Employer Nomination Scheme: current processing times
Official Department of Home Affairs global processing times for the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).
Reference period to 30 June 2026 · published by Home Affairs 04 August 2026 · indicative times based on recently decided applications, not guarantees.
| Stream | 25% decided in | 50% decided in | 75% decided in | 90% decided in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Entry Pathway | 6 Months | 10 Months | 12 Months | 14 Months |
| Agreement Pathway | 30 Days | 8 Months | 10 Months | 10 Months |
| Transition Pathway | 6 Months | 11 Months | 13 Months | 15 Months |
Source: Home Affairs global visa processing times, captured on the Department's monthly update cycle.
How to read these figures
"50% decided in 10 Months" means half of the Employer Nomination Scheme applications decided recently were finalised within that time — and half took longer. The 90% figure is the more conservative planning number: nine in ten recent decisions happened within it. These figures move month to month, and an individual application can be faster or slower than any percentile depending on completeness, health and character checks, and whether the Department asks for more information.
Home Affairs is explicit that these are indicative figures based on recently decided applications — they are not a promise about any application, including one already lodged.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the 186 visa take to process?
As at 30 June 2026, Home Affairs reports that 50% of recently decided Employer Nomination Scheme applications were finalised within 10 Months and 90% within 14 Months. These are indicative figures based on recently decided applications, not guarantees.
Are these processing times guaranteed?
No. Home Affairs publishes them as indicative times based on recently decided applications. An individual application can be faster or slower depending on completeness, health and character checks, and requests for more information.
What can I do if my application is taking longer?
No one can lawfully speed up a Department decision. A MARA-registered migration agent can review whether something specific is holding an application up — an unanswered request or a document gap — and make sure Department correspondence is handled properly.
Application taking longer than the 90% mark?
No one can lawfully speed up a Department decision, and be wary of anyone who claims otherwise. What a MARA-registered migration agent can do is review whether something specific is holding an application up — an unanswered request, a document gap, a health or character step — and make sure any Department correspondence is handled properly. Describe your situation once through Migratio and compare consultation quotes from registered agents, free.
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Read our Employer Nomination Scheme guide · All visa processing times · Processing-times lookup tool