Australian Visa Processing Times: Complete Guide 2026
Visa processing times are one of the most searched — and most frustrating — topics in Australian immigration. The Department of Home Affairs publishes estimated processing times, but these are ranges, not guarantees. Your application might be decided in weeks, or it might take over a year, depending on your visa type, completeness of application, and individual circumstances. This guide covers current processing times for every major subclass, explains how the percentile system works, and identifies the factors that speed up or slow down decisions.
Quick Facts: Processing Times
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Published By | Department of Home Affairs |
| Updated | Monthly (approximately) |
| Format | Percentile ranges (25th, 50th, 75th, 90th) |
| Where to Check | immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times |
| Tracking | ImmiAccount application status |
Understanding Percentile Processing Times
The Department reports processing times using percentiles. Here's what they mean:
- 25th percentile: 25% of applications were decided within this time
- 50th percentile (median): Half of applications were decided within this time
- 75th percentile: 75% of applications were decided within this time
- 90th percentile: 90% of applications were decided within this time
If the 75th percentile for a visa is 8 months, it means 75% of applicants received a decision within 8 months — but 25% waited longer. The 90th percentile gives you a more realistic "worst case" for a straightforward application.
Current Processing Times by Visa Type
Visitor and Tourist Visas
| Subclass | Description | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 601 | ETA | < 1 day | < 1 day | 1 day |
| 651 | eVisitor | < 1 day | 1 day | 12 days |
| 600 | Visitor (Tourist) | 18 days | 32 days | 55 days |
| 600 | Visitor (Sponsored Family) | 25 days | 46 days | 75 days |
ETAs and eVisitors are the fastest — most decided within hours. The subclass 600 takes longer, particularly the Sponsored Family stream.
Student Visas
| Subclass | Description | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | Student (Higher Education) | 15 days | 33 days | 52 days |
| 500 | Student (VET) | 21 days | 49 days | 80 days |
| 500 | Student (ELICOS) | 14 days | 28 days | 44 days |
| 500 | Student (Schools) | 30 days | 51 days | 68 days |
| 500 | Student (Postgraduate Research) | 26 days | 44 days | 62 days |
| 590 | Student Guardian | 35 days | 60 days | 90 days |
Higher education sector applications process fastest. VET sector applications take longer on average, partly due to higher scrutiny for Genuine Student assessments.
Working Holiday Visas
| Subclass | Description | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 417 | Working Holiday (first) | 14 days | 23 days | 42 days |
| 417 | Working Holiday (second) | 18 days | 36 days | 56 days |
| 417 | Working Holiday (third) | 19 days | 37 days | 58 days |
| 462 | Work and Holiday | 21 days | 39 days | 62 days |
First-year WHV applications are relatively quick. Second and third-year applications take slightly longer due to verification of specified work.
Skilled Migration Visas
| Subclass | Description | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 189 | Skilled Independent | 6 months | 9 months | 13 months |
| 190 | Skilled Nominated | 5 months | 7 months | 10 months |
| 491 | Skilled Work Regional | 3 months | 5 months | 8 months |
| 191 | Permanent Residence (Regional) | 2 months | 4 months | 6 months |
| 485 | Temporary Graduate (Post-Study Work) | 40 days | 65 days | 95 days |
| 485 | Temporary Graduate (Graduate Work) | 50 days | 80 days | 120 days |
The 491 is currently processed faster than the 189, partly because of government priority for regional visas. The 189 has the longest wait times in the skilled migration category.
Employer-Sponsored Visas
| Subclass | Description | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 482 | TSS (Short-term) | 25 days | 48 days | 82 days |
| 482 | TSS (Medium-term) | 30 days | 56 days | 90 days |
| 494 | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional | 3 months | 5 months | 8 months |
| 186 | ENS (TRT stream) | 5 months | 8 months | 12 months |
| 186 | ENS (Direct Entry) | 6 months | 9 months | 14 months |
The 482 is relatively quick once the nomination is approved. The 186 permanent visa takes significantly longer.
Partner and Family Visas
| Subclass | Description | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 820 | Partner (Onshore - Temporary) | 15 months | 22 months | 28 months |
| 801 | Partner (Onshore - Permanent) | ~2 years from application | — | — |
| 309 | Partner (Offshore - Temporary) | 12 months | 18 months | 22 months |
| 100 | Partner (Offshore - Permanent) | ~2 years from application | — | — |
| 300 | Prospective Marriage | 10 months | 15 months | 20 months |
| 143 | Contributory Parent | 5 months | 8 months | 12 months |
| 103 | Parent (non-contributory) | 25+ years | — | — |
Partner visas are consistently among the slowest to process. The non-contributory parent visa has the longest queue of any Australian visa, with wait times exceeding two decades.
