Overseas Filipino workers in Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, French Polynesia and other South Pacific countries and territories may now renew their OWWA membership or join OWWA under the Voluntary Membership Program by mailing the requirements to the Philippine Embassy in Canberra using the address below.

The following may now register under the Voluntary Membership Program and enjoy the many and varied benefits offered by the Program:

1. Overseas Filipino workers who have not acquired regular residency status while working abroad
2. Former natural-born Filipino citizens permanently residing and gainfully employed abroad who obtained permanent dual citizenship under Republic Act No. 9225

Immediate family members of OFWs who are already working abroad on irregular status (came to Australia or other countries of the South Pacific not on a working visa, or did not go through the POEA for contract processing, and subsequently found employment in Australia or other countries in the south Pacific on a valid working visa) or re-acquired Filipino citizenship under R.A. 9225, may apply for voluntary membership, provided the following documentary requirements are submitted:

1. An accomplished OFW Information Sheet, download here.
2. Copy of the working visa, or work permit
3. Copy of bio-data page of passport, and the page showing the “departure” and “arrival” stamp of the respective immigration authorities in the Philippines and port of entry in the worksite country
4. Copy of employment contract, or certificate of employment or payslip
5. Verification fee of A$18 for those who cannot present proof of having been processed through POEA, such as employment contract duly stamped by POEA, a used OEC or an OWWA Certificate of Membership Coverage. If any of these proofs are available, please send copy to be exempted from payment of verification fee
6. OWWA membership fee of A$25.00
7. For those at the same time applying to obtain an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) to exempt them from payment of airport terminal fee and travel tax, an additional OEC fee of A$5 is to be paid
8. A pre‐paid, self‐addressed envelope.

Voluntary membership with OWWA covers a period of two (2) years, and for a A$25 membership contribution, an OWWA member and/or his family are entitled to the long list of benefits and services. For an idea of these benefits, please visit .

The OEC is valid for sixty (60) days while OWWA membership is valid for two years or the validity of the employment contract, whichever is shorter. Processing time is only one (1) day.