One of the most frequently asked questions in Australian immigration is "how long will my visa take?" The honest answer is: it depends. Processing times vary significantly by visa subclass, the completeness of your application, your nationality, and DHA's current workload.
Here are the estimated processing times for the most common Australian visas as of 2026. These are based on DHA published data and real-world experience — your individual case may be faster or slower.
Student visas
- Subclass 500 (Student): 1-4 months
- Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate): 2-6 months
Visitor visas
- Subclass 600 (Tourist — low-risk countries): 1-4 weeks
- Subclass 600 (Tourist — higher-risk countries): 1-3 months
- Subclass 601 (ETA): Usually instant to 1 day
Skilled migration visas
- Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent): 6-12 months
- Subclass 190 (State Nominated): 6-12 months
- Subclass 491 (Regional Skilled): 6-14 months
Employer-sponsored visas
- Subclass 482 — Sponsor approval: 1-3 months
- Subclass 482 — Nomination: 1-4 months
- Subclass 482 — Visa application: 1-6 months
- Subclass 186 (ENS — TRT stream): 6-12 months
- Subclass 186 (ENS — Direct Entry): 8-18 months
Partner and family visas
- Subclass 820 (Partner — temporary): 8-18 months
- Subclass 801 (Partner — permanent): 12-24 months after 820 grant
- Subclass 309 (Partner — offshore): 10-22 months
- Subclass 143 (Contributory Parent): 12-24 months
- Subclass 103 (Parent — non-contributory): 15-30+ years
Other visas
- Subclass 417 (Working Holiday): 1-4 weeks
- Subclass 858 (Global Talent): 2-6 months
- Subclass 870 (Sponsored Parent — temporary): 3-6 months
What affects processing times?
- Completeness of your application — incomplete applications take longer because DHA must request additional information. A complete application with all evidence included upfront is processed faster.
- External checks — health examinations and police clearances can add time, especially if you've lived in multiple countries.
- Complexity of your case — cases involving previous refusals, character concerns, or complex relationship evidence take longer to assess.
- Nationality — some nationalities face additional security checks, which can add months to processing.
- Program year allocation — DHA has annual caps for certain visa categories. Once the cap is reached, remaining applications roll into the next program year.
How to speed up your application
- Lodge a complete application with all required documents from day one
- Complete your health examination before or immediately after lodging
- Obtain police clearances in advance
- Respond to any DHA requests within the specified timeframe
- Use a registered migration agent to ensure nothing is missing
A well-prepared application with all evidence included at lodgement is the single most effective way to reduce processing time. For migration agents, LodgeHQ automates document checklists and deadline tracking so nothing falls through the cracks.