Rugby league diplomacy: Australia slashes visa fees for PNG fans to K75
The Australian Government has announced it will slash visa fees for Papua New Guineans by more than 90 percent.
This was announced by Australian Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke at the Santos National Football Stadium, as a direct result of the PNG Chiefs’ historic entry into the National Rugby League [NRL].
Starting in July 2027, the cost of a visitor visa for PNG citizens traveling to Australia for Chiefs-related activities, including players, officials, media, and fans, will drop from the current AUD $430 [approx. K1,300] to a flat rate of just AUD $25 [approx. K75].
For decades, the high cost and rigorous compliance procedures of Australian visas have been a point of friction for Papua New Guineans. Minister Burke said the new policy aims to remove the financial barrier while maintaining security standards.
"We're making it easier for NRL fans of the PNG Chiefs to support their team in Australia," Burke said. "Our new visa arrangements mean it'll be easier and cheaper for players, coaches, sporting officials, media and fans to apply for a visa.
"With the PNG Chiefs running onto the NRL field in 2028, we're ensuring a level playing field, tackling the same issues, and striving for success - side by side and step by step."
The new visa will be a 12-month, multiple-entry permit, allowing fans to travel back and forth for away games during the NRL season. To facilitate the surge in applications, the Australian Department of Home Affairs will launch a dedicated online portal and establish a specialist processing team to ensure fast-tracked decisions.
PNG Minister for Foreign Affairs Justin Tkatchenko said the new rugby league diplomacy arrangement was significant as it would bridge a gap that has existed since 1975.
"This is a win-win situation," Tkatchenko said. "It brings a wonderful relationship even closer together than ever before."
Minister for Sports Kinoka Feo echoed these sentiments, predicting that the K75 visa will ignite passion at the grassroots level. "Papua New Guineans love Rugby League. I am sure you will see crowds traveling in numbers to support our team come game day," Feo said.
The announcement was witnessed by PNG Chiefs CEO Lorna McPherson and board member Ian Tarutia. McPherson, who officially takes the helm this month, is confident the visa arrangement is a cornerstone of the club’s identity, ensuring that the team remains accessible to its unmatched fan base.
The PNG Chiefs are scheduled to make their official NRL debut in 2028, with the visa portal opening a year earlier to allow for smooth travel planning