Update: 2 September 2026
The below timeframes reflect general processing times published on the government’s Global Visa Processing Times page as of 4 August 2026.
On 25 July 2026, the government implemented Ministerial Direction 119 to prioritise skilled visa processing for onshore applicants and applications supporting Australia’s defence and law enforcement interests (followed by construction, healthcare, and teaching).
To understand the emerging impact of this change, view our article for skilled visa processing updates by priority occupation and onshore/offshore status.
Understanding current government processing times allows businesses to plan recruitment and onboarding with greater certainty.
With clearer expectations around timelines, organisations can better coordinate start dates, allocate resources, and maintain continuity in their workforce planning.
Australian visa processing: July 2026
The government represents processing times as a range. 50% of applications are processed within the lower timeframe and 90% within the upper timeframe.
The below visa processing times were published by the Department of Home Affairs on 4 August 2026 and are subject to change.
| Visa Type | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| 482 Visa – Core Skills Stream | 69 days – 10 months |
| 482 Visa – Specialist Skills Stream | 8 – 43 days |
| 482 Labour Agreement | 6 – 9 months |
| 482 Nomination | 5 days – 9 months |
| 482 Sponsorship | 12 days – 4 months |
| 186 Visa – Transition Stream | 11 – 15 months |
| 186 Visa – Direct Entry Stream | 10 – 14 months |
| 186 Labour Agreement | 8 – 10 months |
| 494 Regional Visa | 7 – 11 months |
| 494 Labour Agreement | 7 – 10 months |
| 600 Visitor Visa (Business Visitor) | 6 – 24 days |
| 400 Visa Global Average | 7 – 26 days |
| WA DAMA Application* | 20 days |
| SA DAMA Application* | 2 to 8 weeks |
*DAMA application processing times are published by the relevant Designated Area Representative – WA: The Department of Training and Workforce Development and SA: Government of South Australia.
The Department of Home Affairs publishes global averages for the 400 Visa. Speak to Interstaff for insights on country-specific processing.
482 Visa trends
Government processing of Subclass 482 Visas continues to be delayed due to legacy caseloads and a 34.5% increase in lodged 482 Visa applications in 2024/25 compared to the previous year.
Since June 2026, trends for 50% of cases reflect the following:
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
