Visa Processing Times in Australia (2026 Guide)

It is important to understand that there are two separate timelines in any visa application:

1. Application Preparation (Your Agent's Timeline) This is the time from when you engage your agent to when your application is lodged with the Department of Home Affairs. This is within your agent's control.

2. Department Processing (Government Timeline) This is the time from lodgement to a decision. This is entirely in the hands of the Department and varies significantly by visa type, case complexity, and departmental workload.

Your migration agent can directly influence the first timeline and indirectly influence the second (by submitting a complete, well-organised application that does not require further information requests).

The preparation phase depends on your visa type and how quickly you can provide documents:

Simple visas (1-2 weeks) - Visitor visa (Subclass 600) - Student visa (Subclass 500) — if you already have your CoE - Working holiday visa (Subclass 417/462)

Moderate complexity (2-6 weeks) - Graduate visa (Subclass 485) - Employer sponsored visa (Subclass 482) — if sponsorship is in place - Skilled visa (189/190) — if skills assessment is already completed

Complex visas (4-12 weeks) - Partner visa (Subclass 820/801) — extensive relationship evidence needed - Skilled visa (189/190) — if skills assessment still required (add 6-12 weeks for assessment) - Parent visa (Subclass 143) - Protection visa (Subclass 866) - Business/investor visa (Subclass 188)

These are typical ranges for an experienced agent. Delays usually occur when clients take time to gather documents (employment references, police clearances from overseas, relationship evidence, etc.).

Once your application is lodged, the Department provides estimated processing times. These are current as of early 2026:

Student Visa (500) - 75% processed within: 29 days - 90% processed within: 42 days

Graduate Visa (485) - 75% processed within: 3 months - 90% processed within: 6 months

[Skilled Independent](/visa/skilled-independent-visa) (189) - 75% processed within: 8 months - 90% processed within: 12 months

Skilled Nominated (190) - 75% processed within: 7 months - 90% processed within: 11 months

Employer Sponsored (482) - 75% processed within: 4 months - 90% processed within: 7 months

Employer Sponsored PR (186) - 75% processed within: 8 months - 90% processed within: 14 months

Partner Visa (820) — Temporary - 75% processed within: 14 months - 90% processed within: 22 months

Partner Visa (801) — Permanent - 75% processed within: 24 months - 90% processed within: 31 months

Contributory Parent (143) - 75% processed within: 12 years - 90% processed within: 14 years

Visitor Visa (600) - 75% processed within: 17 days - 90% processed within: 30 days

*Note: These are indicative times from the Department of Home Affairs and can change. Check homeaffairs.gov.au for the latest figures.*

Several factors influence how long the Department takes to process your visa:

Application completeness — This is the biggest factor you can control. A complete application with all required documents, clear evidence, and no gaps processes faster. An experienced migration agent ensures your application is decision-ready from day one.

Case complexity — Applications involving health waivers, character concerns, previous refusals, or complex relationship evidence take longer to assess.

Requests for Further Information (RFI) — If the Department needs additional documents or clarification, processing pauses until you respond. Each RFI typically adds 4-8 weeks to total processing time.

External checks — Health assessments, security checks, and overseas police clearances are processed by other agencies and can cause delays beyond the Department's control.

Departmental workload — Processing times fluctuate based on application volumes, staffing, and policy changes. Times increased significantly during COVID and have been gradually recovering.

Priority processing — Some visa types have priority pathways. For skilled visas, certain occupations may receive faster processing.

While your agent cannot speed up the Department, they can significantly reduce avoidable delays:

1. Complete applications from the start The most common cause of processing delays is incomplete applications that trigger requests for further information. A good agent ensures your application includes everything the Department needs from day one.

2. Correct document formatting Documents that are not correctly certified, translated, or formatted cause delays. An agent knows exactly what format the Department requires.

3. Strategic timing For skilled visas, timing your EOI submission and understanding invitation round patterns can affect how quickly you receive an invitation. For state-nominated visas (190), knowing when states open and close their nomination programs is critical.

4. Proactive communication If the Department requests further information, your agent responds promptly and comprehensively, minimising the delay.

5. Front-loading health and police checks An experienced agent will advise you to arrange medical examinations and police clearances early in the process, so they are ready when needed rather than causing delays later.

While delays are often due to Department processing times, sometimes the agent themselves causes unnecessary delays. Watch out for:

• - Weeks of silence with no updates or communication
• - Your application has not been lodged weeks after you provided all documents
• - Missed deadlines — particularly the 60-day window after a SkillSelect invitation
• - Repeated requests for documents you have already provided
• - Cannot explain where your application is in the process

If you are concerned about delays, ask your agent for: - Confirmation that your application has been lodged (receipt/TRN number) - A timeline of next steps - Copies of any Department correspondence

You have the right to see all documents related to your application. If your agent is unresponsive, you can lodge a complaint with OMARA.

1. Choose an experienced agent who specialises in your visa type — find one in our directory
2. Provide all documents promptly when your agent requests them
3. Arrange health checks and police clearances early — do not wait until lodgement
4. Ensure all documents are properly certified and translated (NAATI-accredited)
5. Respond to Department requests immediately — delays in your response extend processing
6. Keep your contact details current with both your agent and the Department
7. Do not call the Department excessively — this does not speed up processing and can create confusion
8. Be realistic — some visa types simply take time, and no agent can magically speed up the Department