Australian Visa Processing Times (May 2026)
Australian visa processing times vary widely by subclass, applicant nationality, and the completeness of supporting evidence. The table below summarises the current average processing wait times for the most common subclasses, drawn from Department of Home Affairs published data and our own caseload tracking. Updated monthly.
Last updated: 1 May 2026. Source: Department of Home Affairs visa processing times dashboard + VisaTasker case averages over the past 90 days.
| Subclass | Name | Average Wait | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 189 | Skilled Independent | 8-12 months | 70-80% within 12 mo |
| 190 | Skilled Nominated | 7-10 months | 85% within 12 mo |
| 491 | Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) | 6-9 months | 88% within 12 mo |
| 482 | Skills in Demand | 1-3 months | 90% within 3 mo |
| 186 | Employer Nomination Scheme | 6-12 months | 75% within 12 mo |
| 187 | RSMS (closed to new) | Transitional applications only | — |
| 500 | Student | 3-6 months | 85% within 6 mo |
| 485 | Temporary Graduate | 4-8 months | 80% within 8 mo |
| 600 | Visitor | 15-30 days | 95% within 30 days |
| 820/801 | Partner (Onshore) | 14-20 months | 65% within 20 mo |
| 309/100 | Partner (Offshore) | 12-18 months | 70% within 18 mo |
| 888 | Business Innovation & Investment (Permanent) | 18-30 months | 60% within 30 mo |
| 188 | Business Innovation & Investment (Provisional) | 24-36 months | 50% within 36 mo |
| BVA | Bridging Visa A | Automatic on lodgement | N/A |
| BVB | Bridging Visa B | 3-10 days | 95% within 10 days |
| BVE | Bridging Visa E | 5-20 days | 90% within 20 days |
| 124 | Distinguished Talent | 12-24 months | 70% within 24 mo |
| 858 | Global Talent | 6-12 months | 75% within 12 mo |
| 887 | Skilled Regional Permanent | 12-18 months | 70% within 18 mo |
Why my visa is taking longer than average
The published averages are exactly that — averages. Processing time on an individual application can be longer if: documents are missing or unclear, a request for further information was issued, the application was lodged offshore in a high-volume post, character or health checks require additional referrals, the subclass is undergoing legislative change, or the case officer has flagged a substantive concern. We’ve seen 482 applications finalised inside 14 days and 188 applications still pending after 4 years.
Confused about which visa fits your case?
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How to speed up your application
- Lodge a decision-ready application. Every document the Department needs should be uploaded at lodgement. Missing evidence is the #1 cause of delays.
- Address character and health early. Federal police clearances and 501 character considerations should be addressed before lodgement, not after.
- Respond to Department requests within the deadline. Section 56 / s24 requests have a stated response window; missing it can cause the case to be decided on incomplete information.
- Avoid requesting priority processing unless eligible. Most priority requests are refused. Submitting one without a strong compelling-reason argument can flag your file for review.
Get a written processing-time estimate for your case
The averages don’t account for your specific situation. A 30-minute consultation with our MARA-registered agent will give you a tailored estimate based on your nationality, document strength, and recent case-officer patterns for your subclass.
Confused about which visa fits your case?
A 30-minute consultation with a MARA-registered migration agent for $85.