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Note on Subclass 491
FY2025-26 started on 1 July 2025, and the opening 491 backlog is 28741. Last FY opening backlog was > 35K, so the reduction in opening backlog compared to last FY is overall good news.
The planning level for last FY and this FY is the same = 33000 for Regional Category. Subclass 491 is a subcategory of Regional Category. Last FY there were around 24K Subclass 491 grants, this means around (24/33) ~=72% of Regional planning level of 33K was used for Subclass 491. Lets assume the same ratio (72%) for this FY, which means in current FY, 24K planning places are available for Subclass 491 grants.
When FY2024-25 (last FY) opened on 1 July 2024, total 491 backlog was >35K, of which nearly 65% was lodged before 31 July 2023. This means bulk of the backlog was already waiting more than 1 year. So DHA got stuck processing March/April/May/June/July 2023 for a long time, and processing time reached > 24 months for subclass 491 by 30 June 2025. This FY (starting 1 July 2025), the situation is much improved (screenshot below, source). The opening backlog of 28741 is more evenly spread out over the year, so DHA can churn through months more easily and uniformly.
FY2025-26 planning level available for 491 is 24K. There will be new priority 491 lodgments in this FY which get granted quick (in same FY). This ratio (priority as % of total) for 491 isn't as high as that of 190 and 189, as most priority occupations focus on 189/190 first.
Let's say 2K of the 24K planning level is consumed by those priority grants (I know these ratios from previous analyses). So, we have 24K-2K = 22K planning level remaining to process the 491 backlog as at 30 June 2025. Looking at the lodgment patterns in SmartVisaGuide as well as FOI data, it's very likely that DHA will clear most 491 files lodged till March 2025 (roughly), in this FY, potentially touching April 2025 as well. Overall, we should see official processing times gradually declining towards the 15 to 18 months zone by the end of this FY.
Read more about planning levels and state allocation here
FY2025-26 Tasmanian Skilled Migration State Nomination Program Update
Interim nomination allocation The Australian Government has allocated a small number of skilled visa nomination places to states and territories, as an interim measure while it considers full allocation numbers for 2025-26. For Tasmania, this allocation comprises a total of 165 places:
- 85 for subclass 190
- 80 for subclass 491
The final allocation for 2025-26 is expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
As this interim allocation is a small amount, it will only be used to confirm nomination for those applicants who are provisionally approved but could not be nominated with the 2024-25 nomination allocation before all places were used.
All provisionally approved subclass 491 applicants will be formally nominated. However, as there are currently more than 85 provisionally approved subclass 190 applicants, not all these applicants can be nominated at this time. Those subclass 190 applicants in Australia whose current visas will expire soonest, or who currently hold a Bridging visa, will be nominated first. Provisionally approved applicants who cannot yet be nominated have been notified via email and advised that they will have their nominations confirmed as soon as we receive the full 2025-26 nomination allocation.
The 2025-26 Skilled Migration State Nomination Program has not yet opened to new registrations of interest. Further information about the 2025-26 program, opening dates and selection policies will be published in coming weeks on the Migration Tasmania website and newsletter.
📙 Daily Activity Report: 05 Sep 2025 This report summarises visa processing activity and invitation updates for Australian Skilled Visas (subclasses 189, 190, and 491) based on community-shared data.
This summary will be continuously updated throughout the day as more data comes in comments.
Subclass 189 Summary
No subclass 189 activity was reported today.
Subclass 190 Summary
Strong grant activity was observed for subclass 190 visas today, with multiple grants issued to applications lodged in mid-2023. Several grants were issued to applications that had received S56 requests in May 2025, indicating processing of cases with additional documentation requirements. New S56 requests were also issued today for applications lodged in December 2023, primarily requesting medical examinations and employment evidence. States represented include QLD, WA, and SA. One TAS full invite (ITA) was reported for Cafe and Restaurant Manager with 65 points.
Subclass 491 Summary
Significant grant activity for subclass 491 visas, with multiple grants issued to applications lodged between May and July 2023. Several cases involved remedical requests issued in recent months. ACT and NSW were the primary nominating states represented. Employment verification calls were conducted today for offshore applicants. NSW nomination approvals were also being distributed today.
Invitation Data Summary
- TAS 190: Full invite issued for Cafe and Restaurant Manager (65 points, onshore)
- NSW 491: Nomination approvals being received today
Key Trends and Patterns
- Processing timeframes ranging from approximately 2 years to 2 years and 3 months for applications lodged in 2023
- Multiple cases required remedicals or additional medical examinations
- Employment verification calls being conducted for offshore applicants
- S56 requests commonly requesting medical examinations and employment evidence
- Both onshore and offshore applicants receiving grants
Visa Processing Data
| Subclass/State | Location/Occupation | Lodge → Grant Date | S56 Date/Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 190/QLD | Onshore/Civil Engineer | 18/06/23 → 05/09/25 | 22/05/25 |
| 190/WA | Onshore/Chef | 18/06/23 → 05/09/25 | 23/05/25 |
| 190/WA | Onshore/Engineer | 20/06/23 → 05/09/25 | None |
| 190 | Offshore | 27/10/23 → 05/09/25 | Medicals |
| 491/NSW | Offshore/Chemist | 16/05/23 → 05/09/25 | Multiple S56s |
| 491/ACT | Offshore/Mechanical Engineer | 27/06/23 → 05/09/25 | 01/08/25 Employment |
| 491 | Offshore/Chemical Engineer | 30/06/23 → 05/09/25 | 07/08/25 Remedical |
| 491/ACT | Offshore/Maintenance Planner | 30/06/23 → 05/09/25 | 07/09/25 Remedical |
S56 Requests Issued Today
| Subclass/State | Lodge Date | Location | S56 Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 190/SA | 03/12/23 | Unknown | Unknown |
| 190 | 02/12/23 | Unknown | Medical & Employment |
| 190 | 03/12/23 | Offshore | Employment Evidence |
| 491 | 20/07/23 | Offshore | Unknown |
| 491 | 20/07/23 | Unknown | Biometric (newborn) |
📊 Please note that this is crowdsourced data and represents only a subset of total visa processing activity. Only the Department of Home Affairs has complete processing data. For invitation rounds, only the respective states have complete round data.
🔴 Disclaimer: This blog post is an AI summary of community comments. Due to the nature of crowdsourced and AI-generated content, mistakes and discrepancies are possible. This information should be consumed with caution.
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📗 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
Dear @gregormendel I have a few queries. Your prompt response will be much appreciated. If I make my first entry to Australia as single for two days only, then I come back to my home country and get married within one week. Will it cause any problem for me when I lodge my spouse visa later? Will it be any issue if my first entry date and marriage date are close? Also is it ok to visit for only two days for just making first entry? Thank you in advance for your ususal support
