The Real Visa Timeline: What Nurses and Skilled Migrants Need to Know Before Applying for an Australian Visa

 If you're a nurse or skilled professional preparing to migrate to Australia, you're probably asking the question:
 “How long will it take to get my visa?”

But here’s the truth most people don’t realise—your visa waiting period doesn’t begin the moment you submit your application. It only starts once you’ve completed all the required steps.

That means if your nursing registration, skills assessment, or family health checks aren’t done, you haven’t officially started the clock.

In this blog, we break down the real timeline, the key steps that impact your visa wait time, and how to avoid delays that could cost you months of frustration.

1. Processing Times Depend on Government Priorities

Australian visa processing times aren’t fixed. They shift based on the government’s changing priorities. For example, certain skilled occupations may be fast-tracked if there’s a national shortage—others may be pushed to the back of the queue.

So even if you apply early, your profession’s priority level can determine how fast your visa moves through the system.

But here's the catch: none of this matters if your file isn’t complete. If you haven’t finalised your nursing registration or skills assessment, the Department of Home Affairs won’t even begin processing your visa.

2. Registration and Skills Assessment Must Come First

Many nurses believe they’ve “started” the visa process when they begin collecting documents. But unless you’ve already been approved by AHPRA and passed your skills assessment, your application won’t be accepted.

This includes things like:
 ✅ Completing your AHPRA registration or applying via TTMRS if you’re a nurse from New Zealand
 ✅ Passing your English language test (which may need to be retaken)
 ✅ Having your partner or spouse complete their English test (if required)

Until all of this is done, your visa application can’t proceed—and that means the real wait hasn’t even begun.

3. Health Checks Are Mandatory—for Everyone in Your Family

Another area that causes delays is health checks. These aren’t just for you—they’re for your partner and dependent children too.

If these medical assessments aren’t completed at the right time, they can trigger unnecessary delays in processing. In some cases, applicants think their visa is being reviewed, when in fact it's been paused—waiting on a health check result.

By scheduling these appointments early, you give yourself the best chance of a smooth visa approval.

4. Don’t Assume the Clock Has Started—Confirm It

We’ve seen clients panic over wait times, only to discover they were never actually in the queue. Why? Because they were still missing key documentation or had not yet submitted a complete application.

You must confirm that your application is lodged with all required supporting documents before you consider your processing time to be underway.

This small shift in understanding can make all the difference to your stress levels—and your outcome.

5. Legal Guidance Can Save You Months

With so many moving parts—English tests, health checks, AHPRA registration, and shifting visa priorities—it’s easy to make costly mistakes.

That’s where legal support comes in. At SOLVi Migration, we help nurses and skilled professionals avoid delays by guiding them through each step in the correct order. From the first consultation, we’ll map out your full migration plan to get you to Australia faster and with confidence.

Ready to Get the Right Help?

🌟 If you want trusted legal advice to migrate successfully to Australia, including your registration and other legal questions, book a paid legal consultation with SOLVi Migration today:

👉 www.solvi.com.au 

🌟 If you’re just starting out and need guidance to secure your AHPRA registration, join our Nurse Registration Course for clear, affordable support and a thriving online community:

👉 www.nurseregistration.com 

DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only and nothing in this content or its description constitutes legal advice. For advice on your personal circumstances, please make an appointment at SOLVi Migration www.solvi.com.au Copyright SOLVI PTY LTD 2025.

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