Saw the new timelines for 491. Does this mean all 2023 up to...

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-work-regional-provisional-491

We prioritise applications for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa under Ministerial Direction No. 122. We are currently processing applications that were lodged in:

March 2025 – Construction, Healthcare, Teaching, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fishing, and Resources sectors, or in Australia's law enforcement and defence interests. February 2025 – Visa applications from applicants who were in Australia at the time they lodged their application. February 2025 – Visa applications where the primary applicant was outside of Australia at the time they lodged their application and whose application is not combined with another person’s application at any time. February 2025 – All other visa applications from applicants who were outside Australia when they applied. Please note, as we transition to the new priorities under Ministerial Direction No. 122, processing timeframes may fluctuate. Some published timeframes may temporarily move backwards while applications are reprioritised.

thanks

Thank you! This makes sense. Another query - is the reason we are seeing so many 190 grants and very few 491 grants due to the planning levels? Since 491 has only 14k allocation this year?

Yes, planning level is the primary driver as it has to spread out over the year. Lower the planning level, lower the generally observed volume of grants. The 14K is for Regional, of which 491 is a subcategory, lets go 12K for 491 Only, thats about (12K/2.2) ~= 5.5K primary applicants for whole FY, where 2.2 is average family size for 491 (roughly).

P.S. I do expect the 491 grants to pick up a bit in coming months.

Thank you for responding! Being part of the Smart Visa Guide community has been immensely useful

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