Require the Dept. of Home Affairs to address Subclass 186 visa delays
The issue
After dedicating years to cultivating a promising career in Australia, I find my future hanging in uncertainty due to the ongoing and severe processing delays plaguing the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa applications. Like many others in my situation, I lodged my application almost two years ago and have yet to receive any update or decision. This limbo has not only placed my professional life on hold but has also impacted my mental health, housing, and long-term plans.
The subclass 186 visa is crucial for skilled workers like me, who have already contributed significantly to the Australian economy and society, offering a pathway to permanent residency. However, the current backlog is alarming. According to available data, hundreds, if not thousands, of applicants are experiencing similar delays, resulting in profound uncertainty and hardship, disrupting lives and careers already established in Australia.
The Department of Home Affairs must take immediate and decisive action to rectify this issue. Concrete steps such as increasing the workforce for visa processing, adopting advanced technology solutions for more efficient data management, and establishing clear communication channels to keep applicants informed of progress would alleviate much of the strain and stress facing applicants.
The resolution of these delays is not just about improving processing timelines—it's about acknowledging the commitment of individuals who wish to make Australia their home and contribute positively to the community. By addressing these delays, the Department of Home Affairs can restore faith in the immigration system and demonstrate its commitment to fairness and efficiency in processing visa applications.
Sign this petition to urge the Department of Home Affairs to mobilize resources and implement actionable strategies to end processing delays for Subclass 186 visa applications, thus allowing applicants to continue their lives, careers, and dreams in Australia without further uncertainty.
Many of us are also paying a financial price for this backlog — bridging visa renewals, repeat medical and police checks, ongoing migration agent fees. These are real costs applicants shouldn’t have to bear because of the Department’s own delay. If the backlog can’t be fixed quickly, the Department should at least cover these costs. I’ve added this ask to the petition — thank you to everyone who has signed so far.
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The issue
After dedicating years to cultivating a promising career in Australia, I find my future hanging in uncertainty due to the ongoing and severe processing delays plaguing the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa applications. Like many others in my situation, I lodged my application almost two years ago and have yet to receive any update or decision. This limbo has not only placed my professional life on hold but has also impacted my mental health, housing, and long-term plans.
The subclass 186 visa is crucial for skilled workers like me, who have already contributed significantly to the Australian economy and society, offering a pathway to permanent residency. However, the current backlog is alarming. According to available data, hundreds, if not thousands, of applicants are experiencing similar delays, resulting in profound uncertainty and hardship, disrupting lives and careers already established in Australia.
The Department of Home Affairs must take immediate and decisive action to rectify this issue. Concrete steps such as increasing the workforce for visa processing, adopting advanced technology solutions for more efficient data management, and establishing clear communication channels to keep applicants informed of progress would alleviate much of the strain and stress facing applicants.
The resolution of these delays is not just about improving processing timelines—it's about acknowledging the commitment of individuals who wish to make Australia their home and contribute positively to the community. By addressing these delays, the Department of Home Affairs can restore faith in the immigration system and demonstrate its commitment to fairness and efficiency in processing visa applications.
Sign this petition to urge the Department of Home Affairs to mobilize resources and implement actionable strategies to end processing delays for Subclass 186 visa applications, thus allowing applicants to continue their lives, careers, and dreams in Australia without further uncertainty.
Many of us are also paying a financial price for this backlog — bridging visa renewals, repeat medical and police checks, ongoing migration agent fees. These are real costs applicants shouldn’t have to bear because of the Department’s own delay. If the backlog can’t be fixed quickly, the Department should at least cover these costs. I’ve added this ask to the petition — thank you to everyone who has signed so far.
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Petition created on 28 July 2026