Commonwealth of Australia
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) processing time
Home Affairs publishes 6–12 months typical for the subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa.
Typical window
6 months – 1.0 years
Government fees
From AUD 4,640 principal.
Last checked
20 April 2026
What drives the timeline
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) sits in the skilled migration category. Typical duration: Permanent residence.. Indicative government fees: From AUD 4,640 principal..
- Does not require a sponsor.
- Leads to settlement / permanent residence.
- Suited for: High-points-scoring skilled workers worldwide, Those without Australian employer sponsorship but strong profiles.
Primary source
Home Affairs — Global visa processing times
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-visa-processing-times
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) take to process?
Home Affairs publishes 6–12 months typical for the subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa. These figures come from Home Affairs — Global visa processing times and were last verified on 2026-04-20. Always confirm on the primary source before acting.
Is there a priority or premium service that speeds this up?
Refer to the linked primary source for current priority / premium options; availability changes frequently and varies by consular post.
Can you guarantee my application will fall inside this window?
No. Processing times are indicative and depend on case complexity, biometrics scheduling, sponsor-side delays, source country, public-holiday calendars, and policy shifts. The linked source is the only authoritative reference on the day you apply.