Public opinion on easing visa rules for Pacific Islands Australia 2024

According to a survey conducted in Australia in March 2024, 67 percent of the surveyed adults in the country said that they support relaxations on visa requirements for citizens of Pacific Island countries. In contrast, 31 percent of the respondents stated that they oppose relaxations on visa requirements for citizens of Pacific Island nations.

Australia’s Pacific Island population

Australia is home to a diverse group of people, from many different backgrounds and nationalities. There has been a large increase in the number of people with Pacific Island heritage in Australia in recent years, amounting to nearly 340 thousand people in 2021. Fijians and Samoans constitute the largest proportion of people with Pacific Island heritage living in Australia. 

The effect of climate on immigration

The Pacific Island nations are some of the most vulnerable places on Earth when it comes to the effects of climate change. Many businesses were affected by extreme weather events in the Pacific Islands in 2024, not to mention the many citizens who call the islands their home. Many people in Australia recognize the issues that these Pacific Islanders face, and this is reflected in the public opinion on potential Australian federal climate change policies, such as facilitating migration for citizens of vulnerable Pacific Island countries.