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📙 Daily Activity Report: 31 Jul 2026

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⏰ Updates to SmartVisaGuide Visa Processing Time

The visa grant date prediction tool on this website will be updated by the end of this week, to adjust the calculation based on the new Ministerial Direction 119 priorities. Moreover, the subclass pages will also start showing 3 sets of processing times: 1. ONSHORE Priority Occupations 2. ONSHORE Non-Priority Occupations 3. OFFSHORE ALL Occupations. This aligns with the priority order specified in direction 119.

📣 We expect to launch the change on Monday morning 03 Aug 2026. 🚨 However the calculation method will be a bit unstable for atleast a month due to smaller sample sizes and a sudden re-allocation of data points to new categories. By the end of August, a new representative processing time will emerges, reflecting the new processing priorities.

Ministerial Direction 119 and New Visa Processing Priorities

Processing priorities for nomination and visa applications for certain Skilled visas Nomination and visa applications for certain Skilled visas are processed according to Government policy priorities, which are outlined in Ministerial Direction 119 (3MB PDF)​ and came into effect on 25 July 2026.

From this date, Ministerial Direction 119 has replaced all processing priorities under Ministerial Direction 105. Ministerial Direction 119 applies to all on hand applications, including for the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) program, which was not previously included under Ministerial Direction 105. Prioritisation under Ministerial Direction 119 is afforded according to both occupation and the location of applicants at the time of application. - Occupations supporting Australia’s law enforcement and defence interests are afforded the highest priority, followed by those in construction, healthcare, and teaching. - Applicants who are already in Australia have higher priority than those who are outside Australia.

Processing priorities for nomination and visa applications

Skilled nomination and visa applications are processed in the following order of priority: 1. The first and highest priority is given to nomination and visa applications that support Australia's law enforcement or defence interests where the applicant is in Australia at the time of application. 2. The second priority is given to nomination and visa applications that support Australia's law enforcement or defence interests where the applicant is outside Australia at the time of application. 3. The third priority is given to nomination and visa applications relating to construction, healthcare, and teaching occupations where the applicant is in Australia at the time of application. 4. The fourth priority is given to all other nomination and visa applications where the applicant is in Australia at the time of application. 5. The fifth and final priority is given to all other nomination and visa applications where the applicant is outside Australia at the time of application.

Visa classes and subclasses included in this Direction

Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) visa Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)(subclass 191) visa Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa​ Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa Skilled Regional (Provisional) (subclass 489) visa Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) visa Skilled Regional (subclass 887) visa Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888) visa.

Resources

Media Release: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/visa-processing-priorities/skilled-visa Ministerial Direction 119: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Visa-subsite/files/md-119.pdf

Did anyone notice the recent 190 grants seen on SVG database are mostly priority grants? Where are the non-priority grants then?

Mr. @gregormendel I'm Offshore applicant, Agricultural Consultant (234111), Points 70-189, 75-190, 85-491. Any chance to get invited?

📙 Daily Activity Report: 30 July 2026

This report summarises visa grants, S56 requests, and invitation activity for skilled migration visas (subclass 189, 190, and 491) based on crowdsourced data from the community.

Visa Grants

S56 Trends

Trends and Patterns in S56 Requests

Three S56 requests were reported today, all for medical examinations or remedicals. The SA Computer Network and Systems Engineer case received an S56 after 14 months of lodgement, while the ACT Primary Teacher case received two S56 requests - the first after approximately 4 months and the second after 5 months. The SA Urban and Regional Planner case received an S56 for medicals for both primary applicant and partner after 14 months.

Priority occupation (Primary Teacher) showed faster overall processing despite multiple S56 requests. Non-priority occupations experienced longer processing times, with the SA Computer Network and Systems Engineer case taking 15 months and the SA Urban and Regional Planner case taking 14 months from lodgement to grant.

Several direct grants were reported with no S56 requests, particularly for cases lodged in late April 2026, suggesting streamlined processing for complete applications. Processing times for these direct grants ranged from 3 months (91 days for QLD Civil Engineering Draftsperson and QLD Registered Nurse) to approximately 3 months for NSW Community Worker and WA Construction Project Manager.

The SA Urban and Regional Planner case included a change of circumstances (newborn addition) which may have contributed to the extended processing time and subsequent S56 request.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This blog post is an AI summary of the comments below and may be refreshed as more comments arrive. Due to the nature of crowdsourced and AI-generated content, mistakes and discrepancies are possible. This information should be consumed with caution.

📊 This data is crowdsourced and represents only a subset of total visa activity. Only the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has access to complete grant data.

