Commonwealth of Australia
Home Affairs — Department of Home Affairs (Australia)
The Department of Home Affairs is the Australian federal body that decides every Australian visa application and manages border operations through the Australian Border Force (ABF). It was formed in December 2017 by consolidating the former Department of Immigration and Border Protection with several national-security functions.
Parent ministry
Commonwealth of Australia
Established
2017
Last reviewed
20 April 2026
Scope
- Issues all subclass visas, from visitor (subclass 600, 601, 651, 462, 417) to skilled (189, 190, 491, 482, 186, 494) and family routes.
- Runs SkillSelect — the expression-of-interest system for General Skilled Migration points-tested visas.
- Oversees the Migration Review Tribunal (merits review) and reports to the Administrative Review Tribunal on visa refusal appeals.
- Publishes the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), ceiling allocations, and the bi-annual SkillSelect invitation rounds.
Procedural quirks
- Processing times are published as 25th/50th/75th/90th percentile decisions — not a flat "typical" figure — so expect wide variance.
- The Specialist Skills Pathway (high-salary 482) was introduced in December 2024 with a 7-day median processing-time target. Core Skills and Essential Skills streams take substantially longer.
- Visa Application Charges (VACs) are indexed each 1 July; ImmiAccount fees are non-refundable even if an application is withdrawn before a decision.
Primary service channels
Home Affairs main portal
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/
Visa listing
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing
Global processing times
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-processing-times
Visa pricing estimator
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/fees-and-charges/visa-pricing-estimator
Routes administered
Home Affairs decides the following Australia visa routes covered on Global Visa Routes:
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
Employer-sponsored temporary work visa (formerly TSS) with reformed routes from December 2024.
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
Points-based permanent residence visa for skilled workers without employer or state sponsorship.
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
State-nominated permanent residence visa providing a 5-point SkillSelect boost.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
Provisional 5-year regional visa leading to permanent residence via subclass 191.
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
Permanent residence visa for workers nominated by Australian employers.
Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417/462)
Short-term work-and-travel visa for young people from participating countries.
National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent)
Permanent residence for globally recognised high achievers in target sectors — replacement for the former Global Talent visa.
Australian Student visa (subclass 500)
Study visa for international students enrolled at CRICOS-registered institutions.
Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100)
Residence visa for spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.