Australia Visa Processing Time

Australian visa processing times vary significantly depending on the category. For example, Visitor Visas (Subclass 600) typically take 20 to 33 days, while Student Visas (Subclass 500) average 1 to 3 months. Permanent and skilled visas require much longer, generally spanning 8 to 24 months.

Processing timelines across specific visa subclasses can vary based on application volume, completeness, and required background checks:

• Visitor Visa (Subclass 600): 50% of applications are processed in less than 1 day, with 90% finalized within 20–33 days. Business visitors can expect outcomes in about 23 days.
• Student Visa (Subclass 500): Averages 19 days to 2 months depending on the education sector and offshore/onshore lodgment.
• Working Holiday Maker (Subclass 417 & 462): Can be processed in 1 to 4 weeks, with many approved in less than 1 day.
• Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482): Typically takes between a few weeks to 3 months, with 90% of applications processed in about 84 days.
• Permanent Residence & Partner Visas: Partner visas range from 12 to 24 months, while skilled PR visas (Subclass 189/190) generally take 6 to 18 months.

Always apply well in advance of your intended travel date and ensure your application includes all necessary documents to avoid processing delays. You can review live, updated estimates for all categories directly on the Australian Department of Home Affairs Visa Processing Times page.