Useful Links

👨🏻‍🏫 Book IELTS 💾 FOI 🧮 Calculator 🗳️ FY2025-26 Guide to Australian PR

📗 FY2025-26 Migration Planning Levels 🔖 Frequently Asked Questions 📞 Useful phone numbers and emails 📋 Visa Application Document List 🏘️ Guide to Housing, Jobs and Community 📲 Whatsapp Groups ☎️ Book Consultation to explore your 189/190/491 Skilled Visa Options

Hi all,

There is an update on DHA site - Applications for the Skilled – Nominated (subclass 190) visa are prioritised in accordance with Ministerial Direction No. 119. Applications currently being allocated for processing were generally lodged in:
As received – related to Australian law enforcement or defence interests April 2025 for construction, healthcare and teaching occupations (onshore applicants) April 2025 – all other applications where the applicant was in Australia at the time of application February 2025 – all other applications where the applicant was outside Australia at the time of application. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-nominated-190 @biotechy

@gregormendel @biotechy @blackbaba - Could you pls clarify when ROI portal for victoria will be available for submitting new applications?

@gregormendel @biotechy - Hi. Could someone help me understand if submitting EoI for two different ANZScodes 149914 and 234111 is not right as both are assessed by VETASSES? I am being told now by some people only ACS assessed job codes can be applied in multiple by a single applicant but vetasses assessed job codes could be allowed only one per one applicant. Am I going to face any issues in future because of this. I have applied for NAATI too to claim the additional 5m. Someone who are aware of this kindly help me get a clarity. Where do i look up for this info

Hi

My friend is planning to apply for Australian Immigration. I have done ACCA and Bachelors of Accounting and Finance and 8+ years if experience. Which occupation should i choose to maximize my chances of getting invite:

Actuary Accountant Internal Auditor External Auditor

Which is best and fastest occupation to get PR.

📙 Daily Activity Report: 29 Jul 2026

This report summarises visa grants, S56 requests, and invitation activity for 29 July 2026, based on crowdsourced data from the Australian skilled migration community.

Visa Grants

S56 Trends

Trends and Patterns

Priority Occupations: Health occupations (Registered Nurses) continue to receive expedited processing, with grants issued within 1-2 months of lodgement. Three RN grants were processed in approximately 1 month, demonstrating the impact of Ministerial Direction prioritisation.

Non-Priority Occupations: Engineering and other non-priority occupations show significantly longer processing times, ranging from 7 to 19 months. Most cases lodged in late 2024 and early 2025 received grants today.

S56 Requests: Common S56 requests include Police Clearance Certificates (PCC) and remedicals. Multiple S56 requests were observed in several cases, particularly for applications lodged in early 2025. One unique case involved an S56 for a baby's passport after birth during visa processing.

Direct Grants: Several applicants received direct grants without S56 requests, particularly in health occupations and recent lodgements.

Offshore Activity: One offshore grant was reported today (Material Technician, VIC 190), with a processing time of approximately 21 months from lodgement.

News and Updates

Ministerial Direction 119 has been released, superseding Direction 105. The new direction categorically prioritises onshore applicants over offshore applicants for visa processing.

Useful Resources

• Ministerial Direction 119 Analysis: https://smartvisaguide.com/posts/16710

🔴 Disclaimer: This blog post is an AI summary of the comments below and may be refreshed as more comments arrive. Due to the nature of crowdsourced and AI-generated content, mistakes and discrepancies are possible. This information should be consumed with caution.

📊 This data is crowdsourced and represents only a subset of total visa activity. Only the Department of Home Affairs has complete grant data.

Useful Links

👨🏻‍🏫 Book IELTS 💾 FOI 🧮 Calculator 🗳️ FY2025-26 Guide to Australian PR

📗 FY2025-26 Migration Planning Levels 🔖 Frequently Asked Questions 📞 Useful phone numbers and emails 📋 Visa Application Document List 🏘️ Guide to Housing, Jobs and Community 📲 Whatsapp Groups ☎️ Book Consultation to explore your 189/190/491 Skilled Visa Options

📙 Daily Activity Report: 28 Jul 2026

This report summarises visa grants, S56 requests, and invitation activity based on crowdsourced data from the community for 28 July 2026.

Visa Grants

S56 Trends

Trends and Patterns in S56 Requests

Priority occupations (Health) continue to demonstrate expedited processing. Both Registered Nurse and Social Worker grants were processed within approximately 1.5 months of lodgement, consistent with Ministerial Direction 105 prioritisation.

Non-priority occupations show varied processing times. The Architectural Draftsperson (QLD 190) was processed in approximately 4 months, while the University Lecturer (WA 190) was processed in approximately 4.5 months. Both received direct grants without S56 requests.

