Visa Type	Stream (if available)	75% of applications processed in	90% of applications processed in
189 Skilled – Independent	Points-tested	24 months	35 months
189 Skilled – Independent	New Zealand	18 months	24 months
190 Skilled – Nominated		9 months	19 months
476 Skilled – Recognised Graduate		35 months	35 months
485 Temporary Graduate	Graduate Work	11 months	17 months
485 Temporary Graduate	Post-Study Work	11 months	12 months
491 Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa	State/Territory Government Nominated Regional	9 months	18 months
491 Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa	Family Sponsored Regional	7 months	14 months
858 Distinguished Talent	Global Talent Pathway	80 days	5 months
858 Distinguished Talent	Distinguished Talent	23 months	24 months
887 Skilled – Regional		21 months	22 months

Important

Visa processing times were significantly delayed due to the impacts of COVID-19 and international border restrictions and closures. As a result of Australia’s border reopening to all fully vaccinated travellers from 21 February 2022, the visa processing times are now slowly reducing as processing has resumed.

Circumstances that affect processing times

Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and actual processing times can vary due to individual circumstances including:

• whether you have lodged a complete application, including all necessary supporting documents
• how promptly you respond to any requests for additional information
• how long it takes to perform required checks on the supporting information provided
• how long it takes to receive additional information from external agencies, particularly in relation to health, character, and national security requirements
• for permanent migration visa applications, how many places are available in the migration programme
• for citizenship applications, the time taken to attend a Citizenship Ceremony or receive a Citizenship Certificate.