PROCESSING TIMES FOR EMPLOYER SPONSORED VISAS AS AT 31/08/2026
482 PROCESSING TIMES
Processing times remain extended across key visa categories:
- Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) – Core Skills Stream: 69 days -10 months
- Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) – Specialist Stream: 8 – 43 days
- Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) – Labour Agreement Stream – 6-9 months
- BVB for travel – up to 6 weeks
(Please note that priority processing applies is in accordance to Ministerial Direction 119
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Visa-subsite/files/md-119.pdf)
Subclass 482 visa applications – the Department is currently processing applications as follows:
As Received – Australian law enforcement or defence interests
August 2026 – Healthcare and teaching occupations (onshore applicants); October 2025 – Construction occupations (onshore applicants)
December 2025 – All other applications where the applicant was in Australia at the time the application
October 2025 – All other applications where the applicant was outside Australia at the time of application.
186 PROCESSING TIMES
- 186DE – Direct Entry 10 months -14 months
- 186TRT- Temporary Transition Pathway – 11 months -15 months
- 186LA – Labour Agreement Pathway – 8months -10 months
Subclass 186 visa applications – the Department is currently processing applications as follows:
DOHA are now processing applications that were generally lodged in:
As Received – Australian law enforcement or defence interests
August 2025 – Healthcare and teaching occupations (onshore applicants); September 2024 – Construction occupations (onshore applicants)
November 2024 – All other applications where the applicant was in Australia at the time of application
July 2024 – All other applications where the applicant was outside Australia at the time of application.
Ministerial Direction 119, released of Ministerial Direction 119 on 25/07/2026 is about the order that applications are considered.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Visa-subsite/files/md-119.pdf
The biggest change is that priority is now based on both occupation and where the visa applicant is located at the time of application.
Priority 1 – Applications connected to Australia’s law enforcement or defence interests.
Priority 2 – Applicants in construction, healthcare and teaching occupations as defined in the link for Ministerial Direction 119 below.
Priority 3 – Applications where the applicant was in Australia at the time of application.
Priority 4 -All other applications where the applicant was outside Australia at the time of application.
