Last updated: 30 March 2026

190 Visa Processing Time: Nomination and Federal Timelines

The subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa involves two processing stages managed by two separate government bodies. Before the Department of Home Affairs can assess your application, a state or territory government must nominate you. Each stage has its own timeline, its own factors, and its own queue.

Understanding this two-stage structure is essential for realistic planning. Your total processing time from submitting your Expression of Interest to receiving a visa grant is the sum of both stages running sequentially — not simultaneously.

This page covers current processing times at each stage, how nomination timelines differ by state, what affects federal processing speed, how the total timeline compares to the 189, and what you should be doing during each phase of the wait.

The Two-Stage Structure

The 190 pathway requires you to complete two separate applications with two different authorities:

Stage 1 — State or Territory Nomination: You apply to a state or territory government to be nominated under their skilled migration program. Each state manages its own program independently — setting its own occupation list, its own additional criteria, its own nomination caps, and its own assessment process. The Department of Home Affairs has no role in this stage.

Stage 2 — Federal Visa Application: Once you receive a state nomination, the Department of Home Affairs issues you a SkillSelect invitation. You then lodge your 190 visa application through ImmiAccount. Federal processing assesses your full eligibility and documentation.

These stages run sequentially. You cannot lodge your federal application without a state nomination. Stage 2 does not begin until Stage 1 is complete.

Total time from first submitting your EOI to visa grant is the combined duration of both stages, plus the time between receiving your nomination and lodging your federal application.

Stage 1: State Nomination Processing Times

State and territory nomination processing times are determined entirely by each state government. They vary with program intake caps, occupation demand, assessment volumes, and administrative capacity.

Current Approximate Ranges by State and Territory

These figures are approximate and based on publicly available state government information. They change with intake settings and program volumes. Always check the current stated processing times directly on the relevant state government’s skilled migration website before you apply — these figures can shift significantly within a single program year.

How state nomination programs are structured

Each state and territory runs its own program under a cap allocated by the federal government. The structure varies considerably:

• Some states require a separate state-based Expression of Interest before issuing a nomination invitation
• Some states assess applications on a rolling basis as they are received
• Some states run discrete nomination rounds on a monthly or quarterly schedule
• Some states prioritise specific occupations, regional locations, or applicant profiles at certain times

The 5 additional points awarded for state nomination in the federal points test are only available after you receive a formal nomination confirmation. You cannot claim these points in SkillSelect based on having applied — you must hold the nomination.

Why state nomination is competitive

States operate within fixed nomination caps. When demand for nominations exceeds available places, states apply selection criteria. Common criteria include:

• Occupation on the state’s current occupation list
• Evidence of connection to or intention to live and work in the state
• Work experience in the nominated occupation in Australia
• Higher points scores beyond the minimum 190 thresholds
• Completion of relevant study in the state

Meeting the federal minimum requirements for the 190 does not mean a state will nominate you. State nomination is a separate decision made by the state on the basis of their own program objectives.

Stage 2: Federal Processing Times

Once nominated, the Department of Home Affairs issues a SkillSelect invitation. After you lodge your formal 190 application, federal processing begins. The clock starts from the lodgement date.

Published Federal Processing Times

These figures are published by the Department of Home Affairs and are updated on a rolling basis. They represent the federal application processing stage only — they do not include the time spent in Stage 1.

The 190 federal processing profile is broadly similar to the 189 Independent stream. Both visas are assessed against the same core eligibility framework, and both draw from the same case officer pool at the Department.

What federal processing involves

The case officer assesses:

• Identity and relationship documents for you and all secondary applicants
• Skills assessment validity and outcome for your nominated ANZSCO code
• English language test results
• Points test claims and supporting evidence
• Health examination results uploaded by your panel physician
• Police clearances from all countries where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years
• Secondary applicant health and character checks for your partner and any dependent children

Applications that arrive complete at lodgement — with all documentation in order — proceed through initial assessment without interruption. Applications with gaps in the document set trigger formal requests that pause processing until you respond.

Total Timeline End to End

Combining both stages, your realistic total timeline from first submitting your state EOI to receiving a visa grant is:

These ranges are illustrative. Your actual timeline depends on which state you apply to, how quickly that state’s program runs at the time of your application, how complete your federal application is at lodgement, and whether any complexity in health or character assessment adds time.

Factors That Affect Stage 1 Speed

Which state you apply to

State selection has a direct and significant effect on your total timeline. Faster-processing states with lower nomination volumes can move your application through Stage 1 in 4 to 8 weeks. Competitive states with high volumes can take 4 to 6 months. If you are not tied to a particular state by employment or family circumstances, comparing current processing times across states before applying is a worthwhile step.

Occupation demand within the state

Some occupations are on the priority list for one state but not others. If your occupation is in high demand in a specific state, your nomination may be processed more quickly. If your occupation is one of many competing for limited places, the queue will be longer.

Completeness of your state nomination application

State nomination applications have their own documentation requirements. An incomplete application — missing employment evidence, an expired skills assessment, or an incomplete statutory declaration — will be delayed or rejected. Submit complete documentation from the start.

Timing within the program year

State nomination caps reset with the federal program year. In the first few months after the program year resets, states typically have more places available and nomination times can be shorter. Later in the program year, after high-demand states have used a significant portion of their cap, nomination activity can slow or pause entirely until the new year begins.

