Visa Processing Times: How Long Does It Take for Your Australian Visa to Be Approved?
Why do some people get their visas super fast… and others wait forever?
If you are waiting for your Australian visa and wondering, how long is this going to take? — this blog is for you.
In this article, we will explain how processing times work, what can make your application move faster or slower, the latest real-world timeframes for the most common visas, and some tips to avoid delays.
At Work Visa Lawyers, we have been assisting individuals, families, and businesses with their Australian visas since 2011.
What are visa processing times?
Visa processing times are the estimated periods the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) takes to assess and decide a visa application. These times are published on the Department’s website for most visa subclasses and are updated monthly based on recent applications.
Visa processing times in Australia can often be frustrating and confusing — some people are approved within weeks, while others wait months or even years.
How does the Department of Home Affairs show processing times?
The Department usually gives two figures for each visa subclass:
- 50% of applications processed within X months
- 90% of applications processed within Y months
For example, for the 190 visa in September 2025:
- 50% of applications were processed within 17 months
- 90% of applications were processed within 25 months
This means that half of the applications took up to 17 months, while only 10% took longer than 25 months. This gives you an idea of standard wait times (50%) compared to longer delays (90%).
Does the type of visa affect processing times?
Yes. Some visas are fast, while others are extremely slow.
- At one extreme, Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) subclass 601 visitor visas for certain passports can be decided within minutes, usually within a day.
- In the middle, many skilled visas such as the 189, 190, and 186 can take anywhere from several months to two years.
- The slowest processing times are for Parent visas. For new applications lodged today:
- The Contributory Parent Visa currently has an expected processing time of 14 years, even though it requires a contribution of AUD $48,640 per parent to speed up the process.
- The Non-Contributory Parent Visa has a staggering processing time of 31 years. Sadly, many applicants may not live long enough to see these visas granted.
What factors can affect processing times?
Processing times depend on many factors, including:
- Completeness of your application – Missing documents will slow things down, as the DHA may request additional information. While receiving a request is better than a refusal, it still delays the process.
- Security and character checks – Most visas, except short visitor visas, require police clearances. Failing to provide them causes delays, but bigger delays occur if you have convictions. These cases are referred to the Visa Applicant Character Consideration Unit (VACCU), and may take 1–5 additional years.
- Health requirements – Many visas require medical checks. If there are concerns, the DHA may request further tests, which can significantly delay the process. This area is controversial, as many consider the health rules discriminatory.
- Visa caps and quotas – Some visas, like Parent visas, have low quotas but high demand. This is the main reason processing times can stretch into decades.
- Government policy priorities – At times, certain occupations or visa subclasses are processed faster based on government priorities.
Extra delays due to expired health and character checks
Another common frustration is when health or character checks expire while waiting.
- Health checks are valid for 12 months. Sometimes the DHA accepts older checks at their discretion, but often they require new ones, adding extra costs and delays.
- Character checks (police clearances) also expire and may need to be repeated, creating further delays.
Priority processing
Some applications are prioritised over others. These include:
- Critical skills or shortage occupations
- Government-endorsed or regional employer sponsorships
- Urgent humanitarian or compassionate cases
According to Ministerial Direction 105, skilled visas are processed in the following order of priority:
- Healthcare or teaching occupations
- Employer-sponsored visas where the sponsor has Accredited Status
- Permanent and provisional visa subclasses that count towards the migration program (excluding subclass 188 – Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional))
- All other visa applications
Applications in lower priority groups may exceed standard processing times.
Tips to avoid visa processing delays
- Submit a complete application with all required documents and certified translations
- Complete medical exams and police checks early, when possible
- Respond quickly to any DHA requests for more information
If you want to know more about Australian immigration, check out our YouTube channel — we already have more than 300 videos, and we post new ones every week.
If you’d like to discuss your situation with an immigration lawyer or migration agent, please book an appointment with our team.
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