One offshore 190 applicant who lodged in May 2025 received an S56 request for medicals and CPM after approximately 14 months, indicating extended processing for offshore non-priority cases.

Subsequent entrant grants for 491 visas were also observed today.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This blog post is an AI summary of the comments below and may be refreshed as more comments arrive. Due to the nature of crowdsourced and AI-generated content, mistakes and discrepancies are possible. This information should be consumed with caution.

📊 This data is crowdsourced and represents only a subset of total visa activity. Only the Department of Home Affairs has complete grant data.

Useful Links

👨🏻‍🏫 Book IELTS 💾 FOI 🧮 Calculator 🗳️ FY2025-26 Guide to Australian PR

📗 FY2025-26 Migration Planning Levels 🔖 Frequently Asked Questions 📞 Useful phone numbers and emails 📋 Visa Application Document List 🏘️ Guide to Housing, Jobs and Community 📲 Whatsapp Groups ☎️ Book Consultation to explore your 189/190/491 Skilled Visa Options

Tasmanian Skilled Migration State Nomination Program Update - July 2026

FY 2026-27 Program Allocations A total of 2050 nomination places have been issued to Tasmania this year, comprising: - Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa: 1250 places - Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa: 800 places Tasmania’s Skilled Migration State Nomination Program will reopen to new Registrations of Interest in the coming weeks, with details to be announced soon.

You can monitor the Migration Tasmania site for the latest information regarding the 2026-27 program. Details will also be announced in this newsletter.

Once the program reopens, please carefully read the 2026-27 program settings and guidelines for any changes.

Nomination applications lodged but not yet decided

If you have lodged an application for nomination but have not received an outcome, Migration Tasmania will continue to process your application against the requirements in place at the time you lodged your application. If approved, applicants will be nominated in SkillSelect.

Subclass 491 applicants seeking subclass 190 nomination

Applications for subclass 491 nomination that have been lodged but not yet decided will not be considered for subclass 190 nomination. If you wish to be considered for subclass 190 nomination you will need to withdraw your current application and register for subclass 190 when the 2026-27 program opens.

A new invitation to apply for subclass 190 nomination will depend upon the level of interest and the number of pro-rata places available at the time.

Read more here.

📙 Daily Activity Report: 27 Jul 2026

This report summarises visa grants, S56 requests, and invitation activity for 27 July 2026, based on crowdsourced data from the Australian skilled migration community.

Visa Grants

S56 Trends

Invitation Activity

No invitation round data was reported for this date.

Trends and Patterns in S56 Requests

One S56 request for medicals was reported for both primary and secondary applicants on a 190 visa lodged in May 2025. The majority of grants reported today were direct grants with no additional documentation requests, suggesting streamlined processing for certain occupations and profiles.

Priority occupations (Health and Teaching) continue to show faster processing times. The RN Aged Care grant processed in approximately 4.5 months, while the University Lecturer grant took approximately 14.5 months. Non-priority occupations such as Architectural Draftsperson experienced longer processing times of approximately 14.5 months.

News and Updates

Tasmania has commenced issuing full invites (nominations) for preinvites from the previous financial year, indicating progression in their nomination pipeline.

Useful Resources

• S56 Request Details

⚠️ Disclaimer: This blog post is an AI summary of the comments below and may be refreshed as more comments arrive. Due to the nature of crowdsourced and AI-generated content, mistakes and discrepancies are possible. This information should be consumed with caution.

📊 This data is crowdsourced and represents only a subset of total visa activity. Only the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and individual states have access to complete data.

Useful Links

👨🏻‍🏫 Book IELTS 💾 FOI 🧮 Calculator 🗳️ FY2025-26 Guide to Australian PR

📗 FY2025-26 Migration Planning Levels 🔖 Frequently Asked Questions 📞 Useful phone numbers and emails 📋 Visa Application Document List 🏘️ Guide to Housing, Jobs and Community 📲 Whatsapp Groups ☎️ Book Consultation to explore your 189/190/491 Skilled Visa Options

Has DHA done this before? Have they ever put offshore applications on hold like this?

This whole situation is becoming incredibly frustrating and stressful. It’s hard to watch people who lodged around the same time—or even later—receive their visas within 10 months while some of us are still waiting with no updates at all. It feels like we’re left in the dark, with no idea when our visas will be granted.

At this point, it makes you wonder what the benefit of being in a priority occupation is if there doesn’t seem to be any priority in processing. Is anyone else in the same situation, or has DHA done something similar in previous years?

