RUGBY league fans in Papua New Guinea will only pay about K75 for an Australian visa beginning 2028 to watch the PNG Chiefs’ play away matches in their debut season in the National Rugby League.
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the multiple entry visa would be valid for 12 months and would cost AU$25 (about K75) for short stays.
Burke made the announcement at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Friday.
“This is about keeping it simple and affordable,” Burke said.
“Right now, visas can be complicated and expensive. We wanted to fix that.
“I want to thank Prime Minister James Marape for his vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment in making this historic initiative a reality.”
He said players, coaches, officials, media representatives and fans of the PNG Chiefs would be eligible to apply for the visa.
Burke said the visa application fee would be slashed from AU$430 (about K1,312) to just $25 as pledged by Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to bolster people-to-people ties ahead of the Chiefs entry.
This visa stream joins other programmes already in place aimed at bolstering visa opportunities for the Pacific, including the Pacific Engagement Visa, which provides permanent residency opportunities for Pacific Islanders, including PNG nationals.
