2025 Australia Migration Report
Real data on processing times, success rates by occupation, and state nomination trends. This exclusive report helps you understand your actual chances of skilled migration success.
8.2mo
189 Avg Processing
87%
Avg Success Rate
85pts
Typical Minimum
190k
Annual Intake
Key Insights for 2025
What you need to know before applying for Australian skilled migration this year.
Processing times are improving
189 visa processing dropped from 9.2 to 8.2 months over the past year
Healthcare workers in high demand
Nurses and aged care workers seeing 92%+ success rates and faster processing
Regional visas gaining popularity
491 visa applications up 35% as applicants seek the 15-point bonus
Accountants facing challenges
High competition driving minimum points to 90+ with lower success rates
Processing Time Trends
Average processing times have been steadily improving over the past 12 months.
| Month | 189 Visa | 190 Visa | 491 Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2024 | 9.2 months | 7.5 months | 8.1 months |
| Apr 2024 | 8.8 months | 7.2 months | 7.8 months |
| Jul 2024 | 8.5 months | 6.9 months | 7.6 months |
| Oct 2024 | 8.3 months | 6.8 months | 7.5 months |
| Jan 2025 | 8.2 months | 6.8 months | 7.5 months |
Data sourced from Department of Home Affairs processing time reports. Times are median processing for 75% of applications.
Success Rates by Occupation
Not all occupations have equal chances. Here's how your profession stacks up.
| Occupation | Success Rate | Avg Points | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 89% | 85 pts | — |
| Registered Nurse | 92% | 80 pts | |
| Civil Engineer | 85% | 85 pts | — |
| Accountant | 78% | 90 pts | |
| Chef | 91% | 70 pts | |
| Electrician | 93% | 70 pts | |
| Secondary Teacher | 88% | 75 pts | |
| Mechanical Engineer | 84% | 85 pts | — |
State Nomination Comparison
Each state has different quotas, wait times, and priority occupations for 2025.
NSW
Priority: ICT, Engineering, Healthcare
2025 Quota
4,000
Avg Wait
8-12 weeks
Victoria
Priority: Healthcare, Education, Social Work
2025 Quota
3,500
Avg Wait
6-10 weeks
Queensland
Priority: Trades, Healthcare, Tourism
2025 Quota
3,000
Avg Wait
4-8 weeks
South Australia
Priority: All occupations welcome
2025 Quota
2,500
Avg Wait
4-6 weeks
Western Australia
Priority: Mining, Engineering, Healthcare
2025 Quota
2,000
Avg Wait
2-4 weeks
Tasmania
Priority: All occupations, regional focus
2025 Quota
1,500
Avg Wait
4-6 weeks
Methodology
This report aggregates data from Department of Home Affairs processing time reports, SkillSelect invitation round results, and our internal tracking of visa outcomes. Success rates are calculated based on applications that received invitations and subsequently had visas granted. Data is updated monthly.
Disclaimer: Individual outcomes may vary. This data is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice.
Check Your Own Score
Use our points calculator to see where you stand against these benchmarks.
Calculate Your PointsGet the complete 2025 Migration Report with additional data and analysis.
Warwick Woodley
Immigration Specialist
Immigration researcher and content specialist at Moving to Australia.