Factors That Affect Processing Speed
Factors That Speed Things Up
Complete application: Applications with all required documents uploaded at the time of submission are processed significantly faster. Incomplete applications sit in queues while case officers wait for information.
Clear documentation: Well-organised, clearly labelled, high-quality document uploads reduce back-and-forth with the Department.
Low-risk profile: Applicants from countries with low refusal rates and no adverse immigration history are generally processed faster.
University sector (students): Student visa applications from the higher education sector process faster than VET sector applications.
Health and police clearances upfront: Providing these at the time of application, rather than waiting to be asked, can significantly speed up processing.
Regional visas: The government has prioritised regional visa processing, and 491 applications are generally faster than 189 applications.
Factors That Slow Things Down
Incomplete application: The number one cause of delays. Missing documents trigger requests for information, adding weeks or months.
External security checks: Some applications are referred for security assessment. These checks are outside the Department's control and can add months.
Complex cases: Applications involving criminal history, previous visa cancellations, health concerns, or other complicating factors take longer.
High application volume: Peak periods (after invitation rounds, after policy changes) create processing backlogs.
Country of origin: Applications from countries with higher risk profiles may receive more detailed assessment.
Requests for additional information: Every time the Department asks for more information, the clock effectively resets for the assessment of that aspect.
How to Check Your Processing Time
ImmiAccount Status
Log into ImmiAccount to see your application status:
- Received: Application received, in the queue
- Further assessment: Under active review
- Information requested: You need to provide something
- Finalised: A decision has been made
Department's Processing Times Page
Visit the Department's official processing times page for current estimates. These are updated approximately monthly and reflect actual processing outcomes.
VEVO
Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) shows your current visa status and conditions, but it doesn't provide processing time estimates for pending applications.
Contacting the Department
If your application has exceeded the published 90th percentile processing time, you can contact the Department to request a status update. Contact methods:
- Online inquiry through ImmiAccount
- Phone helpline (131 881 within Australia, +61 2 6196 0196 from overseas)
- Written inquiry through the Department's feedback form
Note: contacting the Department does not speed up processing. Case officers work through applications in order, and enquiries can actually divert resources. Only contact if you're genuinely outside the published timeframe.
Priority Processing
The Department generally processes applications in the order they're received, but some factors can affect priority:
- Ministerial intervention: Rare, for exceptional circumstances
- Travel urgency: Documented urgent travel needs (bereavement, medical emergencies)
- Government priority: Regional visas and certain occupation shortages may receive priority processing
- Employer urgency: For employer-sponsored visas, documented business needs may be considered
There is no way to pay for faster processing. Any service claiming to offer "fast-track" processing through official channels is misleading.
What to Do While Waiting
Keep Documents Current
If your application is taking a long time, monitor the expiry dates of:
- Police clearances (12-month validity)
- Health examinations (12-month validity)
- English test results (2-3 year validity)
- Passport validity
Renew these proactively if they're approaching expiry. The Department may request updated documents if the originals have expired.
Update Changes
Notify the Department through ImmiAccount if your circumstances change during processing:
- Change of address or contact details
- Change in relationship status
- Birth of a child
- Change in employment
- New criminal conviction or charge
- Change in health condition
Failing to notify relevant changes can result in visa cancellation even after grant.
Bridging Visa Monitoring
If you're in Australia on a bridging visa while your application is processed, ensure:
- You understand your bridging visa conditions (work rights, travel restrictions)
- You apply for a Bridging Visa B before any overseas travel
- You don't let your bridging visa lapse
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my application taking longer than the published time?
Several reasons: your case may involve external security checks, your application may be complex, the Department may be waiting for information from another agency, or there may be a processing backlog. If you're past the 90th percentile, contact the Department.
Can I expedite my visa application?
There's no standard fast-track option. In genuine emergencies (bereavement, medical), you can request priority processing through ImmiAccount or by contacting the Department, but approval is at their discretion.
Do processing times include time waiting for additional information?
The published times generally reflect the total elapsed time from lodgement to decision, including time spent waiting for applicant responses. Applications that require additional information take longer, which is reflected in the higher percentile figures.
Are processing times guaranteed?
No. Published processing times are estimates based on recent processing outcomes. They are not guarantees or service standards. Individual applications may fall outside these ranges.
Should I withdraw and resubmit if processing is slow?
Generally, no. Withdrawing and resubmitting means paying the fee again and going to the back of the queue. Unless your circumstances have materially changed (new qualifications, better English score, etc.), resubmitting is unlikely to result in a faster outcome.
Does a migration agent speed up processing?
Not directly — agents don't get priority processing. However, a good agent submits complete, well-organised applications that avoid delays caused by missing information or incorrectly completed forms. This can indirectly result in faster processing.
