✓ Registered Nurse · SA 190 · 75 pts · granted 3 days ago📡 TAS ran a 491 round · Chefs invited · cutoff 65 pts · March 18⏱ 190 visa processing · NSW · now averaging 11 months📊 Accountant EOI pool · 15,240 active EOIs · up 340 this month⚠️ SA Talent stream · reopened March 20 · limited places✓ Software Engineer · ACT 491 · 80 pts · granted 5 days ago📡 189 Round 3 · 2025-26 · expected Jan-Mar 2026⏱ 485 visa fee · $4,600 from 1 March 2026✓ Electrician · QLD 190 · 65 pts · granted 1 week ago📊 Registered Nurse EOI pool · 2,100 active EOIs · Tier 1✓ Registered Nurse · SA 190 · 75 pts · granted 3 days ago📡 TAS ran a 491 round · Chefs invited · cutoff 65 pts · March 18⏱ 190 visa processing · NSW · now averaging 11 months📊 Accountant EOI pool · 15,240 active EOIs · up 340 this month⚠️ SA Talent stream · reopened March 20 · limited places✓ Software Engineer · ACT 491 · 80 pts · granted 5 days ago📡 189 Round 3 · 2025-26 · expected Jan-Mar 2026⏱ 485 visa fee · $4,600 from 1 March 2026✓ Electrician · QLD 190 · 65 pts · granted 1 week ago📊 Registered Nurse EOI pool · 2,100 active EOIs · Tier 1
How long will your PR take?
A personalised end-to-end timeline based on your pathway, occupation tier, points score and nationality. Not a generic estimate — based on 2025–26 actual processing data.
Tell us about your situation
Your visa pathway to PR
Your occupation tier
Your current points score (or expected at lodgement)
Skills assessment — current status
Are you currently in Australia?
Your nationality
2025–26 Reference: Processing Times by Visa Type
Data based on DHA published times, practitioner observations and community reports. 50% of applications are processed within the lower range; 90% within the upper range. Priority occupations (healthcare, teaching) process significantly faster.
Visa
Type
50% processed
90% processed
Notes
189 — Healthcare
Direct PR
30 days
3 months
Tier 1 priority processing
189 — Trades / Education
Direct PR
4.5 months
9 months
Tier 2–3 processing
189 — ICT / Accounting
Direct PR
8 months
18 months
Tier 4 — lowest priority
190 — State Nominated
Direct PR
6.5 months
19 months
State nomination adds variable wait
491 — Regional
Provisional (5yr)
10 months
15 months
Plus 3 yrs regional before 191
191 — Permanent Regional
Permanent
4–6 months
8 months
Applied after 3 yrs on 491
482 Skills in Demand
Temporary
7 days (Specialist)
2–3 months (Core)
Specialist stream exceptionally fast
186 — TRT (Accredited)
Direct PR
4–6 months
8 months
Accredited sponsor priority
186 — TRT (Standard)
Direct PR
12 months
20+ months
High volume — Mar 2024 queue
186 — Direct Entry
Direct PR
12 months
20+ months
Most congested stream
485 — Post-Study Work
Temporary (2–3yr)
25 days (target)
83 days (current avg)
New 25-day target announced Mar 2026
What makes your PR faster or slower — the factors nobody tells you
Makes it FASTER ✓
✓ Healthcare or teaching occupation (Tier 1/2)
✓ 90+ points score (moves to front of queue)
✓ Regional area (priority processing for 186)
✓ Accredited sponsor for 186 (vs standard)
✓ Complete application at lodgement (no Section 56)
✓ Health exam done BEFORE invitation
✓ Police clearances started immediately
✓ Single country police clearance needed
✓ Skills assessment already complete at EOI
Makes it SLOWER ✗
✗ Tier 4 occupation (ICT / accounting)
✗ Missing documents → Section 56 request (+3 months)
✗ Multiple countries lived in (more police checks)
✗ Inconsistency between EOI and skills assessment
✗ Medical conditions flagged in health exam
✗ Offshore application (usually slower than onshore)
✗ Complex character history (AFP delays)
✗ Employer not accredited (186 TRT standard queue)
✗ EOI score at minimum — borderline cases reviewed
Section 56 — the hidden delay: If a case officer requests additional documents, your file moves to the back of the processing queue. This can add 2–4 months to any visa. Submit every possible supporting document at lodgement. More is always better.