The Department of Home Affairs has published updated processing times for May 2026. Here is a summary of the changes.
Current processing times
| Visa | Previous estimate | Current estimate | Change | |------|------------------|-----------------|--------| | 189 Skilled Independent | 12-24 months | 10-20 months | Faster | | 190 Skilled Nominated | 9-15 months | 8-14 months | Faster | | 491 Skilled Work Regional | 9-16 months | 9-15 months | Slightly faster | | 482 Skills in Demand | 6-9 months | 5-8 months | Faster | | 186 Employer Nomination | 6-12 months | 6-11 months | Slightly faster | | 500 Student | 1-3 months | 1-3 months | No change | | 485 Temporary Graduate | 3-6 months | 3-5 months | Slightly faster | | 820/801 Partner | 8-14 months | 9-15 months | Slower |
Key observations
Most skilled visas are processing faster than six months ago. The Department has invested in additional processing staff and digital systems. Partner visas continue to experience longer wait times due to the volume of applications and the detailed assessment required.
Tips for faster processing
- Submit a complete application with all required documents upfront
- Respond to any Department requests within the stated timeframe
- Complete health and character checks before lodging where possible
- Use a migration agent for complex cases to avoid errors
Key takeaways
- Skilled visa processing is trending faster across the board
- Partner visas are the exception, with slightly longer waits
- Completeness of your application remains the biggest factor you can control
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Important: Australian.com provides general information only and does not constitute migration advice. Only a registered migration agent (MARA) or Australian legal practitioner can provide immigration advice. Information is current as of the date published but immigration law changes frequently. Verify all details with the Department of Home Affairs.