Commonwealth of Australia
Australia visa processing times
9 visa routes, each with the typical decision window as published by Department of Home Affairs (Australia). Click through for the source URL, priority-service notes, and the eligibility criteria that drive the timeline.
| Route | Typical window | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417/462) Short-term work-and-travel visa for young people from participating countries. | 7 days – 2 months | 2026-04-20 |
| Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) Employer-sponsored temporary work visa (formerly TSS) with reformed routes from December 2024. | 2 weeks – 8 weeks | 2026-04-20 |
| Australian Student visa (subclass 500) Study visa for international students enrolled at CRICOS-registered institutions. | 4 weeks – 4 months | 2026-04-20 |
| National Innovation visa (formerly Global Talent) Permanent residence for globally recognised high achievers in target sectors — replacement for the former Global Talent visa. | 3 months – 1.0 years | 2026-04-20 |
| Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) Points-based permanent residence visa for skilled workers without employer or state sponsorship. | 6 months – 1.0 years | 2026-04-20 |
| Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) State-nominated permanent residence visa providing a 5-point SkillSelect boost. | 6 months – 1.0 years | 2026-04-20 |
| Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) Provisional 5-year regional visa leading to permanent residence via subclass 191. | 6 months – 1.0 years | 2026-04-20 |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Permanent residence visa for workers nominated by Australian employers. | 6 months – 1.2 years | 2026-04-20 |
| 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. | 1.2 years – 2.5 years | 2026-04-20 |
Source authority: Department of Home Affairs — Immigration and citizenship.