What is the Australian Values Statement?
The Australian Values Statement is an undertaking to follow the listed Australian values and obey Australian law, approved for PIC 4019 under the Migration (Australian Values Statement for Public Interest Criterion 4019) Instrument 2025 (LIN 25/086).
PIC 4019 of the Migration Regulations 1994 requires a signed values statement in accordance with Schedule 4 Part 3, subject to the Minister’s exception power. Signing acknowledges understanding and commits the applicant to conduct; it is not merely confirmation that a booklet was received.
LIN 25/086 approves Part 1 combined with Part 2 for the permanent subclasses listed in Table 2. Temporary subclasses listed in Table 1 use Part 1 only—not every temporary visa is covered by that table.
For applications made on or after 18 September 2025, LIN 25/086 approves the current statement; its explanatory statement says the wording did not change from the previous instrument.
What are Australian values in the statement?
Australian values in the statement include individual freedom and dignity, fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, parliamentary democracy, equality of opportunity, a fair go and English as the national language, as listed in LIN 25/086.
Home Affairs’ Australian values page, under “Permanent visa applicants”, sets out the following statement. The same text is approved by LIN 25/086.
I confirm that I have read, or had explained to me, information provided by the Australian Government on Australian society and values.
I understand that Australian society values:
- respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual;
- freedom of religion (including the freedom not to follow a particular religion), freedom of speech, and freedom of association;
- commitment to the rule of law, which means that all people are subject to the law and should obey it;
- parliamentary democracy whereby our laws are determined by parliaments elected by the people, those laws being paramount and overriding any other inconsistent religious or secular “laws”;
- equality of opportunity for all people, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, race, or national or ethnic origin;
- a ‘fair go’ for all that embraces:
- mutual respect;
- tolerance;
- compassion for those in need;
- equality of opportunity for all;
- the English language as the national language, and as an important unifying element of Australian society.
I undertake to conduct myself in accordance with these values of Australian society during my stay in Australia and to obey the laws of Australia.
I undertake to make reasonable efforts to learn the English language, if it is not my native language.
I understand that, if in the future I meet the legal qualifications for becoming an Australian citizen and my application is approved, I will need to pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people.
Under LIN 25/086, the final two paragraphs are Part 2 for the listed permanent visas. The citizenship paragraph is conditional on future legal qualifications and approval: the statement does not itself grant citizenship or establish citizenship eligibility.
The Life in Australia booklet
The Life in Australia booklet is the Australian Government information applicants read, or have explained, before accepting the statement, according to Home Affairs’ Australian values page.
Firstly, read or understand the booklet. Home Affairs’ Australian values page identifies a friend, family member or representative among the people who can explain it if reading or understanding it is difficult.
Secondly, sign or accept the statement in the visa application. Home Affairs’ Australian values page places acceptance after reading or explanation. An enquiry or download on this information page is not acceptance in the visa application.
Where is the Life in Australia booklet PDF?
The Life in Australia booklet PDF is available from Home Affairs, and its Australian values page also lists community-language versions.
The English PDF is the Commonwealth of Australia’s 2020 edition and contains 10 pages; it was checked as at 3 October 2026.
Who signs the values statement in an 858 application?
Primary and secondary applicants aged 18 or over at the time of application must satisfy the values statement requirement in an 858 application under clauses 858.221(b) and 858.322(b) of the Migration Regulations 1994, subject to the PIC 4019(2) exception.
This covers each relevant applicant, not only the main talent applicant. In the specialised family-violence context, clause 858.328(4) of the Migration Regulations 1994 also applies PIC 4019 to relevant adult family-unit members.
Does each adult need a separate paper signature online?
Separate paper signatures are not the signing mechanism described in Home Affairs’ online guidance: Schedule 4 clause 3.1(4) of the Migration Regulations 1994 treats an Internet statement as signed when its signing instructions are followed.
Home Affairs’ Australian values page says online acceptance confirms that the applicant and dependants understand and agree. That acceptance mechanism is distinct from the legal obligation for each relevant adult to satisfy PIC 4019; follow the actual application’s signing instructions.
What if a child turns 18 after applying?
The values statement age threshold in clauses 858.221(b) and 858.322(b) of the Migration Regulations 1994 is assessed at application, so those provisions do not substitute age at decision for age at application.
This is a reading of those specified 858 provisions, not an age rule for every visa subclass.
Can I reuse acceptance from an earlier visa application?
No—Home Affairs’ Australian values page says the statement must be signed or accepted each time you apply for a visa.
Can the values statement requirement be excused?
Yes—the values statement requirement can be excused if the Minister decides compelling circumstances exist under PIC 4019(2) of the Migration Regulations 1994.
The decision belongs to the Minister; it is not an applicant-selected or automatic exemption. The government sources cited here do not establish a list of qualifying examples, a dedicated exemption form or a standard processing period.
Home Affairs’ Australian values page warns that an application may be delayed or refused if the statement is not signed or accepted. That is a conditional warning, not a prediction about an individual application.
Does help to understand the booklet count as an exemption?
Having the booklet explained is a way to understand it before acceptance, according to Home Affairs’ Australian values page; it is not itself the Minister’s decision to excuse signing under PIC 4019(2).
The values statement among the other 858 requirements
The values statement is one part of the National Innovation visa (subclass 858) requirements, with PIC 4019 separate from the health, character and English-related provisions in the Migration Regulations 1994.
The 858 visa health, character and values requirements provide the wider context. Under the Migration Regulations 1994, satisfying PIC 4019 does not replace the other applicable criteria.
The reasonable-efforts undertaking in LIN 25/086 is not evidence of functional English on an 858. The English-related second instalment under the Migration Regulations 1994 is a separate matter.
Likewise, statement acceptance does not replace character evidence. The Migration Regulations 1994 treat character separately from PIC 4019; see police certificates for an 858 for that evidence topic.
Is the values statement the citizenship test?
No—the visa values statement is an undertaking under PIC 4019, while Home Affairs’ citizenship test guidance describes a separate test requiring all five Australian values questions to be answered correctly.
Home Affairs’ citizenship test guidance was updated on 19 September 2025 and checked as at 3 October 2026.
For the wider application overview, see the 858 visa.
Ask an Australian migration lawyer to check which applicants must satisfy PIC 4019 and what needs to be addressed if compelling circumstances are relevant before lodging the application.
The site enquiry form accepts questions addressed to Australian Migration Lawyers. A reference appears only after the email send is accepted and its status recorded.