Australia Visa Application Processing Times

Global Australia visa application processing times will be updated monthly, providing you with an indicative timeframe for processing applications. Processing times are available for the majority of visa subclasses products, but will exclude a few subclasses such as those closed to new entrants, subject to capping and queuing, or which have a low volume of applications. Two processing times are displayed in calendar days, indicating how long it is taking to finalise 75 and 90 per cent of applications submitted globally.

Processing times are impacted each month by changes in application volumes, seasonal peaks, complex cases, and incomplete applications. Processing times include applications lodged online and by paper. Where available, you should lodge your application online as it helps streamline processing arrangements.

Circumstances that affect processing times

We assess applications on a case-by-case basis, and actual processing times can vary due to individual circumstances including:

• whether you have lodged a complete application, including all necessary supporting documents
• how promptly you respond to any requests for additional information
• how long it takes to perform required checks on the supporting information provided
• how long it takes to receive additional information from external agencies, particularly in relation to health, character, and national security requirements
• for permanent migration visa applications, how many places are available in the migration program

Summary of Visa application processing times as on 20 April 2020

Australian Skilled Immigration Visa Application Processing Times

• 491 Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) (State/Territory Government Nominated Regional): from 50 to 56 days
• 189 Skilled Independent (subclass 189) (Points-Tested): from 12 months
• 190 Skilled Nominated (subclass 190): from 7 to 9 months

Australian Study Visa Application Processing Times

• 500 – Student visa (Foreign Affairs or Defence Sector): from 8 to 21 days
• 500 – Student visa (Postgraduate Research Sector): from 81 days to 4 months
• 500 – Student visa (Independent ELICOS Sector): from 32 days to 76 months
• 500 – Student visa (Schools Sector): from 86 days to 4 months
• 500 – Student visa (Vocational Education and Training Sector): from 82 days to 4 months
• 500 – Student visa (Higher Education Sector): from 39 days to 63 months
• 500 – Student visa (Non-Award Sector): from 46 days to 74 months
• 590 – Student Guardian visa: from 4 to 5 months

Australian Visit Visa Application Processing Times

• 600 – Visitor (Tourist): from 21 to 35 days
• 600 – Visitor (Sponsored Family): from 55 to 73 days
• 600 – Visitor (Approved Destination Status): N/A due to low volume of applications
• 600 – Visitor (Frequent Traveller): N/A due to low volume of applications
• 600 – Visitor (Business Visitor): 15 to 23 days
• 600 – Visitor (APEC Business Visitor): 1 day
• 602 – Medical Treatment: from 44 to 65 days
• 651 – eVisitor: 1 day
• 771 – Transit: from 9 to 20 days

Australian Temporary Graduate 485 Visa Application Processing Times

• 485 Temporary Graduate (graduate work): from 4 to 5 months

Australian Training Visa Application Processing Times

• 407 – Training visa: from 4 to 5 months

Australian 476 Visa Application Processing Times

• 476 – Skilled – Recognised Graduate: 13 to 17 months

Australian Partner Visa Application Processing Times

• 820 Partner visa (onshore): from 24 to 29 months
• 801 Partner visa (onshore): from 13 to 21 months
• 300 Prospective Marriage: from 13 to 17 months
• 309 Partner (Provisional): from 13 to 21 months

Australian Temporary Work Visa Application Processing Times

• 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Medium-term): from 32 to 56 days
• 462 Work and Holiday (subclass 462): from 28 to 35 days
• 400 Temporary Work (short stay) (subclass 400): from 14 to 21 days
• 403 – Temporary Work (International Relations): N/A due to low volume of applications

Australian Child Visa Application Processing Times

• 101 – Child Visa: from 10 to 14 months
• 102 – Adoption: N/A due to low volume of applications
• 117 – Orphan Relative: N/A due to low volume of applications
• 445 – Dependent Child: 13 to 15 months
• 802 – Child: 13 to 14 months

Australian Talent Visa Application Processing Times

• 124 – Distinguished Talent: N/A due to low volume of applications
• 132 – Business Talent: N/A due to low volume of applications

Australian Parent Visa Application Processing Times

• 143 – Contributory Parent: from 51 to 53 months
• 870 – Sponsored Parent (temporary) visa: 90 days to 5 months

Australian Resident Return Visa Application Processing Times

• 151 – Former resident: N/A due to low volume of applications
• 155 – Resident Return 5 Year: from 32 to 45 days
• 157 – Resident Return 3 months: N/A due to low volume of applications
• 159 – Provisional Resident Return: N/A due to low volume of applications

Australian Employer Nomination Visa Application Processing Times

• 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (Direct Entry): from 4 to 6 months
• 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (Agreement): N/A due to low volume of applications
• 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (Transition): 7 to 8 months
• 187 – Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (Direct Entry): from 25 to 37 months
• 187 – Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (Transition): N/A due to low volume of applications

Australian Business Visa Application Processing Times

• 188 – Business Innovation & Investment (Provisional) (All streams): N/A due to low volume of applications
• 888 – Business Innovation & Investment (Permanent) (All streams): N/A due to low volume of applications
• 890 – Business Owner: N/A due to low volume of applications
• 891 – Investor: N/A due to low volume of applications
• 892 – State Sponsored Business Owner: N/A due to low volume of applications
• 893 – Sponsored Investor: N/A due to low volume of applications

Source: Visa Processing Times