Insights
Waiting for Australian PR? Pending applications have reached 425,000 across visa categories. Simple estimates based on the 2025–26 allocations put the time needed to clear the Subclass 186 backlog at 1.34 years and the partner visa backlog at 2.4 years.
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In May 2026, NSW stopped issuing Subclass 190 EOI pre-invitations, while applications already pre-invited remain under consideration. Subclass 491 pathway 2 may have one more pre-invitation round. Applicants need to distinguish between a pre-invitation and formal nomination.
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With your Subclass 485 nearing expiry and an Australian skilled migration invitation difficult to secure, consider New Zealand’s 6-point system: a one-year postgraduate programme gives 5 points, followed by 1 point for a full year of work after graduation. Reaching 6 points makes you eligible to apply for residency.
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While waiting for an Australian visa, you can check ProcessGuideMaxDays in the webpage source code. It reflects the oldest backlog being processed and the point where the progress bar turns from green to yellow, helping you assess your wait, adjust expectations and plan.
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At the end of March 2026, NSW had 768 Subclass 190 and 469 Subclass 491 places left; Victoria had 807 and 117 respectively. Canberra skipped April 2026 invitations and planned its final round for the week of 4 May 2026.
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If you are preparing for parent migration or nurse registration, note the April 2026 changes: online parent visa applications are available, but sponsors must still upload a paper form. AHPRA has adjusted its English standards; ANMAC still handles nursing skills assessments.
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If you are waiting for a Subclass 191 or employer-sponsored visa, compare the April 2026 progress: Subclass 191 processing has reached applications lodged in mid-to-late August 2025. Although official figures show faster Subclass 482 and 186 processing, our clients have not experienced a noticeable change.
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SUBCLASS 870 · 2026 UPDATE This article was published in April 2026 — the current version is here The Subclass 870 visa’s eligibility requirements, income threshold, application charges, processing times and GTE requirement are set out in full in our August 2026 update. If you only read one, read the update; the article below is kept as an archive. Read
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To lodge a parent migration application online, select Parent Visa under Family in ImmiAccount. Form 47PA is now completed online, but sponsors must still complete a paper Form 40, sign it, then scan and upload the signed form.
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When preparing partner migration evidence, make the most of the single response opportunity and update relationship evidence every 6–12 months. If neither further documents nor an extension request arrives by the deadline, an officer may decide on existing evidence; insufficient evidence may lead directly to refusal.
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