Last updated: May 2026
Processing times for Australian visas vary significantly by visa subclass, application volume, and the completeness of your application. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) publishes indicative processing times on its website, which represent the time taken to process 75% and 90% of applications lodged in a recent period. These figures change frequently as application volumes and staffing levels shift.
This page consolidates current processing time estimates across all major visa subclasses. We update this article monthly. For the most current official figures, check the Department of Home Affairs processing times page.
Skilled migration visas
Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent
The 189 is an invitation-only points-tested visa. Processing begins after you receive and accept an invitation from SkillSelect.
| Milestone | Time |
|---|---|
| 75% of applications | 6–9 months |
| 90% of applications | 10–14 months |
Processing times vary significantly based on whether a skills assessment and health/character checks are already complete at the time of lodgement. Applicants who lodge a complete application with all documents ready tend to receive outcomes faster.
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated
The 190 requires state or territory nomination before you can lodge. Once nominated and invited, processing is similar to the 189.
| Milestone | Time |
|---|---|
| 75% of applications | 5–9 months |
| 90% of applications | 9–13 months |
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
The 491 is a regional visa that requires state/territory or family nomination. Processing times are comparable to the 190.
| Milestone | Time |
|---|---|
| 75% of applications | 5–9 months |
| 90% of applications | 9–14 months |
Subclass 191 — Permanent Residence (Regional)
The 191 is for holders of 491 or 494 visas who have met the 3-year regional work and residence requirement.
| Milestone | Time |
|---|---|
| 75% of applications | 3–6 months |
| 90% of applications | 6–9 months |
Employer-sponsored visas
Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand (formerly TSS)
Processing times under the Skills in Demand visa framework vary dramatically by stream. This is one of the most significant differences introduced when the 482 TSS was replaced in April 2026.
| Stream | 75% of applications | 90% of applications |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist Skills | 7–30 days | 1–2 months |
| Core Skills | 4–6 months | 6–8 months |
| Essential Skills | Varies (Labour Agreement dependent) | Varies |
The Core Skills stream has experienced significant blow-outs in 2026 due to high application volumes. Employers and workers in this stream are advised to lodge as early as possible and ensure all documents are submitted at the time of lodgement.
Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
| Stream | 75% of applications | 90% of applications |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) | 5–9 months | 9–13 months |
| Direct Entry | 6–12 months | 12–18 months |
| Labour Agreement | Varies | Varies |
Subclass 494 — Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)
| Milestone | Time |
|---|---|
| 75% of applications | 5–9 months |
| 90% of applications | 9–14 months |
Partner and family visas
Subclass 820/801 — Partner (Onshore)
Partner visas are lodged as a combined 820/801 application. The 820 is the temporary visa granted first; the 801 permanent visa is considered after a 2-year waiting period (or 3 years for some couples).
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| 820 grant (temporary) | 19–29 months |
| 801 grant (permanent, after waiting period) | Additional 12–24 months post-820 |
Partner visa processing times are among the longest in the Australian system and have been a source of significant concern for applicants in 2026. Bridging visa A covers applicants during processing.
Subclass 309/100 — Partner (Offshore)
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| 309 grant (temporary, offshore) | 20–30 months |
| 100 grant (permanent) | Additional 12–24 months post-309 |
Subclass 143 — Contributory Parent
The Contributory Parent visa is one of the longest-processing visas in the Australian system due to the queue and the cap on grants per year.
| Milestone | Current estimate |
|---|---|
| Processing time | 5–8 years |
Non-contributory parent visas (Subclass 103) have even longer queues, with some applicants waiting 30+ years. Most parents should discuss their options with a migration agent before deciding which visa to apply for.
Subclass 864/884 — Contributory Aged Parent
| Milestone | Current estimate |
|---|---|
| 884 (temporary) | 12–24 months |
| 864 (permanent) | 3–6 years |
Student and graduate visas
Subclass 500 — Student Visa
Student visa processing times depend heavily on the applicant's country of citizenship and whether they are a genuine student under the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
| Citizenship tier | Typical processing time |
|---|---|
| Assessment Level 1 (low risk countries) | 1–4 weeks |
| Assessment Level 2 | 4–8 weeks |
| Assessment Level 3 | 8–16 weeks |
Processing times can extend significantly if additional information is requested.
Subclass 485 — Temporary Graduate
The 485 processing time depends on whether the applicant lodged before or after the March 2026 fee increase.
| Milestone | Time |
|---|---|
| 75% of applications | 4–8 months |
| 90% of applications | 8–12 months |
High-volume lodgement periods (typically November–February each year) can push processing closer to the 90th-percentile figure.
Visitor and travel visas
Subclass 600 — Visitor Visa
| Milestone | Time |
|---|---|
| 75% of applications | 1–4 weeks |
| 90% of applications | 4–10 weeks |
Business visitor stream applications from high-risk countries may take longer.
Subclass 651 — eVisitor
The eVisitor is an online visa for eligible European passport holders. It is typically granted within minutes to a few days if no manual assessment is required.
Subclass 601 — Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
The ETA processes within seconds for most applicants via the Australian ETA app. Applications requiring manual processing take 1–5 business days.
How to speed up your visa processing
There is no guaranteed way to fast-track most Australian visa applications, but the following actions can reduce unnecessary delays:
- Lodge a complete application — missing documents are the most common cause of additional processing time. Attach all required documents at the time of lodgement.
- Complete health checks and police clearances early — these are required for most permanent visas and can take weeks. Book them before you lodge.
- Respond promptly to requests — if the DHA sends a request for further information, respond as quickly as possible. Delays in responding pause your processing time.
- Use a migration agent — a registered migration agent can review your application before lodgement to identify gaps and reduce the likelihood of additional information requests.
Why processing times change
DHA processing times are not fixed. They can shift due to:
- Changes in application volumes (for example, post-pandemic spikes in partner visa lodgements)
- Staff resources and departmental priorities
- Policy changes that require manual review of affected applications
- Ministerial directions that prioritise certain visa types
The indicative processing times published on the DHA website reflect recent completed cases, not a service standard or guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check the current official processing times?
Visit the Department of Home Affairs global visa processing times page. You can filter by visa subclass to see the current 75th and 90th percentile processing times.
Can I request priority processing for my visa?
Some visa subclasses allow priority processing in exceptional circumstances, such as a medical emergency or critical employment need. Contact DHA directly or speak to a registered migration agent about whether priority processing is available for your visa type.
What is the difference between the 75% and 90% processing time figures?
The 75% figure means 75% of applications were finalised within that time. The 90% figure means 90% were finalised within that time. Most applicants should plan around the 90th-percentile figure to allow adequate buffer.
Does lodging through a migration agent speed up my application?
No, agents cannot expedite processing. However, a registered agent can help ensure your application is complete and correct, reducing the likelihood of requests for further information that add to your wait time.
My visa is taking longer than the published processing time. What should I do?
If your application has exceeded the 90th-percentile processing time with no contact from DHA, you can make a global feedback enquiry via the DHA website. A migration agent can also contact DHA on your behalf if they hold authorisation to act.
Important Disclaimer
The information in this article is intended as a general guide only. Always verify the latest details on the official Department of Home Affairs website or seek help from a registered migration agent.