Commonwealth of Australia
Australia visa processing times
How long does each Australia visa take? Below are the typical decision windows for all 9 routes we track, each sourced directly from Department of Home Affairs (Australia). Click any route to see the full breakdown, including what drives the timeline and whether a priority service is available.
Quick facts: The fastest route is the Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417/462) at 7 days – 2 months. The slowest is the Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100) at 15 months – 2.5 years.
| Route | Typical wait | Sponsor needed? | 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 | No | 2026-06-01 |
| Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) Employer-sponsored temporary work visa (formerly TSS) with reformed routes from December 2024. | 2 weeks – 8 weeks | Yes | 2026-06-01 |
| Australian Student visa (subclass 500) Study visa for international students enrolled at CRICOS-registered institutions. | 4 weeks – 4 months | Yes | 2026-06-01 |
| 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 – 12 months | No | 2026-06-01 |
| Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) Points-based permanent residence visa for skilled workers without employer or state sponsorship. | 6 months – 12 months | No | 2026-06-01 |
| Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) State-nominated permanent residence visa providing a 5-point SkillSelect boost. | 6 months – 12 months | No | 2026-06-01 |
| Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) Provisional 5-year regional visa leading to permanent residence via subclass 191. | 6 months – 12 months | No | 2026-06-01 |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Permanent residence visa for workers nominated by Australian employers. | 6 months – 14 months | Yes | 2026-06-01 |
| 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. | 15 months – 2.5 years | No | 2026-06-01 |
Source authority: Department of Home Affairs — Immigration and citizenship. Processing times are indicative and change without notice — always confirm before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest Australia visa to get?+
Among the 9 routes we track, the Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417/462) has the shortest published decision window at 7 days – 2 months. Processing times are indicative and depend on case complexity, so always confirm the current figure on Department of Home Affairs (Australia).
Which Australia visa takes the longest to process?+
Of the routes we track, the Partner visa (subclass 820/801, 309/100) carries the longest published window at 15 months – 2.5 years. Permanent-residence and family routes typically sit at the slower end, while short-term and points-tested routes tend to be quicker.
Are these Australia processing times official?+
Yes. Every window on this page is the figure published by Department of Home Affairs (Australia), shown with the date it was last checked. The figures are indicative rather than guarantees, and the linked source is authoritative on the day you apply.