Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (494) — processing times

Indicative community data, not official, not advice. Always check the Department of Home Affairs for official processing times.

Estimated median (from official figures)

4.0 months

Typical range: 2.9 months – 6.0 months · 58 tracking

Sample figure shown until this visa reaches 30 community reports.

50% decided in 3 months–5 months depending on stream, 90% within 11 months (official, to 31 May 2026)

Every report improves these numbers for the next applicant. No account needed.

Employer Sponsored Regional 494 processing priorities — Skilled visa income thresholds have increased in line with changes to annual Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings. For more information see Annual… (updated 29 July 2026) · Home Affairs ↗
Skilled visa income thresholds — Skilled visa income thresholds are increasing in line with changes to annual Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings. For more information see Annual… (updated 1 July 2026) · Home Affairs ↗
Increased skilled visa income thresholds - 2025 — Skilled visa income thresholds are increasing in line with changes to annual Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings. For more information, see Annual… (updated 1 July 2026) · Home Affairs ↗

Notices from the Department of Home Affairs — always read the full notice at the official source.