The Department of Immigration and Border Protection publishes service standards and aims to finalise 75 per cent of visa and citizenship applications within those timeframes.
Actual processing times are dependent on a number of factors, such as:
- whether you have provided all necessary supporting documents when you lodge your application
- how well and how promptly you respond to any requests for additional information
- how long it takes to complete any required checks on information you have provided to support your application
- how long it takes to receive additional information required from areas outside the department particularly in relation to health, character and national security
- how many places are available in the migration programme.
Information on average processing times at the Australian Embassy is provided below. Please refer to the Department's website for more detailed information.
IMPORTANT: You should not book flights or make travel commitments until you have a visa to travel to Australia. The department will not be liable for any financial loss incurred by clients whose visa application was finalised later than expected or where an application is unsuccessful.
Category |
Visa Description |
Subclass |
DIBP Global Service Standard |
Temporary Visas |
Tourist |
600 |
1 month |
Business visitor |
600 |
5 business days to 1 month |
|
Medical Treatment |
600 |
6 weeks |
|
Student |
500, 590 |
8-9 weeks |
|
Transit |
771 |
5 business days |
|
Permanent Visas |
Partner (Provisional) |
309 |
12-15 months |
Prospective Marriage |
300 |
12-15 months |
|
Dependent Child, Child, Adoption |
445, 101, 102 |
14 months |
|
Aged Dependent Relative, Remaining Relative, Carer |
114, 115, 116 |
These programs are capped and subject to a queue. |
|
New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship |
461 |
3 months |
|
Resident Return |
155, 157 |
2 weeks |
|
Citizenship |
Citizenship by Descent |
|
1 month |
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Page Last Updated: 31 January 2017