New visa package for PNG Chiefs entry to NRL

Rugby league fans in Papua New Guinea will only pay AUD$25 (about K75) for an Australian visa to watch the Chiefs play away matches in the NRL.

Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke, announced th Chiefs players, coaches, officials, fans and media representatives would have their visa application fees slashed from the current charge of AUD$430 to just AU$25.

The reduced vias costs are part of a pledge by the Australian Government to bolster people-to-people ties ahead of the team's entry to the NRL in 2028.

Under the scheme, fans will be able to apply for an Australian visitor visa, which will be valid for 12 months, allowing for short stays to attend games throughout the season.

“This is about keeping it simple and affordable,” Burke told a media conference at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, which was also attended by PNG Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko and Sports Minister Kinoka Feo.

“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.”

Burke also confirmed that, from July next year, Australia’s Home Affairs Department will launch a dedicated NRL PNG online visa page designed specifically for Chiefs players, officials and fans travelling to Australia for rugby league.

The move now aligns with programs already in place aimed at bolstering visa opportunities for Pacific region peoples, including the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV), which provides permanent residence opportunities for PNG nationals.

The biggest highlights include:

• Everyone pays the same AU$25 fee
• The visa allows multiple entries for the whole season
• Fans can travel back and forth all year to watch every Chiefs game in Australia, even the finals.

The move is described as a gamechanger for rugby league and people-to-people ties between PNG and Australia.