The Aussie immigration system is complex, application fees are expensive, and in some cases, visas can take over two years to be processed. Here's how long you can expect to wait when applying for an Australian visa.

Sydney Australia

Visa processing times

The Australian government updates the processing times monthly. Factors such as application volumes, seasonal peaks and complex cases may also affect how long it takes to approve your visa.

Visa subclass

Visa description

75% of applications are processed in:

90% of applications are processed in:

408

Temporary Activity visa (Superyacht Crew)

7 days

16 days

771

Visitor visa – Transit visa

9 days

19 days

408

Temporary Activity visa (Invited for other social and cultural activity)

14 days

22 days

400

Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa

15 days

22 days

408

Temporary Activity visa (Entertainment activities)

13 days

24 days

651

eVisitor

16 days

26 days

600

Visitor visa – Tourist stream

20 days

28 days

417

Working Holiday visa

17 days

30 days

408

Temporary Activity visa (Special Program)

28 days

38 days

482

Temporary Skilled Shortage (TSS) visa – Sponsorship

7 days

41 days

417

Working Holiday visa

27 days

40 days

482

Temporary Skilled Shortage (TSS) visa – Medium-term

31 days

46 days

408

Temporary Activity visa (Sporting activities)

31 days

50 days

482

Temporary Skilled Shortage (TSS) visa – Short-term

35 days

52 days

462

Works and Holiday visa

46 days

62 days

407

Training visa

67 days

76 days

485

Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study work stream)

70 days

90 days

408

Temporary Activity visa (Research activities)

29 days

4 months

485

Temporary Graduate visa (Graduate work stream)

90 days

4 months

408

Temporary Activity visa (Religious work)

68 days

5 months

189

Skilled Independent visa

6 months

7 months

476

Skilled - Recognised Graduate visa

8 months

11 months

186

Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Temporary Residence Transition stream)

11 months

13 months

489

Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visa (State/Territory Nominated visa classes)

10 months

13 months

802

Child visa

11 months

13 months

186

Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Temporary Residence Transition stream)

10 months

13 months

190

Skilled Nominated visa

11 months

14 months

186

Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Direct entry stream)

11 months

15 months

101

Child visa

11 months

15 months

187

Regional Sponsored migration Scheme visa (Temporary Residence Transition stream)

11 months

16 months

887

Skilled Regional visa

16 months

18 months

309

Partner (Provisional) visa

13 months

19 months

300

Prospective Marriage visa

14 months

21 months

132

Business Talent (Permanent) visa

21 months

21 months

187

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (Direct entry stream)

21 months

23 months

801

Partner visa

19 months

25 months

461

New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary) visa

25 months

26 months

100

Partner (Migrant) visa

15 months

27 months

820

Partner visa

23 months

31 months

173

Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa

Applications for these visas are subject to capping and queueing.

Applications for these visas are subject to capping and queueing.

143

Contributory Parent (Migrant) visa

Applications for these visas are subject to capping and queueing.

Applications for these visas are subject to capping and queueing.

864

Contributory Aged Parent visa

Processing times not available.

Processing times not available.

445

Dependent Child visa

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

103

Parent visa

Processing times not available.

Processing times not available.

888

Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa

Processing times not available.

Processing times not available.

188

Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa

Processing times not available.

Processing times not available.

890

Business owner visa

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

124

Distinguished Talent visa

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

858

Distinguished Talent visa

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

891

Investor visa

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

186

Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Labour Agreement stream)

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

892

State or Territory Sponsored Business Owner visa

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

893

State or Territory Sponsored Investor visa

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

408

Temporary Activity visa (Exchange Arrangements)

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

408

Temporary Activity visa (Australian Government Endorsed Events)

Processing times not available.

Processing times not available.

408

Temporary Activity visa (Domestic work for executives)

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

*Processing times are updated monthly and were correct at time of publishing.

See also: An Australian visa for South Africans over 45

Circumstances that affect your visa application processing times

Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis and processing times given by Australian Home Affairs may change due to individual circumstances. Some of the most common situations that could affect how long it takes to process your visa include:

  • Whether you have filled in the application form accurately
  • Whether you have provided and completed all the necessary documents
  • How long it takes officials to perform the required checks on the information provided
  • How long it takes to receive additional information from external agencies

See also: Up your pay Down Under: Plumbers and electricians needed in Australia

Get the right visa, get to Australia

If you want to move to Australia, you’ll first need to determine which visas you qualify for and then decide which one suits your individual circumstances and long-term plans. Australia offers various visas for people who have skills that are in demand, businessowners, partners and dependants.

In November 2019, the Australian government will be launching two new Skilled Regional Provisional visas for skilled migrants. Since there is a very high demand for skilled individuals in regional Australia, visas in the Migration Programme will receive priority processing.

Have a question about which Aussie visa is right for you?

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Get your application approved without any hiccups

Applying for an Australian visa without the correct guidance can lead to wasted time, money and delay your application. One way to ensure your application is processed as smoothly as possible is by speaking to a MARA-registered immigration advisor before you apply. This will ensure you don’t experience any unnecessary delays or extra costs. An immigration agent can also advise you on which visa route is the best one for you and your family.

Ready to pack your bags and head to Australia? Speak to us about your options at migration@sableinternational.com or call us on +61 (0) 38651 4500.

We are a professional services company that specialises in cross-border financial and immigration advice and solutions.

Our teams in the UK, South Africa and Australia can ensure that when you decide to move overseas, invest offshore or expand your business internationally, you'll do so with the backing of experienced local experts.