Commonwealth of Australia · Processing time
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190): how long does it take?
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
6–12 months typical; state nomination stage is separate.
How long does the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) take to process in Australia?
The typical published decision window is 6 months – 12 months from a complete application. 6–12 months typical; state nomination stage is separate.
Verified against Home Affairs — Global visa processing times on 1 June 2026.
Typical wait
6 months – 12 months
from complete application
Government fees
From AUD 4,640 principal.
Last checked
1 June 2026
What is the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)?
State-nominated permanent residence visa providing a 5-point SkillSelect boost.
Subclass 190 is the state-nominated parallel to subclass 189. A state or territory government nomination adds 5 points and accesses state-specific occupation lists. Commitments include residing in the nominating state for a defined period.
- Sponsorship: No job offer or employer sponsor is required.
- Settlement: This route can lead to permanent residency in Commonwealth of Australia.
- Typical permit length: Permanent residence.
- Indicative government fees: From AUD 4,640 principal.
How to read this estimate
The 6 months – 12 months window is the time Home Affairs — Global visa processing times typically associates with the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) — measured from a complete, correctly-lodged application through to a decision, not from when you start gathering documents.
- Collecting documents, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the clock starts.
- If the authority requests more information, the clock pauses until you reply — so a fast, complete response keeps your place in the queue.
- Processing times shift with application volumes and policy changes. The Home Affairs — Global visa processing times page linked below is the only figure that is current on the day you apply.
Official 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 Nominated visa (subclass 190) take to process?+
The typical wait is 6 months – 12 months from submitting a complete application. 6–12 months typical; state nomination stage is separate. These figures come from Home Affairs — Global visa processing times and were last verified on 2026-06-01. Always confirm on the primary source before you apply.
When does the 6 months – 12 months clock start?+
The clock starts when Home Affairs — Global visa processing times receives a complete, valid application — not when you begin collecting documents. Gathering evidence, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the window starts.
Is there a way to speed up the decision?+
Some Australia routes offer a priority or premium service for an additional fee. Check the linked primary source for current options — availability changes and varies by consular post.
What makes an application take longer than expected?+
The most common reasons for delays beyond the published window are: missing or incorrect documents, a request for more information (which pauses the clock until you reply), background or medical checks, and consular appointment backlogs in your country. Submitting a complete, well-organised application on day one is the single biggest thing you can do to stay inside the published window.
When should I treat my Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) application as delayed?+
Wait until you have passed the upper end of the published window (6 months – 12 months) before treating it as delayed. At that point, a single polite status enquiry through the official channel is reasonable. Do not chase repeatedly, as this tends to slow a case rather than speed it up.
Next steps
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.