MIA meeting on subclass 482 visa processing delays
On 21 May 2025, senior representatives from the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) met with senior officials from the Department to discuss ongoing processing delays in the Subclass 482 visa program. The following are the key points from the meeting:
1. Resource Allocation and Backlog Management
The Department advised that resources have been reallocated to prioritise the finalisation of the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa backlog. Since the closure of the TSS visa program in December 2024, the volume of pending applications has reportedly decreased by 60%. The Department is now close to completing the processing of these legacy cases.
2. 482 Visa Application Volume and Processing Outlook
There has been a 44% year-on-year increase in Subclass 482 visa applications. Once the TSS backlog is cleared, the Department expects to redirect resources to improve processing times for Subclass 482 Standard Business Sponsorship (SiD) visa applications, aiming to better meet published service standards.
3. Analysis of Processing Delays
The Department stated that applications deemed “decision-ready” for the 482 SiD visa are being processed in accordance with service standards. However, a large proportion of applications are not considered decision-ready, which is a key reason behind current delays. The MIA has requested the Department to provide clearer definitions and guidance on what constitutes a decision-ready application to assist members in preparing stronger submissions.
In addition, the MIA noted that these issues will be further discussed at the upcoming stakeholder meeting on 6 June 2025. The MIA is also advocating for a member consultation regarding upcoming changes to ImmiAccount’s multi-factor authentication (MFA) requirements. Further details will be announced once confirmed.
If you have any questions or would like professional assistance, please feel free to contact us at Riverwood Migration (Email: [email protected]). We are committed to providing transparent, expert migration services to help you achieve your dream of moving to Australia.