📙 Daily Activity Report: 24 Jul 2026

This report summarises visa grants and invitation activity for 24 July 2026 based on crowdsourced data from the community.

Visa Grants

S56 Trends

Trends and Patterns in S56 Requests

The majority of grants reported today were direct grants with no S56 requests. Only one case (TAS 190 Enrolled Nurse) received an S56 on 12 June 2026 requesting correct AFP documentation and evidence of regional residency to support the claimed 5 points for regional study. The applicant responded on 15 June 2026 and received the grant on 22 July 2026.

Priority Occupation Processing: The Enrolled Nurse (priority occupation) case showed a processing time of approximately 5 months despite the S56 request, which is consistent with expedited processing for health occupations under Ministerial Direction 105. The Physiotherapist (also priority) received a direct grant in approximately 1.5 months.

Non-Priority Occupation Processing: Social Worker, Community Worker, and Painting Trades Worker cases all showed processing times of approximately 3 months with direct grants and no S56 requests.

State Patterns: NSW and WA grants were all direct grants. The single TAS grant involved an S56 request for documentation verification.

🔴 Disclaimer: This blog post is an AI summary of the comments below and may be refreshed as more comments arrive. Due to the nature of crowdsourced and AI-generated content, mistakes and discrepancies are possible. This information should be consumed with caution.

📊 This is crowdsourced data and represents only a subset of total visa activity. Only the Department of Home Affairs has complete grant data.

Useful Links

👨🏻‍🏫 Book IELTS 💾 FOI 🧮 Calculator 🗳️ FY2025-26 Guide to Australian PR

📗 FY2025-26 Migration Planning Levels 🔖 Frequently Asked Questions 📞 Useful phone numbers and emails 📋 Visa Application Document List 🏘️ Guide to Housing, Jobs and Community 📲 Whatsapp Groups ☎️ Book Consultation to explore your 189/190/491 Skilled Visa Options

Has any offshore applicant contacted or approached DHA regarding their pending Subclass 190 application? If yes, did you receive any specific response regarding why the processing of offshore applications are not picking up or when offshore grants may resume?

Hi all,

Can someone make a FOI to ask for nb of PR grant onshore vs offshore since beginning of FY? I do not understand how there has not been even one offshore grant popping up while, the budget clearly allocates 55k spot to the offshore, going primarly to highly skilled applicants according to them.

@gregormendel, what is your opinion on the situation ?

Thank you

📙 Daily Activity Report: 23 July 2026

Today's report summarises visa grant activity for Subclass 189 and 190 visas, highlighting processing times, S56 request patterns, and trends across different states and occupations.

Visa Grants

S56 Trends

Trends and Patterns

Priority Occupation Processing: Health occupations (Registered Nurses, Medical Practitioners, Physiotherapists) continue to demonstrate expedited processing under Ministerial Direction 105. Multiple RN grants were processed in approximately 3 months, with some receiving straight grants without S56 requests. Medical Practitioner NEC received grant in just over 1 month.

Non-Priority Occupation Processing: The Civil Draftsperson application lodged in June 2025 took approximately 13 months to process, with two S56 requests (PCC and Medical). The Carpenter and Community Worker applications showed processing times of approximately 3-4 months.

S56 Request Patterns: Most grants today were straight grants with no S56 requests. Where S56s were issued, they primarily requested medicals and PCCs. One case required relationship proof documentation. The timing of S56 requests varied from immediately after lodgement to several months into processing.

State Distribution: Tasmania and WA featured prominently in today's grants, with Victoria and NSW also represented. Subclass 189 grants were distributed across multiple states, while 190 grants came from TAS, VIC, NSW, and WA.

📊 This report represents crowdsourced data and is therefore a subset of total visa activity. Only the Department of Home Affairs has complete grant data for the day.

🔴 Disclaimer: This blog post is an AI summary of the comments below and may be refreshed as more comments arrive. Due to the nature of crowdsourced and AI-generated content, mistakes and discrepancies are possible. This information should be consumed with caution.

Useful Links

👨🏻‍🏫 Book IELTS 💾 FOI 🧮 Calculator 🗳️ FY2025-26 Guide to Australian PR

📗 FY2025-26 Migration Planning Levels 🔖 Frequently Asked Questions 📞 Useful phone numbers and emails 📋 Visa Application Document List 🏘️ Guide to Housing, Jobs and Community 📲 Whatsapp Groups ☎️ Book Consultation to explore your 189/190/491 Skilled Visa Options

📙 Daily Activity Report: 22 Jul 2026

This report summarises visa grants, S56 requests, and invitation activity for Australian skilled migration visas (subclasses 189, 190, and 491) based on crowdsourced data from the community.