Factors That Affect Stage 2 Speed

Complete lodgement on day one

Lodging your federal application with all required documents on day one of your 60-day invitation window is the most controllable factor in federal processing speed. A complete application has nothing to pause on. An incomplete one generates Section 56 requests — formal requests for additional information that pause the processing clock while you prepare your response.

Health assessment complexity

If your health examination raises concerns that require referral to the Department’s Medical Advisory Unit (MAU), the health component of your assessment enters a separate queue. MAU review adds time proportional to the complexity of the health matter. Complete your health examination as early as possible — panel physicians can accept patients once you hold a valid state nomination EOI — and declare your health history accurately.

Police clearance timing

Police certificates from some countries take 2 to 6 months or longer. Factor this into your preparation timeline during Stage 1. By starting the police clearance process while your state nomination is being assessed, you can have all clearances ready to submit at federal lodgement rather than waiting for them after.

Secondary applicants

Each secondary applicant on your application — partner and dependent children — requires individual health examinations and police clearances. Having all secondary applicant documentation complete and ready at lodgement removes a common source of post-lodgement delay.

Preparing During the State Nomination Wait

One of the practical advantages of the 190’s two-stage structure is that Stage 1 gives you preparation time for Stage 2. While your state nomination is being assessed, you can:

• Complete your health examination through a HAP-approved panel physician (physicians accept patients who hold a valid SkillSelect EOI with a state nomination in progress)
• Apply for police clearances from all required countries, allowing for the processing times involved
• Prepare employment reference letters in their final form
• Obtain certified English translations of any non-English documents
• Confirm your skills assessment is still current and the reference number is valid

By the time you receive your nomination and your SkillSelect invitation, you can lodge your federal application within days rather than spending your 60-day window gathering documents.

Bridging Visa and Work Rights During Processing

If you are in Australia on a substantive visa when you lodge your 190 federal application, you are typically granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA). This allows you to remain in Australia lawfully and maintain your work rights while the federal application is assessed.

A BVA does not allow you to re-enter Australia if you depart. If you need to travel internationally while your application is being processed, apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before departing. The BVB covers the specific travel dates you declare and permits re-entry. Departing on a BVA without a BVB means you cannot return to Australia on the bridging visa.

Check your bridging visa conditions in ImmiAccount for the specific work entitlements that apply to your situation.

How the 190 Compares to the 189 on Processing Time

The federal processing stage for the 190 is broadly similar to the 189 in both timeline and process. The meaningful difference is structural:

• The 189 has no nomination stage. Once you receive a SkillSelect invitation based on your points score, you move directly to federal lodgement. The 189 total time is federal processing time only.
• The 190 adds State 1 before federal processing begins. The 190 total time is nomination time plus federal processing time.

The trade-off most applicants face is this: if your points score is not competitive enough for a 189 invitation at current cutoffs, the 190’s 5-point state nomination bonus may bring you into an invitable range. The pathway takes longer overall, but it becomes accessible at a lower independent points score.

For a full comparison of how the two pathways differ across invitation requirements, obligations, and conditions, see our subclass 190 visa guide. For context on how the 190 sits within the broader permanent residency in Australia system, see our PR overview.

After Your 190 Is Granted

When the Department approves your 190 application:

• You receive written notification through ImmiAccount and by email
• The grant takes effect from the date of the decision — you become a permanent resident from that date
• Your visa carries condition 8502, which requires you to live, work, or study in the nominating state or territory for at least 2 years after grant
• Full Medicare access begins from the date of grant
• Your permanent residency travel facility is valid for 5 years from the grant date
• Your Australian citizenship eligibility period begins from the date of your permanent visa grant

The 2-year state residency obligation under condition 8502 is a genuine requirement of the 190. Relocating to another state before completing this period can affect your citizenship eligibility and constitutes a potential breach of visa conditions. Plan accordingly if you have employment or personal circumstances that may take you to another state.

If your application is refused, you receive a written refusal notice with the reasons stated. Review rights and deadlines vary by refusal type — seek advice from a migration agent or registered migration lawyer before any review deadline passes.

Frequently Asked Questions About 190 Visa Processing Time

How long does 190 visa processing take in total?

The combined timeline including state nomination and federal processing typically ranges from 9 to 18 months. State nomination can take 4 weeks to 6 months depending on the state and their current program volumes. Federal processing adds another 6 to 12 months. Applications in faster-processing states with complete federal lodgements sit toward the lower end of this range. Applications in competitive states with additional health or character complexity can extend beyond 18 months.

Does the state you choose affect processing time?

Yes, significantly. Each state processes nominations at different speeds depending on their current intake volumes, program structure, and available resources. At any given time, some states are processing nominations in 4 to 6 weeks while others are working through backlogs of 4 to 6 months. Checking the current processing times on individual state government skilled migration websites before applying is an important step in your pathway planning.

Is 190 processing faster than 189?

The federal processing stage is broadly similar between the two visas — both typically fall within 6 to 12 months at the 75th percentile. However, the 190 requires state nomination first, which adds time before federal processing can begin. The overall 190 timeline is generally longer than the 189 as a result. The relevant question is not which is faster in isolation, but which pathway is accessible given your points score. If your score is not competitive for a 189 invitation at current cutoffs, the 190 may be the appropriate pathway despite the longer total timeline.