We aim to improve processing times while maintaining program integrity.
Variations in processing times
Processing times vary for many reasons, including:
- If applications have all necessary supporting documents.
- If applications are lodged online or as a paper applications – applying online helps streamline processing.
- How quickly responses for further information are provided.
- How long it takes to receive information from external agencies, particularly relating to health, character and national security requirements.
- For permanent visa applications, the number of places available in the migration program.
- The complexity of a visa application.
- The number of visa applications increases or decreases.
- Changes to Ministerial Directions.
- Deciding older applications increases processing times.
Median processing times for key programs
The information below shows the median visa processing times for key visa categories. This is a combined calculation for a number of different visa programs grouped in each category.
Visa processing times vary between different visa programs within these categories.
Permanent Visa Program
| Visa Category | July 2025 Median processing time
| Comments |
|---|
| Skilled (Permanent) | 8 Months | We are focusing on reducing processing times for all permanent visas. As we are deciding both new and older existing applications, processing times may change each month. This may continue as we progress the oldest applications in the Permanent Visa Program.
|
Partner (Provisional/Temporary)
| 16 Months | We are focusing on reducing processing times for all Partner visas, with a particular focus on deciding older and complex applications. This will affect overall processing times which may change each month. This may continue as we progress the oldest applications in the Partner Visa Program.
|
Temporary Visa Program
| Visa Category | July 2025 Median processing time
| Comments
|
|---|
| Skilled (Temporary) | 4 Months
| We are focused on reducing processing times for all skilled (temporary) visas. Incomplete applications, where we need to request further information, delays the processing of applications. For tips on lodging a complete application, see
Sponsored skilled visa tips and
Check twice, submit once. We are also focussed on deciding older and complex applications. This focus will affect the overall monthly program processing time.
|
Student
| 30 Days | We are processing student visa applications lodged outside Australia under Ministerial Direction No. 111. For more information see About this visa. We recommend applications be lodged well in advance of course commencement and with all supporting documentation. |
| Visitor | Less than 1 Day | N/A
|
Working Holiday Maker
| Less than 1 Day
| N/A
|
How to view processing times
If you have made a visa application you can check processing times information using the visa processing times guide.
Information on processing times for visas is updated regularly as new data is available.
Processing times are available for most visas, except:
- visas that are closed to new applications
- family visas that are
capped and queued
- visas that have too few decisions in the month to provide a reliable indicator of processing times.
To help us process applications as quickly as possible submit all necessary supporting documents at the time of applying.
