corporate hospitality packages targeting PNG’s growing middle class. Logistics companies are already planning charter flights between Port Moresby and Cairns to coincide with fixtures. Analysts note, however, that reciprocity expectations may emerge from other Pacific nations seeking similar treatment for cultural or sporting exchanges.
Businesses employing PNG workers on PALM or skilled visas should prepare for an uptick in annual leave requests during Chief’s away games.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the measure ‘celebrates our shared rugby-league heritage’ and is designed to ensure Pacific supporters can attend matches without prohibitive costs. Dedicated Home Affairs officers and an online portal will handle applications, while standard health and character checks remain.
The visa also dovetails with the Pacific Engagement Visa pathway, giving PNG nationals a channel from temporary sporting visits to permanent residence if they later secure skilled work.
To navigate the discounted visitor visa smoothly, applicants can use VisaHQ’s Australia platform (https://www.visahq.com/australia/), which offers real-time guidance, document checks and optional courier services, reducing the administrative burden for supporters eager to lock in travel plans.
For event organisers the simplified visa should boost ticket sales and bolster corporate hospitality packages targeting PNG’s growing middle class. Logistics companies are already planning charter flights between Port Moresby and Cairns to coincide with fixtures. Analysts note, however, that reciprocity expectations may emerge from other Pacific nations seeking similar treatment for cultural or sporting exchanges.
Businesses employing PNG workers on PALM or skilled visas should prepare for an uptick in annual leave requests during Chief’s away games.