Visa Grants

S56 Trends

Trends and Patterns in S56 Requests

S56 requests on 22 July 2026 predominantly involved medical examinations and police clearance certificates. Several applicants received multiple S56 requests throughout their processing journey, particularly for remedicals when initial checks expired after 12 months. Common S56 requests included:

• Medical examinations and remedicals: Most frequent request type, particularly for applications lodged 12+ months prior
• Police clearance certificates: AFP and PCC renewals when documents exceeded 12-month validity
• Employment verification: Work reference letters and payslips
• Relationship evidence: For partner/dependent applications
• Specific vaccinations: Polio vaccine requirements

Priority occupations (Health and Teaching) demonstrated faster processing times. Secondary Teachers and Registered Nurses received grants within 7-8 months, while non-priority occupations experienced processing times ranging from 12-17 months. Several applicants proactively renewed their AFP and PCC documents before the 12-month expiry to avoid S56 requests.

Direct grants (no S56) were reported for Chemical Engineer (189), Painter (190), Business Analyst (190 TAS), and RN NEC (190 VIC), indicating streamlined processing for certain cases.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This blog post is an AI summary of the comments below and may be refreshed as more comments arrive. Due to the nature of crowdsourced and AI-generated content, mistakes and discrepancies are possible. This information should be consumed with caution.

📊 This data represents a subset of total visa activity. Only the Department of Home Affairs holds complete grant statistics.

Useful Links

👨🏻‍🏫 Book IELTS 💾 FOI 🧮 Calculator 🗳️ FY2025-26 Guide to Australian PR

📗 FY2025-26 Migration Planning Levels 🔖 Frequently Asked Questions 📞 Useful phone numbers and emails 📋 Visa Application Document List 🏘️ Guide to Housing, Jobs and Community 📲 Whatsapp Groups ☎️ Book Consultation to explore your 189/190/491 Skilled Visa Options

Is it worth to update work payslips while waiting for grant ? means does it helps with application being picked by CO ??

Hi Any Mechanical Engineer who applied in May 2025, got s56 ? or visa granted ?

Its been past 14 months now and still status show 'received' only..

It appears that we must get use to it...

Onshore... Onshore... Onshore...

📙 Daily Activity Report: 21 Jul 2026

This report summarises visa grants, S56 requests, and invitation activity for 21 July 2026, based on crowdsourced data from the Australian skilled migration community.

Visa Grants

S56 Trends

Trends and Patterns in S56 Requests

The S56 requests observed today show a diverse range of document requirements. Medical requests (including remedicals) remain the most common S56 type, appearing in three cases (TAS190 Motor Mechanic, TAS190 Chef, and SA491 Registered Nurse). One case involved relationship evidence (WA190 Cabinet Maker), while another required general document submission (ACT190 Information and Organisation Professionals nec). A unique request was noted for consent to exchange criminal records with New Zealand for an onshore 190 applicant who lodged in April 2026.

Priority occupations (Health) continue to demonstrate expedited processing times. The 189 Registered Nurse grants were processed in approximately 1.4 months, while the 491 SA Registered Nurse (Aged Care) was processed in approximately 5.2 months. The 189 Social Worker grant was also processed quickly at 1.4 months.

Non-priority occupations show more varied processing times. The VIC190 Carpenter (3.4 months), TAS190 Enrolled Nurse (3.3 months), and TAS190 Motor Mechanic (3.5 months) all demonstrated relatively swift processing. However, the ACT190 Information and Organisation Professionals nec case took significantly longer at approximately 16.8 months, likely due to the S56 request in May 2026.

Direct grants (without S56 requests) were common among priority occupations, with three 189 health professionals receiving direct grants. Several trade occupations also received direct grants, including the VIC190 Carpenter.

🔵 This data represents a subset of total visa activity. Only the Department of Home Affairs has complete grant statistics.

🔴 DISCLAIMER: This blog post is an AI summary of crowdsourced comments and may be refreshed as more data arrives. Due to the nature of crowdsourced and AI-generated content, mistakes and discrepancies are possible. This information should be consumed with caution.

Useful Links

👨🏻‍🏫 Book IELTS 💾 FOI 🧮 Calculator 🗳️ FY2025-26 Guide to Australian PR

📗 FY2025-26 Migration Planning Levels 🔖 Frequently Asked Questions 📞 Useful phone numbers and emails 📋 Visa Application Document List 🏘️ Guide to Housing, Jobs and Community 📲 Whatsapp Groups ☎️ Book Consultation to explore your 189/190/491 Skilled Visa Options