The Office of the Gone Turaga Bale na Tui Nayau, Sau ni Vanua o Lau, Tui Lau, Ratu Tevita Lutunauga Kapaiwai Uluilakeba Mara is calling for visa-free travel to Australia and for Fijian students to access domestic university fees before 2029 as the two countries deepen their relationship under the expanded Vuvale Union.
While welcoming the expanded Vuvale Union announced in Suva in July, Ratu Tevita says one matter that remains unresolved is the requirement for Fijians to obtain a visa before travelling to Australia.
He says Australians can arrive in Fiji without having to apply for a visa, while Fijians must still apply before entering Australia.
The Tui Lau says Vuvale means family, and in our custom, family does not apply at the door.
He says allowing Fijians to travel to Australia in the same way Australians travel to Fiji would give greater meaning to the Vuvale relationship.
Ratu Tevita also welcomed the commitment allowing Fijian students to study at Australian universities under domestic fee arrangements from 2029, but questioned why Fijian families should have to wait another three years.
He says every year between now and then is another year of our families paying international fees they cannot afford.
The Tui Lau highlighted Fiji’s contribution to the Australian economy, saying Fijian workers are already supporting industries including horticulture, meat processing and aged care.
He says more than 5,000 Fijians were working in Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility or PALM scheme in late 2025, sending home an estimated FJ$145.5 million in the year to June 2025.
Ratu Tevita says Fiji also invests in training nurses, teachers and tradespeople who later take their skills to Australia.
He adds if our people are good enough to hold up Australian farms and Australian hospitals today, then our children are good enough to sit in Australian lecture theatres at an Australian’s fee today, not in three years’ time.
