How Long Does State Nomination Take In Australia

If you've lodged an EOI and you're refreshing SkillSelect every morning, you're not alone. State nomination processing time is one of the most-asked questions in Australia's skilled migration journey — and the honest answer is: it depends on which state invited you.

The Real Timeline, State by State

Once a state sends you an invitation to apply, you generally have 14 days to submit your nomination application with supporting documents. From there, state nomination approval time by state looks roughly like this:

• NSW state nomination processing time: 4–8 weeks
• Victoria state nomination processing time: 6–10 weeks
• Queensland 190 nomination processing time: 4–6 weeks
• South Australia state nomination time: 2–6 weeks (often the quickest to move)
• Western Australia & NT: 4–8 weeks
• ACT & Tasmania: 6–12 weeks

So, how long does it take to get state nominated in Australia? On average, applicants wait 4 to 12 weeks from invitation to nomination decision — though this can stretch during peak application periods or when a state is close to filling its yearly allocation.

Which State Nominates Fastest?

Based on current trends, South Australia and Queensland tend to process nominations faster than Victoria, ACT, or Tasmania. But speed shouldn't be your only deciding factor — nomination availability changes constantly. For example, Victoria closed new Registrations of Interest partway through the 2025–26 program year, showing just how quickly quotas can shift.

190 vs 491: Does It Differ?

The 491 visa state nomination processing time follows a similar pattern to the 190, typically 4–12 weeks after invitation. The bigger difference shows up later: 491 (regional) visa applications are currently being finalised faster overall at the federal stage than many 190 applications, making it a smart backup pathway for applicants with 65–70 points.

What Happens After State Nomination Is Approved?

Once approved, the state notifies you through SkillSelect, and you receive a formal invitation to apply for the visa. How long after state nomination is visa granted? This is where most of the real waiting happens — federal processing for the 190 typically takes 8 to 18 months, and for the 491, 4 to 20 months, depending on occupation demand and application completeness.