The Australian government will set up a new visa, and the family members of island workers can go to Australia to accompany them

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that family accompaniment "is expected to begin with up to 200 families associated with the Pacific Australian Labor Mobility Program in the 2023-24 financial year. Where families are placed will depend on the Australian Labor Mobility Program worker and Interest from employers participating in the initial phase of the initiative. This may include several regions of Australia. The Australian government is currently hearing from the Pacific and Timor-Leste governments, as well as other key stakeholders, to determine the implementation of this policy.

Tukini Tavui, president of the Pacific Islands Council of South Australia (PICSA), said that in South Australia alone there are about 800 workers who have long participated in the Australian labor mobility program. The stay of the laborer's family in Australia is likely to be as long as the laborer's working period. Since the family of the laborer in the island country will not be able to enjoy the National Health Insurance (Medicare), this means that the employer needs to arrange medical insurance for them.

Mr Tavi said Naracoorte, near Victoria's southern border, could be a good place to host the first families, with many workers employed long-term under the Australian Labor Mobility Scheme.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs said consultations on the detailed policy design would take place in the first quarter of this year.