Archive · 11 Dec 2025
First Climate Migrants Arrive in Australia from Tuvalu
Some people from a small island called Tuvalu are moving to Australia because their home is in danger from rising sea levels.
Australia is giving them special visas to live, work, and study there.
The first group of migrants includes a pastor, a dentist, and the first female forklift driver from Tuvalu.
They hope to keep their culture alive while living in Australia and send money back to their families.
Tuvalu's main island, Funafuti, is very small and might be underwater in the future if sea levels keep rising.
Australia is helping these families settle in different cities and find jobs.
First climate migrants from Tuvalu arrive in Australia under a visa deal.
Tuvalu is at high risk from climate change due to rising sea levels.
Initial intake includes a pastor, a dentist, and the first female forklift driver from Tuvalu.
Australia is providing support services to help Tuvaluan families settle in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Queensland.
By 2050, NASA projects that half of Tuvalu's main atoll, Funafuti, could be submerged.
- Who
- Climate migrants from Tuvalu, including a pastor, a dentist, and a forklift driver
- What
- First group of climate migrants arriving in Australia under a visa deal
- When
- Initial arrivals began two weeks ago
- Where
- From Tuvalu to Australia (Melbourne, Adelaide, Queensland)
- Why
- To preserve links to their sinking island home due to rising sea levels
- Number of Visas
- 280 annually
- Tuvalu Population
- 11,000
- Applicants for Climate Visa
- More than one-third
- Tuvalu's Main Atoll
- Funafuti
- Projected Submersion by 2050
- Half of Funafuti atoll
- Australia's Support Services
- Melbourne, Adelaide, Queensland
- Tuvalu's First Female Forklift Driver
- Kitai Haulapi
- Tuvalu's Dentist Migrant
- Masina Matolu