The Department of Home Affairs has released its quarterly processing times update for Q1 2026, providing visibility into current wait times across major visa subclasses.
Skilled independent visa (subclass 189) processing has improved significantly, with 75% of applications now finalised within 6 months, compared to 9 months in Q4 2025. This improvement is attributed to increased staffing and streamlined digital processing.
Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) processing remains stable at 6-9 months for most applicants, though state-nominated applicants from priority occupation lists have seen faster turnaround times of 3-5 months.
Employer-sponsored visas have experienced longer wait times:
- •Subclass 482 (TSS): 4-7 months (up from 3-5 months)
- •Subclass 186 (ENS): 8-14 months (up from 6-12 months)
- •Subclass 494 (SESR): 6-10 months (stable)
DHA recommends applicants ensure all documentation is complete and accurate at the time of lodgement to avoid processing delays. Applications requiring additional health or character checks may take longer than the published timeframes.