Do you know Australia issues over 40,000 skilled worker visa to foreign skilled professionals? Yes, apart from having the strongest economy, Australia has become a home for many due to its high quality of life, world-renowned education and healthcare system.
But, do you know one more thing that Australia’s skilled worker visa continues to evolve in response to shifts in the labour market demand, policy changes, and global economic factors?
Yes, from May 2025, the Home Affairs Department of Australia have updated the processing timing of various skilled worker visa subclasses.
These updates are crucial to understand for prospective applicants planning to immigrate to Australia or looking to establish their global career in Australia.
In this article, we are going to provide you with complete details about the changes made in the skilled worker visa subclasses of Australia.
Major Updates Under the Visa Subclasses for May 2025
The decision of the Home Affairs Department of Australia reflects the current workloads and prioritising of discrete skilled worker visa programs. Here’s the breakdown of recent policy changes.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
The Skilled Independent Subclass Visa 189 is intended for invited skilled professionals and New Zealand citizens who possess in-demand skills and plan to live permanently in Australia.
Previously, the Department of Home Affairs processed applications under this visa program within 4 months. However, after the recent update, they will now assess these applications within 5 months.
This update may cause delays in processing. As a result, candidates must now apply early and ensure they submit complete and accurate documents to avoid further setbacks.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
The Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) is another pathway to permanent residency in Australia, designed for skilled professionals who an Australian state or territory government has nominated.
In addition, candidates are required to achieve a certain number of points to qualify for permanent residency and to be able to live and work in Australia.
Earlier, most applications under this visa program were assessed within 12 months.
However, now the overall processing has increased to 22 months, with 50% of applications being completed within 15 months.
Although half of the applications will now get processed faster, some others might face challenges. It is advised that the nominations from the state or government should be made promptly.
Skilled Worker Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491)
The Skilled Worker Regional (Provisional) visa subclass 491 is made to attract skilled professionals to live and work in a regional area of Australia for upto 5 years.
Before this update, the Department of Home Affairs processed applications under this visa program within 12 to 14 months.
They have now added an extra month, making the processing time for 50% of applications 21 months, while the overall processing time remains unchanged.
Applicants should secure acceptance from a designated regional area in Australia and must meet all regional requirements to be eligible.
Which factors have influenced the processing timing?
The processing timing of the skilled worker visa is being influenced by various factors, which are mentioned below:
Application complexities
We understand that each application is unique and has varying levels of complexity. Consequently, more complex cases demand greater attention.
Quality of Documents
Submission of complete documents is required to receive any of these visas. However, submission of incomplete or incorrect documents can cause delays.
Verification processes
Verification check or other background checks can also adds to the processing time of the particular visa program.
Policy Changes
Immigration policy changes can influence processing priorities and timelines.
Upcoming changes to the Australian Immigration Program – Income threshold update
Starting from 1 July 2025, the Australian Home Affairs Department will introduce new income threshold updates to better align skilled migration with current wage levels better and ensure fair compensation for skilled workers.
- They will raise the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) from AUD 73,150 to AUD 76,515.
- They will also increase the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) from AUD 135,000 to AUD 141,210.
- Additionally, they will lift the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) from AUD 73,150 to AUD 76,515 per year.
These changes aim to reflect prevailing market wages and strengthen support for skilled labour in Australia.
Conclusion
Australia has granted over 40,000 skilled worker visas to international professionals, and the Department of Home Affairs has revised the processing times starting in May 2025.
Several factors now determine processing time, including how complex the application is, the quality of the submitted documents, the thoroughness of verification processes, and recent changes in immigration policies.
The government has also raised income thresholds for skilled migration to align with current wage standards and ensure skilled workers receive fair compensation.
For more details about the Australia Skilled Worker Visa, contact the best Australia Immigration Consultant, Keymart Visa, via +91 9911338722 or info@keymartvisa.com
